Just got a new Sun Conure and he doesn't like me :(

[ns350]

Hello,

I recently brought home a 3 month old Sun Conure. It's been a few days and he just doesn't seem to like me. Every time I open the cage to get him out, he runs to the back and away. I have still picked him up and tried to cuddle, but he just wants to get out of my hands. If I don't let him out he bites really hard. How do I get him to like me?

 

[Birdman666]

Hello,

I recently brought home a 3 month old Sun Conure. It's been a few days and he just doesn't seem to like me. Every time I open the cage to get him out, he runs to the back and away. I have still picked him up and tried to cuddle, but he just wants to get out of my hands. If I don't let him out he bites really hard. How do I get him to like me?

Sounds like this bird was never really trained or handled. It's common to be hand shy at first...

Food usually works. That gets them used to fingers around the beak without biting them, too. Hands are a good thing. They bring treats and scritchies. These hands don't grab me...

He is scared and disoriented. On his own in a new place.

Sit beside the cage. Talk to him. Wait for the bird to come to you.

If you move too fast, or try too hard you will spook him. The more you force it, the more he is liable to run away and bite.

Give it time!

 

[MonicaMc]

Parrots are not puppies. They often don't automatically like new people.

Birds are prey animals. New things can be scary. Your conure is in a new environment, new cage, new people, new everything! He doesn't know if he is safe or not and forcing him out of the cage is only making him more fearful.



Please, give him time to settle in and learn that he's ok. If need be, cover a part of the cage up so he has a place to hide or put some safe fresh branches inside the cage that he could hide behind.

When he's a little more comfortable, you can offer treats and talk gently to him. If he appears afraid or scared, back off. Try to make every interaction with him or her a positive one.