Choosing a baby conure?

[srdalyssa]

Hello all, this is my first post as I am a prospective "parront."
While I have plans to visit the two bird adoption agencies in my area, they have a notoriously bad reputation for taking deposits and leaving interested adopters in the dark for several weeks, and taking upwards of six months to actually allow the bird to come home. Both of these facilities are very far from me, and while I am fully willing to comply with house inspections, several periodic checkups throughout the following year, etc. I am not willing to pay a deposit and be left without a way to contact anyone at the shelter to arrange visits or get information.
To make a long story short, I may need to purchase my green cheek conure at a store. That being said, I visited a bird store yesterday with the intention of just seeing which birds they have and what might be a good fit in future weeks. They had a four month old green cheek that did not fly away in a panic at the sight of my hand. I visited with him, and he seemed extremely calm. He almost seemed lazy. He would fly away from my finger when I got him to step up, but otherwise he would cling to my chest and shoulder and cuddle near me. This was very endearing, and I loved that he didn't have the urge to nip at any point.
My question is this: What type of behavior should I look for in a young bird when choosing? I have not found a specific answer to this question online, but would it be reasonable to suspect that this bird could be slightly ill? Or, could this just mean he was a little frightened? He also had a little bald spot on top of his head and around his neck. Any insight about choosing a bird is much appreciated!

 

[GaleriaGila]

I'll avoid giving any advice lest your bird turn out like mine! Kidding (mostly)!
Many knowledgeable people will reply, I'm susre, but meanwhile... I think a lot of finding a good match is that mysterious chemistry thing. If you hit it off, feel great, etc., that sounds good to me. That goes for a baby or grown bird. Most of the long-term success will come from how you MANAGE the bird. Again, I'll defer!
Good for you for reaching out!

 

[srdalyssa]

GaleriaGila, I appreciate your perspective! Maybe I shouldn't worry as much. Thank you!

 

[IndySE]

I picked my green cheek almost on a whim... I had researched into them for several months before deciding maybe they might not be the best fit. Then I walk into a petshop, meet Kermit, and fall in love XD I took her home the next weekend.

A lot of it is just who you feel a connection with I guess ! My best birds have always been those that picked me more than the other way around (although, I do wonder if Kermit was just a social bird ! Quite a few people were smitten with her).

Babies very commonly nip. I haven't met one that doesn't to some extent yet. But it's a good sign if your new guy hasn't started yet. Just be warned, he probably will X);

 

[clark_conure]

It's a chemistry thing, but one thing to look for is a bird that doesn't try to bite, that means they have been taking him out of the cage regularly and he/she is used to hands. Also natural curiosity, is he curious in you? is he curious of his surroundings, if you show him an object does he approach it without being to timid?

Probably every or most conures can be trained and will become lovable, but there's nothing wrong with a freebie head start on the basics.

 

[wrench13]

Right, it's always nice to start a relationship when the parrot picks you, but its not a hard core requirement. More important is how you raise the little one. Baby parrots can change their 'favorite person' several time as they grow up.The idea is have the parrot be happy with all members of your family not just one. Exercises like 'pass the warm potato " with all family members present will help desensitize the bird in having everyone handle him. If every one shares in the up keep that helps too. Mom can feed Breakfast, sis can give the afternoon snack, son can give a treat and change papers an water, an Dad can give dinner. Also recommend your new addition eat dinner with you in a cage close to where the family eats. Parrots are flock animals and feeding together can re-enforce that they are a member of this new 'flock' . Salty always eats his dinner ( chop and some Avicakes) with us, his feeding boing is right next to the kitchen breakfast bar.

 

[clark_conure]

Actually I never really thought about that wrench, because when I'm home Clark is always on me or within less than a yard of me, but we do always eat together. Maybe that's also a reinforcing circle of bonding. Like a feedback loop.

 

[srdalyssa]

That you all so much for your help! I guess I was just thinking that because his behavior was a little different from the other babies that he may have been sick. I have a cage on the way and have purchased some toys and food so that when the time is right, I can bring home the one that clicks!

 

[srdalyssa]

Also recommend your new addition eat dinner with you in a cage close to where the family eats. Parrots are flock animals and feeding together can re-enforce that they are a member of this new 'flock' . Salty always eats his dinner ( chop and some Avicakes) with us, his feeding boing is right next to the kitchen breakfast bar.

Salty's got it pretty good! I definitely plan to include the bird in as much as I possibly can. The cage is right by where we eat so that's great! Thanks for the response!