GCC doesn't step up

[aufde]

I just got my conure yesterday so I think he's just nervous, but I got him up on my finger a couple times and when he was back on top of his cage he wouldn't step up. He just clung to it, didn't run away or respond at all. I had to get him back in the cage so I ended up gently grabbing him and pulling him off. I felt like there was a better way, because he really didn't want to move and just clung to the cage. Any advice?

 

[Safira]

Give him time to relax and get use to his new home. Don't try to do too much with him the first few days.. Instead just sit by him and talk, read, sing.. Offer treats.

You're expecting a little too much from him right now Let him settle in.. it can take parrots a long time to really get comfortable, a day is not long enough.

 

[aufde]

So should I leave him in the cage closed for a day or two? I've read that might make it harder to get them out later. He also doesn't like to take treats by hand. He really shied away from my hand, but when I put some sunflower seeds in his food bowl, he went right over and had some.

I was told at the pet store it takes about a week to adjust, does this sound right? or does it depend on the bird?

I was also wondering about music. I've read that they don't like the quiet and you should leave the tv on low volume or some music. But I also read that extra noise can make it harder to adjust. What would be best for the first week or so?

 

[Safira]

If he doesn't want to take treats, or anything from your hand, he isn't going to want to step-up on to it.

Because of how shy he is acting, I would leave him in his cage for at least another day for him to settle down more. Then maybe open the cage door and see if he comes out on his own. He may not come out for a few days, let him decide when he is ready.

It can take some birds over a year to get use to their new home, most pet-stores have no idea what they're talking about. However, with time and patiance, and since yours is young, he might start feeling like its his home in a few weeks.

Remember, he has to get use to a whole new enviorment, new people, a new routine. The more you try to push him to step up and take him out, the more he'll be scared of you.

Sit and talk with him for awhile, get him use to you. If he won't take treats, then just read him a story.

As far as music I always leave the radio on when I'm not home, or the T.V. Mine like cartoons

 

[aufde]

His cage opens at the top and you can put another perch between the top two doors. He'll go up there and sit whenever I open it up, but he still hasn't left the cage area, he'll stay on top of the cage. When he's out he gets real nervous when someone gets close, but he's pretty comfortable with people around while he's in the cage.

 

[ann]

i just got my bird too, i was also worried about the same stuff, trust me it gets better. just give him time, its been a week and mine is much better already. just sit and talk to him, he will perk up soon if hes not using toys yet, just introduce them slowly.

 

[aufde]

It's been 2 days now and he's starting to check the toys out. He gets better everyday all the time. I'm just trying to spend as much time as I can with him.

 

[ann]

it sounds like your doing great !

 

[aufde]

Now he's starting to step up onto one of his perches if I pull it out and then onto my hand. I was going to give him a sunflower seed for a treat because he did a good job. He just grabbed it and threw it... I need to find a treat he likes more. I'm going to try grapes next because I keep reading that a lot of conures love grapes. Any other suggestions for treats if grapes don't work?