Considering a Conure as a pet, need advice on some concerns!

[shadowcat89]

Hi all! Hope this finds you having a good start to the weekend

I am considering getting a Sun Conure as a companion and I have some questions and concerns which I need advice on. These are..

1. I am currently a stay at home Mom and am in the house 90% of the time. Should I begin working and the bird is suddenly left alone all day, each day during the week...will his/her personality change for the worst? Will it have an adverse affect on our bond?

2. Are they very jealous?

3. Are they in the habit of snipping and biting (I've read different things on this and need clarification) ?

4. Should we go on a family vacation or weekend away..will the bird (emotionally) be ok in the care of a trusted friend or family member?

5. Can they be trained to do their business in particular areas?

6. Even if very well behaved..would they gnaw on wood and paper/cardboard? (We have a wooden bar and shelves of LPs..I'm wondering if these things would be in any danger?).

 

[greycloud]

Welcome! In answer to your questions? Yes to all of the above!
All birds can bite- this is their way of showing if they are unhappy, scared or uncomfortable about a situation, will chew anything they have access to, Suns are prone to screaming-loud! Yes you can potty train but I do not recommend it. Some birds develop health issues due to it. Yes, a friend or family member can bird sit. Make sure they have knowledge of possible dangers to birds. There are many. Yes, birds can behave as if jealous, protective. If you spend less time at home with your bird they can become bored, unhappy and sometimes develop bad behaviors.
Now, all that being said, they are wonderful companions and you will always have to work at keeping that bond, changing unwanted behavior and reinforcing good! It is so worth it. Suns are known for their very loud voices and many are rehomed due to this. Make sure you can tolerate it incase it becomes a problem. I recommend you go to you tube and search screaming sun conures.

 

[shadowcat89]

thanks for your reply!

 

[suebee]

sene's are quieter, mine really quiet, but there are some on here that say theres are loud?

but there is not one wooden piece of furniture she has not gnawed on downstairs!! (my fault for not being faster to get to her!)

have you considered other species??

 

[Spiritbird]

I too agree with GC. Yes to all.

 

[artemis]

1. I am currently a stay at home Mom and am in the house 90% of the time. Should I begin working and the bird is suddenly left alone all day, each day during the week...will his/her personality change for the worst? Will it have an adverse affect on our bond?

Your bird will react to spending less time with you, yes. A lot depends on how you deal with the situation. If you teach the bird while it's young how to play with toys by itself, and if you can provide some stimulation while you're away (such as a radio or TV on a timer), you'll have fewer problems.

2. Are they very jealous?

Define"jealous". Like all parrots, some Suns develop a strong preference for only one person. Most don't seem to,though.

3. Are they in the habit of snipping and biting (I've read different things on this and need clarification) ?

YES! All conures tend to be nippy. The behavior can be managed through training, but never totally eradicated. Biting (along with screaming) is one of the top problem issues owners of Sun Conures deal with.

4. Should we go on a family vacation or weekend away..will the bird (emotionally) be ok in the care of a trusted friend or family member?

Most Sun Conures are fairly emotionally resilient birds, and would be fine with that. But every bird is different. This is another area where some advanced training can help. A bird who's used to going different places and who knows how to amuse himself when alone will have fewer issues.

5. Can they be trained to do their business in particular areas?

Some can, yes. Most can be trained not to go on you. But no bird can "hold it" for very long, and it's unfair to make them try. For the bird's health, you have to provide it with frequent access to a potty spot. (And by frequent, I mean every 10-15 minutes!). Birds aren't dogs; their anatomy just doesn't allow them the same degree of control over their elimination habits that our furry companions can manage.

6. Even if very well behaved..would they gnaw on wood and paper/cardboard? (We have a wooden bar and shelves of LPs..I'm wondering if these things would be in any danger?).

****** right a conure will chew on wood and paper. Again, it's instinctive behavior. If you value those items, you will need to keep your conure away from them. (The edges of the LP album covers would probably be in more danger than the wooden bar, but it's never wise to underestimate a parrot's beak.)

Hope this helped! Suns are fun birds, but (like any living creature) they have their quirks and aren't always easy to live with.

 

[SunConureboy]

Artemis has it spot on!

 

[shadowcat89]

Thanks Artemis for the info! Will discuss what you have shared, with my partner. We are visiting a breeder next week, so hopefully we can get a first hand look at the breed's behavior etc.

 

[artemis]

You're welcome, Shadowcat89! Seeing the birds in person before you make your decision is a wonderful idea. Everyone should have the opportunity to hear the noises and experience the activity level of the bird species they're considering before they commit to bringining one home. Some folks discover too late that they just can't take the sound of a Sun Conure's calls, and of course it's the poor bird who suffers for their mistake. You're going to make a great parrot parent, because you're doing your research!

 

[thermodynamic]

sene's are quieter, mine really quiet, but there are some on here that say theres are loud?

but there is not one wooden piece of furniture she has not gnawed on downstairs!! (my fault for not being faster to get to her!)

have you considered other species??

Senegals are quieter than any conure (even GCCs, but not by much), and have great personalities...

I used to have a Senegal. I've wanted to get another since Zoe's death 5 years ago but few breeders exist and I don't want to get one flown from another state, and not all breeders will ship that way thankfully...

Hi all! Hope this finds you having a good start to the weekend

I am considering getting a Sun Conure as a companion and I have some questions and concerns which I need advice on. These are..

1. I am currently a stay at home Mom and am in the house 90% of the time. Should I begin working and the bird is suddenly left alone all day, each day during the week...will his/her personality change for the worst? Will it have an adverse affect on our bond?

2. Are they very jealous?

3. Are they in the habit of snipping and biting (I've read different things on this and need clarification) ?

4. Should we go on a family vacation or weekend away..will the bird (emotionally) be ok in the care of a trusted friend or family member?

5. Can they be trained to do their business in particular areas?

6. Even if very well behaved..would they gnaw on wood and paper/cardboard? (We have a wooden bar and shelves of LPs..I'm wondering if these things would be in any danger?).

1. The bird might initially react - by screaming - but should adjust once the new pattern is established. Alternatively, treat him now like you would if you were gone all day (have plenty of toys in the cage and make a pattern of visiting the bird for a couple of hours during the evening.)

2. They can be jealous. If the bird is young, it's easier to teach them to accept all in a flock (humans or birds). When looking for a bird, find one that takes an active interest in you. That's what Rusty did and he's been a wonderful bird since purchasing.

3. Conures, especially GCCs, can be nippy. All birds bite, but if you use positive reinforcement, biting can be minimized or eliminated. (e.g. reward him completely when he does what you like and ignore him if he tries to bite. Do not make a noise or react strongly to a bite. The bird might misconstrue it as being "fun" and he'll continue to do it.)

4. if there's no boarding option at a vet, it's possible - especially if the bird is well-adjusted. As long as the trusted person knows how to deal with birds and their body language (so if the bird acts afraid, the person shouldn't try to stroke its feathers)

5. It takes time, but it can be done - for this, teach them EARLY. I've never trained mine; "Resolve carpet cleaner" does a good job at cleaning up things...

6. They might. One could cover areas with cloth for the birds to peck at when they're let out of the cage.

Oh, do you have houseplants? Some plants (and human foodstuffs) are toxic to parrots...