I got a Conure! Questions.....

[jsunny]

Hello everyone! I recently adopted a green cheek conure yesterday at a family-owned bird shop (teamed with with a adoption center) for around $200. The previous owner dropped it off with a cockatiel and did not explain the reason why she was giving it up.

The conure was very friendly at the shop and did not show any signs of aggressive traits. However, when I brought it home and placed it in it's cage (we don't know the sex or the age of the bird, they think it is 4 years old), it became extremely aggressive and bit everyone to the point where we started to bleed. However, the conure is sweet once she/he decides to climb on you, unless she/he goes on your head, she begins pecking the heck out of your scalp. So whenever we place our hands near the cage, she/he will hit the cage with its beak a few times and lunge at you. I don't know why it changed personalities so suddenly after bringing it home.

Also I have noticed that in the lower chest/belly area, it looks like it is missing some of the "colorful feathers" and only has gray baby feathers almost. I have attached pictures.

Any advice/help would be awesome! Thank you!

Oh and happy single awareness day!

 

[DannyA93]

You've got to think of this from his perspective. Just imagine if you were with your family for a few years and all of a sudden you were dumped at a pet store and then taken to a new house with all these people you don't know!

When you adopt a bird you also adopt his baggage, go ahead and give him a few days to get use to his surroundings and new family! I'd sit by the cage and hang out doing somethings calm so you don't make him nervous. The goal is to get him used to your presence and voice! You can read him books or even just read your homework out loud so he hears your voice. After he's calmed down and seems more comfortable you can start trying to build a connection!

As for the feathers, those look like down feathers. He may have been bored or neglected at his other home. Nothing that lots of toys, good diet and love won't fix over time.

 

[mh434]

It's going to take some time - weeks or months - for him/her to fully trust you. The striking from within and on the cage is because that's the one thing the bird trusts...his sanctuary, the one place he's sure he's safe.

Take it slow, but sure - as he grows to trust you, his aggression will subside & he'll become the loving bird you were hoping for. We adopted another Conure just over a year ago - he's still in the process of getting to trust us. Every day, we nudge the peanut a little further along...

 

[jsunny]

You've got to think of this from his perspective. Just imagine if you were with your family for a few years and all of a sudden you were dumped at a pet store and then taken to a new house with all these people you don't know!

When you adopt a bird you also adopt his baggage, go ahead and give him a few days to get use to his surroundings and new family! I'd sit by the cage and hang out doing somethings calm so you don't make him nervous. The goal is to get him used to your presence and voice! You can read him books or even just read your homework out loud so he hears your voice. After he's calmed down and seems more comfortable you can start trying to build a connection!

As for the feathers, those look like down feathers. He may have been bored or neglected at his other home. Nothing that lots of toys, good diet and love won't fix over time.

Thank you so much!!

 

[jsunny]

It's going to take some time - weeks or months - for him/her to fully trust you. The striking from within and on the cage is because that's the one thing the bird trusts...his sanctuary, the one place he's sure he's safe.

Take it slow, but sure - as he grows to trust you, his aggression will subside & he'll become the loving bird you were hoping for. We adopted another Conure just over a year ago - he's still in the process of getting to trust us. Every day, we nudge the peanut a little further along...

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[Ann333]

I would agree with both previous posts. Try to stay calm and reassuring around your bird. Talk to it from outside the cage a lot and spend time around his cage all the time. In a few days, slowly put your hand in the cage and offer him to step up. Give him the choice if he does not want to step up I would not force him, if he lunges to bite, then I would hold still until he is done "attacking" then slowly remove my hand and place it outside the cage bars. This will help him realize that he does have a choice to step up and that you are not gong to force him if he is scared, but it also teaches him that biting does not get the result he is hoping for.

 

[mh434]

I look at it this way - there's a natural progression in gaining a bird's devotion, from strange bird/strange humans/new environment to full bonding, following this general path:

- fear, distrust, flight, aggression toward unknown people & situations

- caution/mild avoidance, often mild aggression toward contact; strong cage protection (territoriality)

- curiosity & exploring small interactions, accepting brief personal contact

- trust & increasing personal interaction

- true bonding & love, and desire for prolonged personal contact.

Not all birds start at the beginning, of course, as many will already have been socialized to some degree & have little fear of people from the start. Additionally, some birds progress through this rather quickly, while some may take months or years, depending on their upbringing & individual nature.

Love, attention, closely observing their reactions & responding positively to gain their trust will speed their way along the process.

Just my humble opinion, but it seems to hold true for all the birds we have...

 

[Flboy]

Good info here:
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57935-brainstorming-biting-parrots.html

You may be also dealing with cage aggression, get your baby used to stepping up on a stick. For our Bongo, this is the only way I keep my fingers whole. My JoJo is cranky in the morning, so I use a stick then.