Lack of confidence.

[Obligatedchris]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the community and new to conures.
I've recently acquired a "Jenday Conure" (Re-homed).
I was informed that she is still young, but an age could not be given. Though she still has some baby feathers.
The bird is happy, talkative, active, good tempered and feeds well. Though she is a little destructive.
From day one I have got her to sit on my shoulder and I can see a good friendship forming. She copy's my actions and even takes food from my hands.
Though she seems to have quite an issue with skin contact or getting on to my hand. And dislikes being anywhere near the floor.
She will only touch or get onto the clothed part of my arm.
Can anyone offer advice of how to overcome this?
Regards,
Chris Jackson.

 

[kellie]

time mostly. you have to be patient. It is a new environment, you're a new person, etc. Probably if the baby is still not used to hands and is scared of them, he/she was likely grabbed a lot as a baby. So take it one bit at a time. I used to stick my hand inside Lu's cage, not anywhere near him, and just let it sit there for about 30 seconds, then take it out. Did that over 5 times a day. I would also give him kisses and then kiss my hand in front of him. Sounds weird, but shows him that you think your hand is good. Sometimes they don't realize you and your hand are the same thing. I still don't think Lukah does. besides that, just time and building trust!

Congrats on your new little birdie! Would love to see pictures!

 

[Obligatedchris]

I've uploaded a couple of pictures to my profile

 

[legal_eagle]

How about just letting your bird have his or her personal preferences? Or just see if he comes to feel differently overtime without any particular expectations? It sounds like things are going very well, and skin contact is not necessary for a parrot to have a happy life!

 

[MonicaMc]

She's an adult bird. She could be 8 months old (i.e. no longer has baby feathers), or she could be 2 years old or older... but definitely an adult. If she was very young then she'd be greener.

My Jayde is the same way. She's 3 years old and I've had her for 3 months now. She's afraid of being on hands and is only now getting "ok" with the idea of stepping up onto arms.... but she still tries to stretch for a clothed region of me (i.e. upper arms, shoulders, my chest or back). If I were to cover my arms, she'd still do the same behavior! Cover my hands? She'll bite the snot out of me!


I've been allowing her flights to grow out in the hopes that she'll be able to fly and that will give her confidence... but she only has some of her flights grown out and not enough for her to achieve flight.


It's not that she's afraid of hands for she loves scritches! But she's afraid of being *on* hands.



I've also fed her treats and food by hand. She's ok with taking food from my hand, sometimes will even reach around the treat and bite. However, she's still pretty adamant that the bottom of her foot must not touch my hand! It's ok if the side of her foot touches, but shame on me if the bottom of it touches my hand! LOL



Charlie on the other hand is a confident bird. He's ok wandering the floor, he's ok wandering any part of my body, he's ok wandering a couch and just doing his own thing. Jayde is still pretty scared of doing any of that.