New Bird Owner

[MerlinsMama]

Hello Hello!
Well I have never had a conure before, we recently got a Green cheek conure, we named him Merlin.
In preparation I watched some videos, read some articles, etc
The one woman I followed said for the first week not to touch your conure. Not to put your hand in his cage etc - 7 days. I have been following that but it seems he is kind of becoming less friendly for it, like he wanted to be touched alot and all before now you go near the cage and he backs off then comes to the edge and looks to nip.
Is is this best method that I am following? Or should I be interacting with him more? Touching him everyday etc
He does nip a little but has not broken skin though I believe he lets you know he is not always in the mood or maybe he is testing the waters not sure. I know with my other pets when they misbehave or do something I do not like, I ignore them and I do not reward the behavior.
Any advice?

Thanks so much
Dawn

 

[Tami2]

Hi Dawn,

Welcome to you and Merlin. So glad you joined us.

Yes, they need time to adjust to their new environment and this phase can be very scary for them.

Read this thread it is very helpful -
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

When you get a chance please post some pictures of your new baby!

 

[Laurasea]

I touched held by birds on the first day. My rescue sat in my shoulder but didn't like scritchs maybe for a day ? Can rember. It's best to just read body language. GCC can be nippy, watch their body language. Some birds are protective of the cage, and when away from their territory they are sweet birds..
I always use safflower seeds to bribe, GCC can't resist their magic! At least most of em.
Congratulations and welcome

 

[MerlinsMama]

Thank you!
I did not want to do more harm or cause issues that will have to be worked on in the future. This is all new territory for me
Thank you so much and I will definitely post some pics of him soon as I figure out how haha

 

[Tami2]

You're welcome! You wil learn a lot being here.

Check this thread out as well-
http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

 

[clark_conure]

IMO the advice is crap... if a bird is hand raised which most gccs are...just try for it....then again when people ask me about my birds I always complain the trick is getting them off me.... birds are social animals... if a bird is receptive then by all means start the bonding. they are handled all the time in their infancy...

 

[itzjbean]

I don't agree with the advice to not touch the bird for a week. I think it depends on the bird when they want to be handled.

Ember came to me super tame, he wanted to be out with me after one day of catching up on sleep (he flew in a plane to me)

 

[Gemster]

I also, disagree with waiting a week or so to take out your bird. Gemma spent most of the first day interacting with me so that I am not new and scary for the next few days. I did let Gemma hang around In her cage for a few hours, because she was a little nervous and I didn't want to force the interactions.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome!

I am so, so, so glad you found us. You're gonna be a natural here. Merlin sounds like a little darling! I can't wait to follow your cheeky green adventures.

 

[MerlinsMama]

Thank you me too!!!
<3
It seems like there is much to learn but some of it seems similar to dogs, and I spend a lot of time training my pups
:05:

Welcome!

I am so, so, so glad you found us. You're gonna be a natural here. Merlin sounds like a little darling! I can't wait to follow your cheeky green adventures.

 

[MerlinsMama]

Okay, thank you for the advice!
Now the reason I started looking for the first week home advice was because day one he spent out of the cage a lot, the kids held him we all handled him and he enjoyed it. However when he is taken out of the cage like my hubby reached in for him when he took him out, he was nipping him - so I read that when they nip you shake your hand or push gently down on their head and say no then wait for them to settle then return them to their cage, is that sound advice?

Like i said he doesn't bite to hurt but it seems like a 'get off me' thing lol
I should say he is about 3 months old.