So I have recently taken ownership of a Green-Cheek Conure. Not quite a rescue bird, but not well taken care of by the previous owner. Butchered the poor thing's wings (Thankfully nothing permanent) and got little to no attention.
When I first brought him home, he was totally uncomfortable with stepping up and almost anything to do with hands. I had to use a Dowel Rod to move him around. Not because he would bite, but because he just could not step up onto my finger. We eventually got past that and he steps up happily now, but he seems to have shot to the opposite extreme.
He's very active and curious, but he has a bit of an obsession with being held. He will actively insert himself into my hand on a regular basis or perch on my thumb with the rest of my hand covering his back. Or less often, huddled up to my neck. He often won't settle unless he is in a position like this, and when he is he will stay there for as long as I'll let him, preening or napping.
This is obviously adorable as hell, but I'm wondering if this kind of behavior is normal for a conure, or if this is unusual. Most birds I've known hate having their wings covered, but I've never had a conure before so maybe this is just how they are?
When I first brought him home, he was totally uncomfortable with stepping up and almost anything to do with hands. I had to use a Dowel Rod to move him around. Not because he would bite, but because he just could not step up onto my finger. We eventually got past that and he steps up happily now, but he seems to have shot to the opposite extreme.
He's very active and curious, but he has a bit of an obsession with being held. He will actively insert himself into my hand on a regular basis or perch on my thumb with the rest of my hand covering his back. Or less often, huddled up to my neck. He often won't settle unless he is in a position like this, and when he is he will stay there for as long as I'll let him, preening or napping.
This is obviously adorable as hell, but I'm wondering if this kind of behavior is normal for a conure, or if this is unusual. Most birds I've known hate having their wings covered, but I've never had a conure before so maybe this is just how they are?
ps we spend lots of time with him cupped between my hands singing/chatting/even training. I always make sure that he can 'escape' but he always comes back for more. The only thing to beware of is that you don't stroke or pet his body anywhere - just his head.
