New member of the family!

[benton23]

Well, there's a new member of my family as of last night. A beautiful little Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure came home with me last night. She's a little scared of hands, but didn't seem to be afraid to crawl up on to my shoulder. She's already eating this morning, which I'm very happy about. Eating is always good! I'm so excited to have her, and hope she turns out to be my best birdie friend for the next 30+ years! I'm very pleased that even though she was obviously scared of hands, neither at the store or once home did she ever attempt to bite me, though she did express her displeasure with a store employee! She seems to be settling in nicely, and I'll have pictures soon, once she's ready for her first photo shoot, lol. I haven't picked out a name for her yet, so I welcome any suggestions as I really don't have a clue yet. Also, any good tips for the first few days for me and her to start our bonding/training, and to make the transition to her new home as easy as I can?

 

[Birdlover11]

I could just imagine how cute she will be ! My advice for you is that don't handle her too much during her first week so she can have some time getting used to the cage.BUT if she's begging and trying to be with you then take her out as much as you like. I know great names

Lulu
Vanilla
Snowy
Snow
Exotic
Coco
Ginger
Drizzle
Lilly
Lilac
Mango

Can't wait for pictures !

 

[wenz2712]

Congrats on your new addition Look forward to seeing some pics.

Have a look through this list of Names...

For the Love of Birds: Pet Bird Names

 

[strasia93]

CONGRATULATIONS on your new conure! How fun!

Looking forward to seeing pictures.

 

[ConureLady]

I love the name Button for a little girl bird.

 

[benton23]

Thanks everyone! I'm so excited to finally have her. Right now she's still quite skittish, and if I come near the cage she retreats to a corner. I put my hand near her in the cage, and unless I get right near she won't move, and even then it's only to escape, not attack, which I think is a good sign. She's really not interested in trying to bite, which was a concern of mine. So hopefully she'll start to get used to me soon and she can come out for playtime! So far she just wants to eat, lol. Here's a picture I took when I first got her home last night. It's not a great one, and more will come once she's not so scared!

 

[Birdlover11]

She's a cutie ! I think within 2 weeks she will be begging to snuggle with you !

 

[benton23]

Couple new pictures of my new girl. I still haven't settled on a name for her. What do you guys think about "Kira"? Anyways, check out some aborableness while I keep debating!

Doh!! is all I can say about this one. I had to punch a hole in the wall to feel manly again!

She likes her happy hut!

 

[benton23]

Quick question. This morning she let out a handful of high pitched calls, almost sounded like a whistle. I've been looking all over but I haven't found anything conclusive to tell me what kind of calls they are. Anyone else know what they mean?

 

[thermodynamic]

Congrats!

My Rosie was the same way - she was abused by the pet store and loathes hands. It will take a LOT of time to see change, but it will happen. Emotions and trust take time to build, especially with prey species such as parrots...

Can't wait to see the pics!

It's only taken me 2.6 years with Rosie (owned since 03/2010), and it will take more time, not to mention that anything with an anxiety disorder will have a lower lifespan because of it, but she is far more confident that I'm an okay guy. Even if she still has trouble perching on my finger, some of her mannerisms are baked in thanks to the previous abusers' handling.

I know she digs me because she will do somersaults for me to get me to laugh. Especially when she notices I'm in a bad mood or frustrated over our human life stuff. She'll twirl away, I'll laugh and thank her, and she'll do another, and she'll usually get a treat after that - along with more thanks. The pet store only saw this because they put in a webcam to see what she did after everyone left. With what the store clerk told me, how they chased her around - and so casually - I had to contain my frustration. They had no clue and the poor bird was emotionally scarred. I bought the bird, even knowing they would just buy another one. That's why I do mail order these days, but I've noted many local shops don't carry ANY birds (just food, bedding, and toys). Which might not be bad as I can't care for every bird ever hatched, and nobody places any real value in raising these babies right anymore... but before I digress, I will buy some items locally just so they keep carrying them.

She will finally take treats from my hand as well, but I can tell she's still skittish despite it all. But, amongst other little things, I understand she's accepted me (she'll even eat while I do, which is a good sign of flock mentality...)

 

[ConureCrazy]

OMG she is so cute!!!!!!
I love the names:
Willow
Leah
Lilly
Penny
Piper
Lilo (pronounced Leelo.)

That happy hut picture is soooooooooooo adorable!!

 

[benton23]

Well we made some huge progress today. Earlier today she was still scared of my hands, would run to the other side of the cage if they even came near. I finally figured out she's not scared of people, she just doesn't trust hands. I realized this because she would actually allow me to pet her, and scoop her up, but she didn't seem to think one finger could hold her up. One of the employees at the store was very scared of her, so would yank her hands back and use a towel to get her out when needed. So it was a confidence thing. After a bit of effort I got her out of the cage, and two hours later, well, see the pictures! She went from being very suspicious of my hands, to actually stepping up a couple times, and taking treats from my fingers, something she refused to do as early as this morning! She's a total sweetheart, and even when she wasn't happy she didn't ever try to bite. And I've settled on the name "Kira". It just feels right for her. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

On the playgym

She started off a little away from me, but moved over to snuggle up and started nibbling my ear and preening my hair before she started to doze off.

 

[Customcasket]

She's a cutie! I'm glad she's settling in well.

 

[benton23]

Just kidding! Lol, a friend suggested another name, and I actually like it better, so I have rechristened her "Zoey"! Zoey bird, has a nice ring to it, don't you think? And I think I have created a monster already. A cuddle monster that is! She spend the entire evening with me, up on my shoulder, snuggled up next to me, or on me somewhere or somehow while we watched some football. Boy, all those reviews saying how cuddly these birds are weren't kidding, I've seen puppies that didn't like to have this much human contact. She's doing so well, and I'm so happy! Thanks for all the support everyone, you guys are the reason I was well prepared and she's been able to transition in so smoothly. Thank you all so much! Enjoy some cuddle pictures!

Sound asleep