Help with a 5 year old conure!

[KEA]

Hi recently I took in a GC conure. She was used for breeding only so she never was treated as a pet or even given a name. I named her captain hook bc of a old injury from a fight making her lose all her toes on one foot all but one and a half of a toe. I just call her captain.
So I have had her for about 2 months now and she pretty shy I been talking to her trying to make her feel safe and welcomed. The lady that gave her to me said she was 5 and did DNA testing and said it was a girl but the lady thinks its wrong bc she never laid an egg for her.( hints why the lady was done with her) But I dont care about the gender I'm just happy to get her out of that situation. So I been slowly trying to put my hand in and trying to talk to her for awhile now trying to get her to trust me but usually she just runs and hides in her house. But today things changed she now actively trying to come at me and bite me through the bars.
She every active talking to the other birds (I have a Male pineapple conure and a Male cockatiel also) and eats like she should. I want her to trust me enough to be able to let her out of the cage. I dont want her have to live in the cage forever. But I'm afraid if I let her out she will go someplace high up where I cant get to her or just fly around attacking my hair. I dont understand where this sudden aggression has come from.

 

[RemiBird]

Rehabilitation is going to take a long time. I adopted a two year old green cheek conure last year. He was traumatized and confused from being shuffled several times from different places. It has taken a year to earn his trust and change some undesirable behaviors.
Thank you for rescuing this bird. I can't stand people who treat animals as machines that produce offspring. Makes me so upset.

 

[itzjbean]

The sudden aggression is probably because you have been reaching in her cage. Two months is not much time at all and you seem to be forcing your way into her cage when she just isn't ready for that yet.

It is very common for breeder birds to reject human interaction and only want other birds company...that's when happens when they are not interacted with.

You may just have to accept her for who she is, and she may not like you for the time being. That being said, there is a way to gain her trust...but it will just take TIME, PATIENCE, and UNDERTANDING of space and respect.

Always make sure only positive things happen when you are around. Tasty treats from human, mmm! Walk by the cage, offer a bite of something tasty....drop it in her dish and walk away If she won't come to you. She'll learn.

I highly suggest you read through this thread:
Tips for Bonding and Building Trust

I acquired a rescue female cockatiel in December 2018 who was not well taken care of, terrified of hands, frantic anytime I went into the cage to change food and water, but with patience, understanding of her space (moving slowly and calmly whenver around her) and lots of treats, she now comes to the side of the cage happily to accept treats because she knows I won't hurt her. She still won't step up but we are getting there with our trust! I love her even if I can't hold her. If she wants out of the cage, I open the door and she climbs out. I do have to towel her when I put her back in though, but it's generally pretty gentle on her. That being said, it's been almost 6 months and I will not rush her.

You will get there....but 2 months is not enough time! Give her at least 6 to warm up. No more putting your hand in her cage, you are moving too fast for her pace. Slow down, respect her boundaries and make sure only good things happen when you are around.

 

[Talven]

One thing I have learnt with parrots is that they make snap judgments and are very very slow to change their minds.

It sounds like she is starting to fear you a little less which is why the sudden aggression. You aren't so scary as to run away from but scary enough that she needs to make you leave by aggressive behaviour.

A tip that I picked up for trust building is bread crusts. Let her see you take a bite and the offer her a small piece. Also helps that bread is total junk food for them. Food sharing is a flock bonding thing from what I read. Worked pretty well for me with one of my GCC.

 

[RemiBird]

One thing I have learnt with parrots is that they make snap judgments and are very very slow to change their minds.

It sounds like she is starting to fear you a little less which is why the sudden aggression. You aren't so scary as to run away from but scary enough that she needs to make you leave by aggressive behaviour.

A tip that I picked up for trust building is bread crusts. Let her see you take a bite and the offer her a small piece. Also helps that bread is total junk food for them. Food sharing is a flock bonding thing from what I read. Worked pretty well for me with one of my GCC.

I agree with food sharing! It definitely helped Remi and I get closer.

 

[KEA]

Thank you for your help. I know 2 month is definitely not long enough but I understand that I might be coming off alittle strong to her. My cockatiel It took me 6 months to just let me hold him. The vet told me not to show a reaction to the biting. So today I decided to share an apple with her through the bars. She mostly was just wanting to bite my fingers but I fugerd it would best not trying to put my hand in. Also I was not like putting my entire hand in I would just open the door and talk to her and place my hand in the opening. But she did eat the apple alittle pissed that I was beside her but she did want to eat it also.