First large bird, blue crown conure.

[Jason82]

Hello all, first time poster here. My girlfriend and I owned two budgies, and enjoyed them so much that we jumped at the opportunity to adopt an 8 year old BCC. Now the bird was owned by an elderly gentleman, and although physically well-cared for, the bird seemed very emotionally neglected. He seems to be warming up to us, me especially, and cries out when we leave the room. I've read just about everything I can find online about them, but my questions are a little more specific.
Firstly, he's very nervous, he's calmed down ALOT, but the first couple days we had him he was beaking me any time I went close, he doesn't do this any more, but he still edges away when I go near him. How should I go about training him to be handled?
Also, we have two budgies - and since we brought this guy home, he's spent 99.9% of his time near the budgie cage, he spends so much time there I even got him a perch outside of their cage; should I be worried about their contact? Once in a while he kinda stalks them, and pecks at their feathers if they stick out from the cage.

Also, his sleeping pattern is a bit strange, he refuses to sleep in his cage. This is no problem at all, as he's in a safe room and we don't have a problem with him sleeping outside his cage, but is that healthy for HIM? He only goes in his cage to drink water.

Sorry for so many questions, I'm just really concerned with making this guy was comfortable as possible. Overall he seems to be adapting well, I'd just really like to be able to handle him. Thanks in advance for any advice you folks can offer us.

OH, one more thing: he had no cuttlebone in his cage, and he seems like he really needs one - the tip of his beak is really long, problem is he doesn't seem to have any interest in using it. Any way I can encourage him to?

 

[Spiritbird]

I will address one issue I see right away. If the conure was exposed to other birds your keets should be isolated from the new bird. New bird should be in quarantine which you can read about on line.

Be very patient with new bird. He is in a totally new place, new people, new toys, new food and all that. He will come around to you in time. There is a bonding period that can be a few weeks or a few months. They are lovely birds.

Is his cage the one he had before? Most birds will sleep, play and eat in their cage. I suggest you tempt him into cage with food and toy toy treats. Personally, I do not think it is safe for a companion bird to sleep out of the cage. As far as a cuttlebone goes please read the thread I posted in titled Calcium Perch.

Calcium perch

http://birds.about.com/od/livingwithabird/tp/Ways-to-Bond-With-Your-Bird.htm

 

[Jason82]

As far as I know he wasn't around any other birds, should I still seperate them? Cage is the same, although it was rather dirty when I got it, and I've since cleaned it. Used only warm water, no chemicals of any kind. Next time I see him drinking, should I lock him inside the cage? Don't want him to be any more nervous than he already is. Thank you very much for your rapid response.

 

[Spiritbird]

If you are saying as far as I know about this bird being with other birds I would be very cautious. The best thing you can do is take him to an avain vet to be examined. It always better to quarantine a new bird if you do not know the history or are not sure.

 

[kerry]

A conure is not a large bird.

 

[Conurekidd]

Haha no it is not but from budgies they are. I considered my sun my first large bird until I acuired an amazon. And starting working with the shelter handling macaws and toos. Further realized that there huge lol. But I agree wig SB. Vet examination.
It's totally worth the money than the birds life JUST IN CASE something were wrong. Just in case. I 'just in case' my birds all the time.