New bird owner, a few questions

[Birb]

Hello! I've been wanting to purchase a conure for a while, and my family finally decided on a Sun conure. He/she is currently being weaned and should be ready next month (!!!). They are getting shipped from the breeders since they aren't local. I had a few questions, and I figured asking experienced bird owners would be best.
1. What is the best way to introduce a new conure into your home? I've read that leaving them alone in their new cage is best for the first few days. What should we do next? What's the best way to go about the introduction phase?
2. Any good methods of potty training?
3. I've read that it's not good to spend too much time with your bird at first, so they don't always need that same of attention. Like if in a few years our schedules changed and we wouldn't be able to spend 8+ hours a day with them and it'd be like 2-4? I wouldn't want them to become a screamer or anything.
4. How do you discourage unnecessary Sun conure screaming?
5. What's the best way of socializing them? I want them to get along with all members of my family (Mom and two sisters) plus strangers.
6. There will be a cage in our family room and a cage (identical) in my bedroom. The cage in my room is so he can safely sleep. We have a cat and she is a sneaky bugger so I wouldn't leave them alone together. The cage downstairs is so when we are home during the day but aren't directly interacting with him, so he'll still be around us and get to see us. The cat knows not to mess with anything when we are around so they will be safe then. Does that sound like a good plan? This is more of a reassurance question lol.
Thank you all so much, we are all so excited for our little birb! Any tips are so welcome! Our little guy/girl is going to be named Sunday. Our breeders sent us Valentine's day themed pictures yesterday lol. Thanks!

 

[Peppo]

I love the name! You must be so excited...welcome!

 

[Birb]

Thank you, we really are super excited lol!

 

[Crazy]

I have no experience with Sun conures, but I've researched a lot about green cheek conures because I've wanted (and still really want) one! For introducing him/her in your home, for the first few days, you shouldn't be too loud or forceful with it. Let the birdy take its time figuring out its environment and the people around her/him. After a few days you can try to feed it from your hand. If your birdy shows interest in you or if she/he leaves its cage, let it roam! and how do you mean by potty training? From what I've researched, sun conures are the loudest of the conures. I'm not sure how to manage their screaming, but I'm sure someone here on the forums knows! The best way to socialize your birdy, encourage it to be nice to your family and strangers by encouraging people to give your birdy treats, head scritches (scratching the top of their head) and speaking with them. Be aware, though, that limiting your birdy to only yourself or your family, it can become hostile towards strangers. This doesn't always happen though. Conures, like all birds, become depressed when they're lonely. If in a few years you can't give your birdy enough attention, you may consider getting another conure to keep it company! as for the cage and your cat, so long as you're keeping a close eye to your bird (and cat) it should be safe. What I would do is see how your birdy reacts to the cat. If he/she is scared of the cat or even terrified I would relocate the cage or keep the cat away, Otherwise, I think it should be safe. good luck with your birdy. I know you'll love him/her!! Not only are they beautiful but they're very loving and super adorable. I'm sure someone else here on the forums will give you even better answers than mine!!

 

[wrench13]

"1. What is the best way to introduce a new conure into your home? I've read that leaving them alone in their new cage is best for the first few days. What should we do next? What's the best way to go about the introduction phase?
Take them out for a nice cocktail, avoid talking religion or politics

2. Any good methods of potty training?
Electroshock therapy seems to be very effective

3. I've read that it's not good to spend too much time with your bird at first, so they don't always need that same of attention. Like if in a few years our schedules changed and we wouldn't be able to spend 8+ hours a day with them and it'd be like 2-4? I wouldn't want them to become a screamer or anything.
Leave a 8-1/2 x 11 photo of your self by the side of the cage. Works best if you are in swimwear, but nothing too revealing.

4. How do you discourage unnecessary Sun conure screaming?
Gorilla tape works great!

5. What's the best way of socializing them? I want them to get along with all members of my family (Mom and two sisters) plus strangers.
Spend 2 weeks in one of the few remaining Socialist countries left in the world. This was so much easier years ago when the USSR was still around. Alternatively you can sit by the side of his cage and read selected portions of Karl Marx works to them.

6. There will be a cage in our family room and a cage (identical) in my bedroom. The cage in my room is so he can safely sleep. We have a cat and she is a sneaky bugger so I wouldn't leave them alone together. The cage downstairs is so when we are home during the day but aren't directly interacting with him, so he'll still be around us and get to see us. The cat knows not to mess with anything when we are around so they will be safe then. Does that sound like a good plan? This is more of a reassurance question lol
The modern way is to put an identical cage in each room of your huse and use interdimensional transport to move the little guy from room to room, in anticipation of you arriving in that room.

Thank you all so much, we are all so excited for our little birb! Any tips are so welcome! Our little guy/girl is going to be named Sunday. Our breeders sent us Valentine's day themed pictures yesterday lol. Thanks!

OK, OK, so a little fun at your expense. Unlike this response, you will find some very helpful and educated answers from the folks who frequent this board. I know they have helped me quite a bit since we got our Salty. Welcome and have fun! "

 

[Crazy]

Wrench, your tips have helped me miraculously!! Thank you!! lol, like wrench said, someone who is experienced will have great answers for you. Welcome to the forums!!! and good luck with your birdy.

 

[wrench13]

If you think those were helpful, you should read my advice on repairing and tuning motorcycle engines! That 13 is not on the end of my screen name for nothing!
If it can go wrong, it will. If it can't go wrong, I will make it !

 

[Birb]

Bump?
Also we have now found out she's a she! We are also getting a gcc who we've named Rupert. So Sunday is technically my bird and Rupert is my mother's, he is exceptionally friendly! Any help from real life bird owners is appreciated!

 

[plumsmum2005]

"1. What is the best way to introduce a new conure into your home? I've read that leaving them alone in their new cage is best for the first few days. What should we do next? What's the best way to go about the introduction phase?
Take them out for a nice cocktail, avoid talking religion or politics

2. Any good methods of potty training?
Electroshock therapy seems to be very effective

3. I've read that it's not good to spend too much time with your bird at first, so they don't always need that same of attention. Like if in a few years our schedules changed and we wouldn't be able to spend 8+ hours a day with them and it'd be like 2-4? I wouldn't want them to become a screamer or anything.
Leave a 8-1/2 x 11 photo of your self by the side of the cage. Works best if you are in swimwear, but nothing too revealing.

4. How do you discourage unnecessary Sun conure screaming?
Gorilla tape works great!

5. What's the best way of socializing them? I want them to get along with all members of my family (Mom and two sisters) plus strangers.
Spend 2 weeks in one of the few remaining Socialist countries left in the world. This was so much easier years ago when the USSR was still around. Alternatively you can sit by the side of his cage and read selected portions of Karl Marx works to them.

6. There will be a cage in our family room and a cage (identical) in my bedroom. The cage in my room is so he can safely sleep. We have a cat and she is a sneaky bugger so I wouldn't leave them alone together. The cage downstairs is so when we are home during the day but aren't directly interacting with him, so he'll still be around us and get to see us. The cat knows not to mess with anything when we are around so they will be safe then. Does that sound like a good plan? This is more of a reassurance question lol
The modern way is to put an identical cage in each room of your huse and use interdimensional transport to move the little guy from room to room, in anticipation of you arriving in that room.

Thank you all so much, we are all so excited for our little birb! Any tips are so welcome! Our little guy/girl is going to be named Sunday. Our breeders sent us Valentine's day themed pictures yesterday lol. Thanks!

OK, OK, so a little fun at your expense. Unlike this response, you will find some very helpful and educated answers from the folks who frequent this board. I know they have helped me quite a bit since we got our Salty. Welcome and have fun! "

You could have provided a warning! I nearly had an accident!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Bump?
Also we have now found out she's a she! We are also getting a gcc who we've named Rupert. So Sunday is technically my bird and Rupert is my mother's, he is exceptionally friendly! Any help from real life bird owners is appreciated! I've also bumped this post in the conure forum in the hopes or responses!

That'll make you popular !

 

[Birb]

Bump?
Also we have now found out she's a she! We are also getting a gcc who we've named Rupert. So Sunday is technically my bird and Rupert is my mother's, he is exceptionally friendly! Any help from real life bird owners is appreciated! I've also bumped this post in the conure forum in the hopes or responses!

That'll make you popular !

The posts are now consolidated! Sorry don't mean to be a bother. I've done a extensive amount of research, but nothing beats advice from experienced owners. I suppose I'm just anxious as this bird could very well live until I'm 50+. I don't want to start off on the wrong foot.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hope this is this useful?
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/263-conures-species-information.html

 

[Piasa]

Hello - congrats on your new baby!

A bird's voice is one of their tools to communicate, so to keep screaming to a minimum, be alert to what your bird is trying to tell you before they scream. Does he want attention? Wait until she asks nicely, a soft whistle or talking, or doing something cute like holding up a foot or like my conure does, knock on his cage bars. He knocks, and I open the door This takes some time for both you and her to learn, so just be patient and consistent. Also, if a bird can see you, they won't need to call to find out where you are and what you are doing.

Potty training, some birds do this naturally, others you need to give some hints. The easiest way IMO is to put the behavior on cue, like "go poop" and say it immediately after she goes. Then you can ask this of her, and she knows what you mean. Reward her when she listens.

Socializing and getting to know the bird.. you can gauge her comfort level. Don't push her too much when she's new. She has to learn that he can trust you. When she knows you are her friend, expose her to as many kind people as you can. Don't allow them to touch her or hold her yet, let her make that choice. She's a prey animal, her normal instincts tell her people will eat her. Letting her have some control will let her build confidence. When she begins to show interest in others, then ask her to step to them etc.

 

[Birb]

Thank you so much for your help! That's so helpful! My conure is actually now Sunshine and my mom's is Ruben. They both are from the same breeder and just came home! Sweet as pie! Looking forward to many years with them.