New Owner

Phyl6

New member
Apr 4, 2018
6
0
Florida
Parrots
Green Cheek Conure
Hello, I recently became the owner of a GCC (Her Name is Phyllis) and I already love her so much. Sheā€™s been doing good for the most part, I just have a few behavioral concerns and Iā€™m not sure if theyā€™re normal? I was hoping I could get some advice/help..!

She is only 5 months and is also a pet store bird (I know itā€™s better to buy from a breeder, but I was impatient) for any background information. Sheā€™s pretty sassy and mouthy, that meaning she bites.. Iā€™ve been trying to give her her space since Iā€™ve only had her a week, but I do let her climb on me when she feels up for it. The only issue there is when she escapes to my shoulder (I try not to let her but she ends Up getting her way;; ) she likes to nip the back of my neck and when I attempt to get her to step up, she bites up my fingers.. I canā€™t even pick her up because she either bites me more or she digs into my clothes/skin. She has not only bitten my fingers and nails but also all her toys, so maybe itā€™s because sheā€™s young? That was kinda drawn out but that was my question. Is it normal for them to bite like that? Sheā€™s not at all afraid of me or anyone else as far as I can see, itā€™s doesnā€™t seem aggressive? She even does it even when my hand isnā€™t really near her and when she willingly steps up onto me. Halp Meh



(Side note:
Another thing she does is make the ā€œsirenā€-like sound for lack of a better explanation, in other words a loud chirp when I play music or when I sing, is that distressed??

Also sometimes she makes the low noises but doesnā€™t bob her head which is defensive according to other articles Iā€™ve read)
 
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Hello and welcome! Sounds like a typical baby wanting his way! Patience and tolerance is going to be your guide! It takes a while, but until they get a little bit older it gets worse for a little bit but then it gets incredibly easier! Do understand, discipline is something that is very very negative for a little green cheek! They take it as an attack and they will die to hold their ground!
What part of Florida?
 
Welcome to you and Phyllis! Hope youā€™ll share pictures soon.

To build on what David suggests above, this is a great thread about bonding http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html. You are on the right track with trying to keep her off your shoulder while you get to know each other - it can be difficult to get them off the shoulder and itā€™s way too easy to bite up there :). Sheā€™s pretty young and youngsters like to test and touch everything - and parrots test everything with their beaks. Mine chew pretty much everything that they can get their beaks on. I like to make sure they have lots of chewable toys in their cages and on-hand....wood, etc that they can shred.

Phyllis is a smart girl - consistent, positive reinforcement when you see behaviors that you like will go along way to letting her know boundaries. With my three, it has worked well to use short time outs for negative behavior - I set them down on a perch or chair back for short period (a minute or so) and donā€™t look at them. Then I just pick up and carry on with whatever we do next. If the behavior happens again, I set them down and ignore again. It seems to help them understand that play/cuddle/having fun, stops when they bite. Just a few ideas...thereā€™s lots of great threads with a variety of ideas about biting, training, diet and bonding.

Good to have you here, hope to see more of you and Phyllis!
 
Hello and welcome!
Great input above, and that link is one of my favorites, absolutely.
GCCs are enormously (and deservedly) popular. You'll get lots of support here!
Good for you, for reaching out.
 
Welcome and be welcomed. You'll not find better advice on the web about conures. Good luck.
 
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Thank you guys, this is already helpful :) I wasnā€™t expecting to get replies so quickly
 
Hope youā€™ll let us know how itā€™s going as you and she get more comfortable with each other! Oh ya, and I also recommend having ā€œparrot clothesā€, which is what I call everything in my wardrobe that I donā€™t care if they put a hole in it :). I decided early on that I wasnā€™t going to win the battle of teaching 3 conures not to chew on my clothes - I just change when I get home so that I can enjoy my time with them and not worry about it lol.
 
I just got a baby. He is bratty and squaks and bites.
He gets mad if he dont get his way. He bit us the day
My son bought him at the bird fair. He donr bite that hard_
But he is sp brattyšŸ¦šŸ˜
 
The only issue there is when she escapes to my shoulder (I try not to let her but she ends Up getting her way;; ) she likes to nip the back of my neck and when I attempt to get her to step up, she bites up my fingers..

Height equals safety. Chicks especially need that comfort.

Can you.... wear a bird toy necklace? Can she... play with foot toys? Foraging toys?

And if you want her down, then what would be more rewarding to her to come down? Will she step up for millet? Almond slivers? Banana chips? Or?


The behaviors could be anything. It can vary depending on situation and her body language.
 
oh also the noise when you sing......bird love to be singed to, sang to, songed to? whatever. it's a good thing, he's joining you best he can as he figures out vocalizations.
 

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