Are green cheek conures hardy? Or is it an individual thing?

[ChrisH26]

My new green cheek conure, Charlie, came home about three weeks ago. Thing is, I expected her/him to be scared, and planned to take things slowly (Introduce him to everything slowly.) He was comfortable. Wanted to play, even... I mean, I've visited him frequently before taking him/her home but the little guy's not scared or shy at all. All my other birds have been frightened their first days home. Are most gcc's this way or have I got a special individual?

 

[cottontiel]

Sounds like your guy is special. My friend just got a baby green cheek, and she is very cautious. You should feel proud in the fact that your bird is already showing signs of trust! Hopefully that's a projection of your future together~

 

[Dinosrawr]

I think it depends on the bird and how much they've been exposed to. My conure Avery wasn't afraid of anyone and we were playing from day one. She was in a pet store situation however, and was accustomed to constant handling (however poorly it was). She's definitely my go to hand-off bird! It really just depends on what kind of environment the birds are accustomed to as they grow. The more they're exposed to as young birds, the more desensitized they are to high energy and interactive environments and the more adaptable they become.

 

[SilverLining]

Conures in my experience are very open minded to trying new things rather quickly when given an environment in which they feel security and safety. Something that you should pat yourself on the back for. Conures will be timid and slow trusting when they have a reason to be so.

 

[ZephyrFly]

Our Pazu was the same but I hadn't met him before the day I got him. He was hand raised by the breeder and when I went to meet him he just took a proper shine to me, was ultra cute, as a young bird he fell asleep in my scarf as I was at their house. They put together his cage for me and wanted to run down some basics so I was there with them for nearly 2 hours before taking Pazu home and he just wanted to be out with us.
The breeder I met was adamant about GCC's being hardy as long as they aren't over stressed.

 

[Printer bird]

Our green cheek (also a Charlie - GCCs named Charlie are the best!) was a rescue and was super jazzed to be around us and with us right from the start. He had some bad habits like biting to get what he wanted because the family that had him before us didn't know how to train or work with him and used a broom (!!) to get him off of things when he was stubborn. But he was keen to be our friend right away and had a very charming, clownish personality. Enjoy your new little guy!