New Parrot Parent Here!

[ZazuConure]

Help me tame my Green cheek conure named Zazu, he's 2 months old and i got him yesterday, I have put my hand twice inside the cage in a full day both times my hand was inside for 10 mins, he has gotten used to my hand and wont run away unless i make sudden movement or i move fast toward him, he also has nibbled on my finger a little bit with curiosity, but that's the only process i have gotten, 1.him not getting scared of my hand anymore(but he's very cautious when i have my hand in there) 2.him checking out with his beak the top of my finger for like 3 secs, also i haven't used any treats in this process. Now I'm on day 2 and i wanted to ask in general: 1.Is the taming processing the way it should be? 2.Do i continue like this? 3.Can i tame him without treats or do i need to use them?4.do i just go for the step up and put my finger toward his belly or is it still early? Thank you for having me in this Forum I'm looking forward to learn a lot of things here!<3

 

[GaleriaGila]

I won't pretend to offer worthy training advice (my bird has terrorized my every waking moment for 40 years!) but I WILL welcome you to PF and congratulate you on joining and reaching out! You sound like our kind of people!

 

[clark_conure]

I'm not gonna lie, I'd just bribe that bird with treats like I was offering free crack. Being there is great and all, but the human that feeds is the one they need.

It's not shamefull you're building a bond. Offering a treat is not cheating, it's expressing affection. I often come in and bite some strawberry then have them take a bit out. It's building a community and a flock.

Sharing food is a GOOD THING.

I'd just offer food, maybe some target training but conures don't need to need it so much they seem to be pretty confident overall. Just it's a new place and feeling things out.

Conures are sometimes known to challenge bigger birds even to thier own detrement, using treats would change that and be more harmonious.

 

[clark_conure]

also if my recolection of disney films go, ZAZU is a toucan's name but I digress, I suppose its good.

 

[ZazuConure]

I'm not gonna lie, I'd just bribe that bird with treats like I was offering free crack. Being there is great and all, but the human that feeds is the one they need.

It's not shamefull you're building a bond. Offering a treat is not cheating, it's expressing affection. I often come in and bite some strawberry then have them take a bit out. It's building a community and a flock.

Sharing food is a GOOD THING.

I'd just offer food, maybe some target training but conures don't need to need it so much they seem to be pretty confident overall. Just it's a new place and feeling things out.

Conures are sometimes known to challenge bigger birds even to thier own detrement, using treats would change that and be more harmonious.

Thank you for the advise,yeah i asked some local breeders also they said the same thing,i started using treats today and he actually got up on my hand for a few minutes to get the treats,even tho he was trying to aviod getting on my hand i did it in a way that he has too if he wants the food...i hope thats not bad?

 

[ZazuConure]

also if my recolection of disney films go, ZAZU is a toucan's name but I digress, I suppose its good.

Its from lionking, also i named him Zazu bcs its funny as a name and it gives me nostalgia from childhood(also its a catchy name).

 

[wrench13]

Training can have different goals and techniques, but in anything you do with or to your parrot remember this - they are all about trust. Anything you do must be measured against that. And think ahead. You may think he is OK to be out of cage in the house -how will you get him back in if he does not cooperate? Grabbing him or using a towel - trust busters, so before that occurs you need to work closely with him on going in and out of the cage.

 

[ZazuConure]

Training can have different goals and techniques, but in anything you do with or to your parrot remember this - they are all about trust. Anything you do must be measured against that. And think ahead. You may think he is OK to be out of cage in the house -how will you get him back in if he does not cooperate? Grabbing him or using a towel - trust busters, so before that occurs you need to work closely with him on going in and out of the cage.

Thank you for the advise, i am building trust slowly, he does get on my hand and eat from my hand but i still dont get it how do i get him to step up without food?

 

[GoldenDaysAz]

Good Morning! and congrats on your GCC Lots of great input here. As for the fundamental step up, Zazu will learn this quickly. My technique has always simply been this… say the words “step-up” simultaneously while gently pushing up on his chest in an upward motion. only pushing up on his chest WITH the words as you offer your finger, and when you’re not saying the words just have your finger in front of him, but not touching him. The gently pushing up will prompt him to step up as it’s natural for them to want to go up and not fall backward on the perch. I have never had to use treats to do it although, you could offer a treat with the other hand to motivate him upward. Whatever you decide to do be consistent. They like consistency which builds trust. And don’t forget to praise him for every little achievement. Hope that makes sense. Looking forward to hearing about your progress! Lou

 

[ZazuConure]

Good Morning! and congrats on your GCC Lots of great input here. As for the fundamental step up, Zazu will learn this quickly. My technique has always simply been this… say the words “step-up” simultaneously while gently pushing up on his chest in an upward motion. only pushing up on his chest WITH the words as you offer your finger, and when you’re not saying the words just have your finger in front of him, but not touching him. The gently pushing up will prompt him to step up as it’s natural for them to want to go up and not fall backward on the perch. I have never had to use treats to do it although, you could offer a treat with the other hand to motivate him upward. Whatever you decide to do be consistent. They like consistency which builds trust. And don’t forget to praise him for every little achievement. Hope that makes sense. Looking forward to hearing about your progress! Lou

Thank you for the advice that helps, I also wanted to ask its the 3rd day i have him, when i put my hand inside the cage he is not scared or doesn't panic but still when i try to take my finger close to his chest he runs away even when i do it very slowly, should i let him out of his cage and train the step up or do i still try it inside the cage?

 

[GoldenDaysAz]

Thank you for the advice that helps, I also wanted to ask its the 3rd day i have him, when i put my hand inside the cage he is not scared or doesn't panic but still when i try to take my finger close to his chest he runs away even when i do it very slowly, should i let him out of his cage and train the step up or do i still try it inside the cage?

Very good. By what you just described, I would say his comfort zone is still in his cage. I would be patient with him getting used to his new environment. I wouldn’t expect anything of him in the first week. Just let him absorb the changes. I would definitely allow him to explore outside the cage in his own time. Supervised of course so he knows the limits. Always remember you want to develop trust. He is young and in a new environment, not to mention, you are now his new caretaker. be patient. It will all come.

 

[ZazuConure]

Very good. By what you just described, I would say his comfort zone is still in his cage. I would be patient with him getting used to his new environment. I wouldn’t expect anything of him in the first week. Just let him absorb the changes. I would definitely allow him to explore outside the cage in his own time. Supervised of course so he knows the limits. Always remember you want to develop trust. He is young and in a new environment, not to mention, you are now his new caretaker. be patient. It will all come.

Thank you so so much this has really helped as for now i think im going on the right track, if i have any updates i will update you guys, thanks again<3