Where do I begin? I am a complete novice with parrots. I adopted a Sun Conure that a previous owner was going to "let free". Please don't judge them as their story is complex. Their young son was diagnosed with a disease that would not allow him to live past 20. As such they gave him his every hearts desire. One of which was a parrot. When the bird did not instantly bond she (Skittles the afore mentioned parrot) was relegated to the garage where her only interaction was food, water and a cage cleaning when the stench became too much. Upon the young son's passing things only got worse for Skittles. Fast forward, a friend of mine took the bird in but suffered a stroke and again poor Skittles found herself neglected. Enter me. When I first met her she ran to the edge of her cage and kind of "fluttered" her wings. I reached out to her and she allowed me to touch her belly. My stroke victim friend stated she had never let him do that. So here I am a parent of a beautiful bird that likes me but does not trust me. She bites me and is very cage protective when I change her millet or toys, yet rushes to the side of her cage when I enter the room and chatters away. I am here to make her a better life by learning how to do just that. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hello
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SilverSage
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Welcome! Your poor baby! What a rough start in life! I'm
So glad you have her
it's probably going to be a long journey (or maybe not!) but every step is worth it!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So glad you have her
it's probably going to be a long journey (or maybe not!) but every step is worth it!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Flboy
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Welcome!
The little guy will come around!
What part of Florida is home?
The little guy will come around!
What part of Florida is home?
SilverSage
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- Eclectus, CAG, BH Pionus, Maximilian’s Pionus, Quakers, Indian Ringnecks, Green Cheeked Conures, Black Capped Conures, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Budgies, Canaries, Diamond Doves, Zebra Finches, Society F
Welcome! Your poor baby! What a rough start in life! I'm
So glad you have her it's probably going to be a long journey (or maybe not!) but every step is worth it!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So glad you have her
it's probably going to be a long journey (or maybe not!) but every step is worth it!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- Aug 21, 2010
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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome to the forums, thanks for rescuing Skittles!
There is a saying with companion birds that letting them "choose" you is the basis for a great relationship. Skittles seems to have chosen you but will require more than the traditional adjustment period. Begin slowly, earn trust by being consistent and nurturing. A cage-bound bird is naturally protective of its only domain, so provide a nearby playstand or similar safe hangout. Sit nearby, reading softly or watching TV, etc. You'll find much great advice here: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
Feel free to ask specific questions, we're here to help!
There is a saying with companion birds that letting them "choose" you is the basis for a great relationship. Skittles seems to have chosen you but will require more than the traditional adjustment period. Begin slowly, earn trust by being consistent and nurturing. A cage-bound bird is naturally protective of its only domain, so provide a nearby playstand or similar safe hangout. Sit nearby, reading softly or watching TV, etc. You'll find much great advice here: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
Feel free to ask specific questions, we're here to help!
LauraC
New member
Welcome to the forum. I just joined myself. The members have been very welcoming and have offered me some good advice. I am sure you will learn a lot here.
Skittles is lucky you saved her.
Skittles is lucky you saved her.
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Just a quick follow up. Scott; after employing the tips here:
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
Skittles allowed me to scratch her head for the first time. She would not step up but also did not nip when I extended my finger for her to do so. Progress is progress. Thanks again!
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html
Skittles allowed me to scratch her head for the first time. She would not step up but also did not nip when I extended my finger for her to do so. Progress is progress. Thanks again!
Thank you for taking Skittles into your home and heart!! Hopefully Skittles and you become fast friends and the time of neglect will be soon a forgotten memory.
So much great information here. And lots of members with TONS of advice. ...
A vet visit with a Certified Avian Vet is in order to make sure there are no health issues to be concerned about with Skittles. Next would be to make sure her cage is big enough so that she can properly extend her wings all the way and be able to flap without her wings touching the side of the cage. Keeping the cage clean is important and also washing the food and water bowls every day will keep the bacteria and mold away.
How is her diet? Be sure to check out the Food and Recipes forum, tons of great advice on what to feed our birds. Birds (like sun conures) enjoy many fruits and veggies and also cooked legumes and grains. Many members (including me!) make their birds a bird CHOP - a combination of fresh fruits/veggies, legumes, grains chopped up into bite-size pieces along with a high-grade pellet, with a small amount of seeds. Most birds love variety.
Be sure to stay away from certain foods -- NO avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, rhubarb.
Lots of sun conure owners on the forum...so you are not alone on this venture! Again, welcome!!
So much great information here. And lots of members with TONS of advice. ...
A vet visit with a Certified Avian Vet is in order to make sure there are no health issues to be concerned about with Skittles. Next would be to make sure her cage is big enough so that she can properly extend her wings all the way and be able to flap without her wings touching the side of the cage. Keeping the cage clean is important and also washing the food and water bowls every day will keep the bacteria and mold away.
How is her diet? Be sure to check out the Food and Recipes forum, tons of great advice on what to feed our birds. Birds (like sun conures) enjoy many fruits and veggies and also cooked legumes and grains. Many members (including me!) make their birds a bird CHOP - a combination of fresh fruits/veggies, legumes, grains chopped up into bite-size pieces along with a high-grade pellet, with a small amount of seeds. Most birds love variety.
Be sure to stay away from certain foods -- NO avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, rhubarb.
Lots of sun conure owners on the forum...so you are not alone on this venture! Again, welcome!!
plumsmum2005
New member
Welcome to you and Skittles, thanks for giving her a home. Well done you are off to a great start but often it is one step forward and two back, dont get down beat though. It's all at Skittles pace, she's the boss, just don't tell her so LOL!
Some more reading for you
http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...friendly-warnings-keep-your-parrots-safe.html
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww25eiv.htm
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/
Some more reading for you
http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...friendly-warnings-keep-your-parrots-safe.html
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww25eiv.htm
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/
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Tami2
Well-known member
Hello & welcome. I am new to the group as well. How wonderful for skittles that she found you. Her life is about to change for the better thanks to you. She has waited long enough. I look forward to following her journey now that she's in the proper placement.
Best of luck to you both!!
~Tami
Best of luck to you both!!
~Tami
Hello, welcome, and THANK YOU for taking this little bird in, AND for sharing this WONDERFUL story! You're on my hero list.
DoubleTake
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R.I.P Lily 3/1/2018 - You were my sweet baby.
Welcome and thank you for coming to her aid. It's great that she lets you touch her and as other stated to let her go at her pace. If you place your hand inside the cage does she go straight to your hand in an aggressively?
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Thank you.
The cage is more than enough I believe. It is approximately 24" x 36" and 48" tall. Too tall to fit in the cab of my truck, which leads to the issue if taking her to the vet. At this point I can't get Skittles out of the cage and into a smaller one for transport. Cleaning it has been an experience. I change the paper everyday and give it a full wash down once a week. I have to do that with Skittles in there. So far this has not been an issue because there is plenty of room for her to get out of the way.
As for diet, I have tried various fruits and some greens to no avail. She came with a bag of Harrison's High Potency Fine Pellets and that has been her only food with the exception of millet. She likes to destroy peanut shells but ignores the nut itself.
Thank you.
plumsmum2005
New member
"As for diet, I have tried various fruits and some greens to no avail. She came with a bag of Harrison's High Potency Fine Pellets and that has been her only food with the exception of millet. She likes to destroy peanut shells but ignores the nut itself."
Most if not all parronts avoid peanuts. There can be risks of mold developing in the shell which can be ingested by the bird leading to illness. Perhaps a coconut half would be a substitute.
Most if not all parronts avoid peanuts. There can be risks of mold developing in the shell which can be ingested by the bird leading to illness. Perhaps a coconut half would be a substitute.
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Great information. Thank you. After reading the article I have to wonder if Skittles is really a she? I was told she was a female however from the descriptions I have read the behavior is more like that of a male. Not that it matters to me personally but perhaps she/he might offended. :33:
plumsmum2005
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Sometimes extremely aggressive, others more like a passive nip. The really aggressive attacks have lessened in frequency. Just to be clear I only enter her domain for maintenance at this point. I do put my hands on the outside of the cage in an attempt to get her used to it. I have a feeling she was chased around the cage by her original owner.
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