How to (kindly) catch a conure

[SuperOreoMan]

I've had my green cheeked conure for about a year now, and he's recently started randomly flying off my finger. He's parent raised, so he's always been kind of nervous and almost paranoid, but now he's leaping away with no provocation.
The problem is, when I go to pick him back up, he waddles under my brother's bird's cage, the couch, etc., and I have the hardest time getting him back out. No matter how gentle and patient I am, he takes chunks out of my finger and refuses to step onto a perch (or just jumps off again). After I finally manage to get him out, I feel like he's been left traumatized and me very frustrated. He gets over it very quickly, and goes back to the sweet (albeit rather fearful) bird he usually is.
Another thing he does worries me; he will be aggressive toward others (my mom, dad, brother, sometimes guests; and only while he's IN his cage), but whenever I go to take him out, he usually starts flapping and trying madly to get away from me. I don't think I've done anything to provoke in this kind of reaction, but it's almost like he's afraid of me, yet I know he isn't because whenever someone else is holding him he keeps glancing at me like, Okay, you can take me back any time now… and will actually jump off them to get to me, like I'm the only thing protecting him.
He really is a smart, sweet bird, and I want to make him trust people. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong, but I'm also relatively new to this. If you could help me, that'd be great! Thanks!
SuperOreoMan

 

[Scotty T]

OK, there could be a couple of things going on here.

1) Conures and many birds often choose an owner (Like a dog) and are aggressive to others, this is their way for protecting you. I had a conure and it was very nice to me and when I broke up with my EX and left it with her, the next time I visited, the bird was aggressive with me. It mad me kind of sad.

2) If this was a hand fed/hatched baby it will come around pretty quick, if it was not they tend to be a little more aggressive. If it had a previous owner, it's freaked out and trust no one until it become acclimated.

3) The best thing you can do..... Conures are starved for attention. So, go to his cage offer your finger as to allow him to come to you, don't force or push up against his belly. If he rejects you then walk away. Keeping doing this, some times it will take awhile. Eventually he will get tired of not being played with and will warm up to you. That's when the relationship with start with your baby.

Conures are very independent but need attention. Remember to take signals from your bird. If it doesn't want to be picked up or pet, leave it alone. He/She will eventually let you know when it is time. Once you've established that relationship you'll find the bird won't ever want you to leave the room.

My previous conure wanted us so badly you could hear it make this quiet little cry every time we'd even move to the next room.

Good Luck with your baby and remember offer yourself as a friend, your baby will accept you on his terms.