Need some guidance

BellaMia

New member
Joined
Mar 17, 2025
Messages
5
Reaction score
9
Parrots
Green cheek conure
Hi everyone, I’m a new conure owner, three weeks. She’s 2 years old and I love her to death.
However, she apparently wasn’t hand trained and neglected. When she flys off her cage I have to go running around to find her….I have bird proofed the apartment. When I can hold her she doesn’t bite and loves head and neck rubbed.
When I was younger I raised 6 cockatiels, so I have some experience, But now its a bit harder trying to hand train her. She fears hands, darkness and being covered. I’m much older now and have a problem running after her, yes, she is clipped. She sits close to me now when she’s oh the cage, but moves away when I go near her. I am giving her space and waiting for her to come to me.
Also when I hold her lately she stays on my chest now, of course, she’s being pampered, but I’m concerned that she doesn’t seem to know how to step up. Yes, I do put my finger on her chest,
Thank you for listening.
My real name is Barbara, going by BellaMia, her name!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2080.webp
    IMG_2080.webp
    296.4 KB · Views: 11
  • IMG_2070.webp
    IMG_2070.webp
    138.4 KB · Views: 8
  • IMG_2096.webp
    IMG_2096.webp
    252.3 KB · Views: 8
So cute! Other than wing trimming which you say she is already, you are doing everything you can in that regard unless the trim isn't enough. Can she still fly without being slowed down? Talk to your vet about the trim. I don't like severe trims. Birds should be able to fly. Think of the searching and chasing as good exercise. We could all use that!
If she fears being covered don't cover her. They don't need it. I only cover the very top of the cage.
Always have a night light on in the room. Birds sleep fine with very low light and relative quiet. Pitch darkness isn't desirable or wanted by the bird. Birds can get disoriented in pitch darkness especially when covered completely, and thrash around and get hurt.
Make sure she gets 10 to 12 hours of sleep at night.
If she has a favorite treat like sunflower meats use them as a bribe and reward for stepping up.
Does she step up into a stick perch? A lot of birds don't like hands even when hand raised. I use a stick to move my hand shy birds.
 
So cute! Other than wing trimming which you say she is already, you are doing everything you can in that regard unless the trim isn't enough. Can she still fly without being slowed down? Talk to your vet about the trim. I don't like severe trims. Birds should be able to fly. Think of the searching and chasing as good exercise. We could all use that!
If she fears being covered don't cover her. They don't need it. I only cover the very top of the cage.
Always have a night light on in the room. Birds sleep fine with very low light and relative quiet. Pitch darkness isn't desirable or wanted by the bird. Birds can get disoriented in pitch darkness especially when covered completely, and thrash around and get hurt.
Make sure she gets 10 to 12 hours of sleep at night.
If she has a favorite treat like sunflower meats use them as a bribe and reward for stepping up.
Does she step up into a stick perch? A lot of birds don't like hands even when hand raised. I use a stick to move my hand shy birds.
Thank you for your advise, you’re very sweet. Yes, you are correct, we can all use the exercise, but honey I’m in my 80’s…I just have difficulty getting her when she’s behind furniture…too funny.
I am in the process of getting a stick that looks like her perches, I think that may be less frightening for her.
It looks like the gentleman I purchased her from did a good job with her wings. she can only fly down, but I see her getting stronger, she goes a bit further now. She’s my little diva!
Also, thanks for the advise on only covering the top. We’re in central Florida, and when we begin to use the air again, I won’t be so concerned. Right now it’s still cool here.
I’ll keep in touch and informed, thanks a bunches.
 
I emphasize you and the 'catch me if you can' attitude some birds (mine included) have. I keep emergency treats around house. These include but not limited to pecans, sunflower seeds, ect. Feed a small amount while she's in cage. All the while giving encouragement and whatever command to be used. I just say "come here". It'll take time but getting bird trained come command makes life easier. Won't mean 100% compliance! Birds have individual learning curves and compliance. Regardless of everything, birds have evolved to fly. Flight is very important to some. They'll try no matter what, clipped or not. Have patience and see if there's an actual trigger. My CAg's attitude is 'I have wings. I'll fly if I want too. So there.' This makes her a spontaneous (to me) flying around.
 
All my budgies, even the three hand raised ones, put up a fuss when I need them back in their cages unless it's bedtime and they're tired. I'm trying to prevent mating and let them out in shifts- the boys for 4 hours and then the girls but the mid day round up is very difficult. They play jump the stick, fly back and forth across the room, or run from one side to the other on top of their large cage so I can't reach them. I sometimes need to put a soft baby blanket over them and put them in. Treats or commands don't work with them- none of my budgies are motivated by treats, not even millet spray! These same budgies fly over and land on us and try to eat off our plates all the time.

I think larger parrots are more receptive to treats and training than budgies are. Other members have much more success to share than I do.
 
I emphasize you and the 'catch me if you can' attitude some birds (mine included) have. I keep emergency treats around house. These include but not limited to pecans, sunflower seeds, ect. Feed a small amount while she's in cage. All the while giving encouragement and whatever command to be used. I just say "come here". It'll take time but getting bird trained come command makes life easier. Won't mean 100% compliance! Birds have individual learning curves and compliance. Regardless of everything, birds have evolved to fly. Flight is very important to some. They'll try no matter what, clipped or not. Have patience and see if there's an actual trigger. My CAg's attitude is 'I have wings. I'll fly if I want too. So there.' This makes her a spontaneous (to me) flying around.
Thank you for your response. Birds were born to fly, cute idea leaving treats around. I just want her to come to me without fear. I do not know this little girls past, but I can tell you her present and future, however long that may be for me, is filled with love.
 
Hi everyone. Great news I want to share…Bella had her first little walk around the apartment “0n My Shoulder.” So excited I can’t stand myself!!!
Still won’t come up on my finger. I don’t know what may have happened to this precious little girl, but with a little bit (actually a lot)of love, she’s come a long way in the four weeks I have her.
I have a question. I feed her Harrison’s pellets and Lafabers Nutri-Berries. She’s a very good eater but won’t touch veggies. She does go crazy, as I do, for my Kind Breakfast Protein bars.
They are very nutritious, but I wonder if they’re good for her.
I only use them as a treat.
Also, I’ve bought so many foraging toys, but she screams if I put anything in her majesties palace. If anyone comes into the apartment that she’s never seen, I think the the building shakes a bit. I’ve taken to covering part of the cage which does calm her down. So spoiled yet so unattended, it breaks my heart. The young man who sold her to me really knows very little about her, as he’s only had her for 11 days, told me he has babies being weaned and I can bring her back. No way, she’s my little girl now. I only pray I can give her a good start as we both age.
I’m 81 and live in an independent/assisted facility. I
Thank goodness I’m pretty active and healthy right now, and I know someone here will take care of her if my children don’t. Hopefully by then, and hopefully it’s a long way off, she’ll be house and hand broken.
Once again thanks for listening.
 
That's wonderful! Nothing sweeter than having your bird somewhere on your person! If she enjoyed the ride she'll do it again.
 
Good that you rescued her. Sounds like she was traumatized. Can put something like a Chinese type or similar screen blocking her line of sight to door? This may help her feel less threatened. Nutraberries are a great treat and reward. There's tons of info here on getting parrot to eat veggies. Getting her to eat them will depend a lot on her history. Good luck.
 

Most Reactions

Back
Top Bottom