Hi Everyone!!!

[Kafrn]

Hi all! My name is Kafrn, from Adelaide, Australia, and just 3 days ago we adopted a beautiful Yellow Sided, green cheek Conure who has named herself Cherub. Every time she hears her name she squawks. The breeder says she is 10 weeks old, and she is so friendly! I have a lot of questions though!
We havent clipped Cherubs wings, so she can explore the house and settle in. Every time we walk into the room she flies over to us as fast as she can, and lands on my shoulder. I love how she does this. When we sit down to watch TV in the other room, she sits on my shoulder and nibbles and licks my ear. Then sometimes she will just nibble a bit too hard (It can really hurt). Is there some way I can teach her not to do this? I stay calm etc when she does it, then pick her off my shoulder and put her on my lap. She instantly climbs back up to my shoulder. Will she get bored and not nibble quite so hard soon? Its only occasionally, but boy does it hurt. It seems playful, not aggressive or anything. She also sits on my chest sometimes and just about plays dead. She lies there on her tummy with her eyes closed, and lets me pat her all over, and cup my hands on her etc... does this mean she is happy? Or is she playing dead because she is scared?
Also, she has learned how to get out of her cage! She has learned how to open the door . It takes her a while to do it, but wont give up until she is out of her cage. If we are not around she flies up to the top shelf of the bookshelf and chirps at the teddy bears up there. The guy at the pet shop says this is bad because if she makes friends with the bears she wont want to know us anymore. Is this true?
She seems to hate her cage. If we put her in her cage, she plays with the door for hours to get it open so that she can get out and get back to the bookshelf. We have about 10 toys in her cage for her to play with, and 4 different types of perches. how can we make her feel more comfortable in her cage?
Any info would be a great help! thanks!

 

[antoinette]

Hi Karfn, welcome to a great forum.
The birdie world is a beautiful and rewarding one.
Browse through different post, so much info and tips available.
Cherub sounds so cute, looks most curious.
If she goes onto your shoulder, take her off and say no.
Continue saying no, and be persistent, she will eventually get the message.
Her nibbling is normal, do not worry. All bird nibble, it's natural.
My AG Mishka did the same. I placed a toy on my lap, played with it.
She got curious and came down.
When she climbed back on the shoulder I said no and placed her back on my lap.
It took a while, she no longer goes on the shoulder.
Birds love opening anything in the cage that can be opened.
I purchased keyring locks from a hardware, they work great.
They come is different shapes and sizes.
Playing dead, I think she is just so happy and content. Maybe it's her way of relaxing.
Make sure all her toys are bird safe.
Be aware with the teddy bears, she might start chewing them, fluff could get caught in her throat.
Keep us updated.
Take care