New Sun Concure in the Apartment (gasp)

[Allan Gibbs]

Hello. I'm new here and had a question. Does the demeanor of an Sun Conure change must after a few days in a new environment -specifically my apartment?

First off, I did a lot of research and know Sun Conures are the worst birds for an apartment. I've actually visited two pet stores and watched the behaviors of the Conures (along with another parrot whose shrill clock in at over 110 decibels). In one of the stores, I notice the Sun Conures were rather quiet and appeared in good health. Over a few weeks, I visited the store several times and noticed their behavior was rather mellow. So, I took a big chance and brought one of them to my apartment.

It's been about 48 hours now and the Sun Conure is still very well behavior. My wife and son were home all day Friday and said he only made a few flock calls. I've been home all day (Saturday) and I think he's only made about 15 shrills and I don't mean a few minutes or even seconds of screaming - just 15 screeches that range from 70 db to 100 db on a db meter. So, for a Sun Conure, I think he's pretty well behaved and already has no problem with sitting on my hand or shoulder or letting me hand feed him.

So, going back to my original question. Do you think his demeanor will change over the next few weeks were he comes extremely loud - or did I get a good one? Thanks.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Welcome the the forums,

I don't think there's any reason to expect his calling to change much... it could, but if he's quieter than average now he may remain that way.

Other behaviors may change though. There is a 'honey moon' phase, especially with Arratinga conures. Several months into building a wonderful relationship with a new owner they turn into a devil bird biting like crazy. It's a very odd phase, but it does pass fairly quickly (~a few weeks) when it happens.

This doesn't happen with all Arratinga conures, but it's so common it is worth being aware of. I suspect (though this is complete speculation) that there are hormonal changes that go along with bonding to a new family/mate and this 'devil-bird' phase is just the adjustment period.

Keep up the interactions, and keep him socialized with the whole family and you'll be in good shape. Try to establish routines - birds need routine predictability as much as possible.

 

[Allan Gibbs]

Well, it's been about 3 weeks and my Conure is even more quieter than when he first arrived. The first few days he'd screech maybe about 5-10 times a day - usually when someone come in or leaves.

Now, be barely screechs at all. Maybe on a Saturday or Sunday morning I may get two or three screeches when he realizes I'm home but that's it. May parakeets make much more noise than the concure. It's a really great thing as I live in an apartment and the screeching was big concern for me.

Not that I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth but I do wonder why he's so quiet. He appears healthy and eats well (prefers seeds but likes banannas, grapes, and oranges). He does prefer to say in his cage or on top of it. Doesn't really want to socialize much but doesn't mind stepping up or on to my shoulder. He also seems to like being perched on a patio feed overlooking some plants - but is still very quiet.

So, do I just have a laid back Conure or does he need some kind of therapy?

And with my son:

 

[Spiritbird]

Oh he is gorgeous as most suns are. Why are you concerned about him being a quiet bird? Remember you may be in the honeymoon period like AD told you about. Did you get any history on the bird from the store? I am curious if it was Pet Smart. They seem to carry many suns. Your pics are fantastic and thanks for sharing them with us.

 

[Allan Gibbs]

I'm not too concern with him being quiet. I'm actually more concerned with him staying quiet! I figured after 3 weeks, I thought the honeymoon period would be over and my Conure would have picked up the routine of things.

The pet store was a nearby pet shop. The owner told me the Conure was a year old - but I had a feeling he really wasn't sure either. He primarily cares parakeets, finches, love birds, and previously a female Electus (and then the Conures) on the high end. I have a feeling my Conure is quiet because, while at the shop, he spent most of his time along with his cage mate with no human interaction. Each time I visted the shop (and I was there a lot before I took a chance), both Conures were very quiet.

I doubt many of the birds there are very happy (except the parakeets and finches). I'd like to rescue his cagemate too but I'm afraid the second Conure may be loud or upset the status quote and make both Concures too loud. At 70-100 decibels, that would be a serious problem in my apartment.

If anyone's in the Los Angeles area, the second Conure is located at Birdmans Petshop in Higland Park and would sell for $350 (CA's tax included). He was also selling the female Electus (red/blue) at that price too. At the time, I didn't realize that was a great price for an Electus!

Birdman Pet Shop - Highland Park - Los Angeles, CA

 

[Spiritbird]

Yes they are very good prices. So sorry I am on the snowy east coast. You are very lucky to have found this conure. What did you name the bird?

 

[antoinette]

Hi, welcome to you Allan the birdie !!!
Your bird is adorable mwah
You sure have come to the right place, feel at home.
No therapy is needed I reckon. Maybe he is still settling down, observing everything. I reckon once settle down, he will become more vocal.
I live in an apartment as well, was worried about my African Grey Mishka, being too noisy. Hand reared her, from 6 weeks old. Never had a problem.
Mishka is like a chatterbox, and never stops talking.
A friend, also living in another apartment, had to move because her African Grey was so loud.
Perhaps we are lucky guardians.
Thanks for sharing the lovely pic.
Let us know what you have name the little fella.
Take care

 

[Allan Gibbs]

Name.....umm. I was afraid someone was going to ask that. My wife and I have been stuck on a name. I suggested Sunkist or Montrose (name of our city) and she suggested my father name.....uh.......I'm not sure if that's good or bad because my wife isn't much of a "pet person". I think it's going to be Montrose.

So, if I rescued the other Conure, do you think that would turn them into screechers? The other Conure was just as quiet as Montrose. Oh, when Montrose communicates, it's with very soft "clucks" and usually when I enter the room.

 

[Amp]

I've had my Jenday for two weeks now and I too am getting worried about her being so quiet. I was prepared for a ton of screeching but she is extremely quiet. Don't get me wrong, she does belt out a few good ones but only about two or three times a day and only one or two at a time. But overall she is pretty quiet.

 

[Allan Gibbs]

I've had my Jenday for two weeks now and I too am getting worried about her being so quiet. I was prepared for a ton of screeching but she is extremely quiet. Don't get me wrong, she does belt out a few good ones but only about two or three times a day and only one or two at a time. But overall she is pretty quiet.

I think it's a matter of nature vs. nurture. Their upbringing may have an even more important part in their behavior than their genes.