5 Month Old Green Cheek Conure - Watson

[mark.ohea]

Hello my name is Mark from New Jersey and I have just recently purchased my first bird. He is a 5 month old Green Cheek Conure named Watson. I have always wanted a bird and when the opportunity came I couldn't wait. My girlfriend and her family have a 27 year-old blue fronted amazon named Zack. And getting to know him and see the relationship he has with the family, I knew I wanted a bird. I have been reading through this forum and reading online about how to care for a conure, but I would like to know what you guys have to say what you guys think. I would like to know some good tips and suggestions as to how I should start training him in terms of behavior and him getting used to me? Also when people are around? Before I bought him, the person who was taking care of Watson taught him the"Step-up" technique. My family and I are so excited to welcome Watson into our home! I will post a picture of him up later.

Thanks so much!

Mark

 

[mark.ohea]

Also what kind of treats or positive reinforcements do you use to tell him good job?

 

[smbrds]

Hi Mark and welcome to the forum. GCCs are great birds. I remember my first encounter with birds that made me want them and fell in love. I would just say to practice Stepping Up to get him used to you and others could also practice. I have no first-hand experience with GCCs or conures but someone will chime in. There are quite a few here that have conures as well that would be helpful.

 

[Printer bird]

Welcome! GCCs are great birds. Ours would do anything for a bit of almond - we chopped them up into smaller pieces as a whole almond is too much for training. We used a clicker for training (click = desired behaviour, then reward with an almond piece). If the bird is already trained to step up, it will be easy to get him used to the clicker as you do the step up command, click when he does it, reward with an almond. He'll then associate the click with doing what he's supposed to do, making other training easier. Try target training next. There is a lot of info on clicker training for birds, check it out and enjoy your new little guy!

 

[Shyloh]

First off welcome! I've had my GCC Mika about 4 days now and it was truly the best decision I've made in a long time! If Watson is anything like my Mika, he'll pick things up quickly. Mika is already stepping up with no issues.

 

[Terry57]

Welcome to the forum, Mark and Watson!
My conures love either pine nuts or safflower seeds as treats, and will do anything for them
I'm so glad you joined us and am looking forward to seeing pictures of Watson

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Welcome to the forum Mark and Watson and Congratulations on your new addition to the family. I dont have a GCC but there are lots here who do and you will find lots of help and useful tips here. Looking forward to seeing pics soon of the lovely baby Watson