Conure always wants to be on me

[CharliesDad17]

Hello all! I recently got a green cheek from a breeder about 2 weeks ago. I named him Charlie and he is absolutely precious and I love him. He acclimated very quickly (on the second day he wanted out of his cage and wanted to hang out.) We have quickly bonded and I think this is because I hand fed him a few times and visited him at the breeders house so he knew me. He is very comfortable with strangers because I have slowly introduced friends and family over the last 2 weeks and he is fine climbing on them/ chirping at them. He isn't aggressive really ever unless he is eating in his cage and he doesn't nip too much. Anyway, whenever he comes out of his cage, which is frequently as I am home most of the day, all he wants to do is be on me. This is COMPLETELY fine with me as I know they are social animals and I love my Charlie time. The only thing that's sort of weird is that he doesn't want to do anything but be on me, or someone else. He doesn't play with toys outside the cage and I have to give him his fresh fruits and vegetables in the cage because he is so distracted with wanting to be on me that he will give them one peck and come back on to me even though he is hungry. So while I'm okay with him being on me all the time, I don't want it to become distracting to the point where he doesn't want to explore/ eat outside of his cage. He is a really chill bird and even though I constantly try to play with him (with toys and just myself) he's not super interested even though when he is in the cage he tears stuff apart. He loves being talked to especially when I say his name loudly and stuff and likes TV a lot too, but he always has to be on me, rather than playing or exploring. Is this just his personality? Could he still be acclimating to the new environment? Thank you to anyone that can give me any answers!

 

[Carl_Power]

He just loves you. Alot of Conures love just being on you. Just make sure he does get time in his cage to play too but all seems normal to me. Youve done well with him. Also i imagine he is getting used to the environment yes. It can take time, months but he will get there. He just feels safe on you at the moment x

 

[clark_conure]

Totally normal...what you're saying is you have a well brought up conure who thinks he's people.....the best kind.

There isn't much you can't do with a conure on your shoulder at home that you would otherwise....I'd recommend clipping the wings so he can help you outside and go to mom and pop stores with you as well...

Introduce toys to him on you, my gcc's favorite game is fight the wire-frame plastic ball then throw it into oblivion....

You have a great bird with a good personality....and not for nothing he's happy being bonded, thats more important to him than toys right now, he WILL play with the toys when your not around but...

Let me put it this way your his favorite toy....and you give scratchy....would you want to play with a toy if someone that loves you petted you all the time and showed you the world and protected you and fed you and.......

You're in an excellent place.

 

[clark_conure]

OH....and use this time to work on tricks and speaking! Conures can remember lots of things and learn a pretty impressive vocabulary.....

 

[CharliesDad17]

Thank you both for the great feedback. Feeling much more at ease! Also, clark, I am teaching him a few things. I got him potty trained in a week and he gives kisses. I plan to teach him some tricks soon as well. On him speaking, any tips or tricks to motivate him to speak? Or do I just wait till he possibly says something he likes? Thanks once again!

 

[clark_conure]

The first things I taught were "come on" and "I love you" and "kissy" use them in context and he/she will as well, he never mixes them up....later "what-cha-doing" "come here" he doesn't say bu knows good bird bad bird.....Use the phrases in context...and the bird will learn the context...clark never mixes them up..... they can't mimic like a macaw etc. but they can learn what the phrases mean and use them appropriately.

 

[clark_conure]

like when you get up to go to the kitchen,and he's on your shoulder say come on, come on, when it's cuddle time say I love you, I love you they won't be the parrot Einstein...but they can get at least a dozen phrases and their meanings.

 

[LordTriggs]

Clark no! Bad! You should be very aware that clipped birds fly off from the multitude of lost posts!

Yep Conures LOVE to be on their chosen human friends, sounds like you have a good friend there

 

[Inger]

Clark no! Bad! You should be very aware that clipped birds fly off from the multitude of lost posts!

Yep Conures LOVE to be on their chosen human friends, sounds like you have a good friend there

I think what Lord T. meant to say* was that taking a bird outdoors is risky, even if they’ve been clipped. Spend this time harness training so he can go safely and so you don’t need to take away his abilities to fly. Birds like flying and it’s beautiful to watch.

Congratulations on your new BFF [emoji16]

*not to say I don’t agree with the way LT phrased it.


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[Jen5200]

Sounds like Charlie is a normal conure . I have 3, and they all want to be “on” me. Mine do their playing in their cages - they have playstands all over the house....but nope, I’m the thing while they are out. Clark is right....there’s not much you can’t do with a conure in/on your shirt lol.

I second the notions of training, harness training and teaching words....gives you lots of stuff to do together. Hope you’ll share pics of Charlie!