New Conure bad old habbits

[FabulousBird0828]

I just adopted a new conure from a co-worker and he is not friendly at all. When i went to go get him he had no toys in his cage and from what she was telling me about him, he was never really payed much attention to other than when getting new food and water.. So he's about 5 years old and i've had him on my hand a couple times but he always lunges and bites at you before you can even get close enough to get him out of the cage.

I'm new to conures and their a lot different that cockatiels.( which i have two of and their sweet as pie). Does anyone have any advice on how to train him to be more tame? I've seen videos of conures on youtube and other sites and they are really friendly playful birds. His wings are also not clipped as well..
I'm just kinda lost on this one

 

[Lori]

First I would definately get the wings clipped.
I would step up train with a perch. (for now)
will add more shortly

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Yup, stepping up on a stick or perch like Lori said. Be sure to give lots of praise and rewards (treats).

You can also reward 'calming'. Basically get some good treats he likes and go sit by the cage. If you can get close enough to hand him one without him lunging or being aggressive then do that. If he does lunge, or does any aggressive display just sit and wait for him to calm down, when he does hand him the treat, but he only gets it if he remains calm.

This can teach a couple of things: first, that you are the source of good things. Second, aggressive displays don't work, they should not get any response. Finally, it reinforces calming down.

But more than anything, PATIENCE. Give him time to get used to his new good home, and make sure he has an enriched environment (toys, variety of foods, a good cage). Often just by giving them time in a better environment animals will often come out of their shell on their own.

 

[RSRosey]

I agree. I don't have experience with conures but time and patience have paid off with Oliver (my BFA). Stick training is easier because you can be persistant with out bleeding constantly. (LOL) I also agree with AD on the treat idea. The way to Oliver's heart was definately through his stomach. He will sit with me as long as I have food that he wants. He isn't much of a lap bird though. Pumpkin seeds seem to be his fav so I use those for training. When I first got him he was a seed junkie so I didn't have any thing to use as a treat or reward. Now that he is on pellets and cooked food the only seeds he gets are as rewards. So you might want to find his favorite and remove it from his food and use it as a reward or treat.
Good Luck
Rhonda

 

[FabulousBird0828]

Thank you guys very much. Most helpful for sure. One thing that he has started doing though in the last day is screaming alot. he will just scream out of no where and i think its to get attention bc as soon as i look at him or say his name he will quit ><. little bugger I will deff keep you guys posted on his progress.

I included a pic for you guys to see my gorgeous birdie! anyone know what kind of conure he is?

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Hmm, he's pretty smart. He's already got you trained to respond to screaming ;o)

 

[TexDot33]

The biggest thing to keep in mind with conures is that they are very, very playful ... they will turn everything into a game ... there is the "I scream and you come running" game ... there will be the "I drop it and you pick it up" game ... there is the "you want to strangle my little neck, but I am just too damned cute" game ... Most conures are "treat" driven reward based ... slivered almonds or pecans will work best ... YOU MUST BE CONSISTENT ... reward the behavior you want, ignore the behavior you don't ... and understand that there are some behaviors that you will not be able to train away (screaming, for the most part, is one of these that should never go away, but more controlled) ...

Conure ownership is just like having a two year old ... all the time, and they should be treated and trained the same was as a two year old. Yes, that behavior is acceptable = reward. No, that behavior is not acceptable = being deprived of something, usually attention (without yelling, screaming or any other drama because you must avoid the "you get mad and scream and yell at me and I think it's a lot of fun so I will scream and yell back at you" game)

Conures are amazing birds, very complex, very loving and very trusting ... you have will have to take it slowly, do training on your little birdy's schedule ... and at his pace. Go slowly, don't force, build a trusting bond and you are going to have a wonderful companion.

You have a very beautiful Gold Capped Conure ...

Here is a good "general info" page about conures ... this page focuses on several different specific breeds, but it's great info for all conures ...

http://www.avianweb.com/conureinfo.html

AD, did I forget any of the games that conures play? Help me out if I forgot any ...

Welcome to the forum, I will update your account so that you can post pictures and links and everything else ... you should be good to go in like 24 hours!

:50:

Tex

 

[Auggie's Dad]

How bout the "Eat the keyboard" game, or the "No zipper is safe cause I'm gonna eat it" game...

Auggie's always into something. But one of his favorite activities, which I've been told is a conure thing is his shirt-spelunking. Its fine, till he decides he wants a sky-light - then there goes another shirt.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

The biggest lesson in owning a parrot is that the word 'indestructible' has no meaning. If I left Auggie alone with a bowling ball Im sure I'd come back to find nothing but fine gravel.

 

[TexDot33]

How bout the "Eat the keyboard" game, or the "No zipper is safe cause I'm gonna eat it" game ...

Yeah, you say that and then I think of another one ... the "I'll eat the buttons off your shirt and you have to sew them back on ... " game ... That's a new one for Hamlet and Mac, and I really don't like playing that one ... :58: