Okay . . .I want to push the envelope a bit . . . .

[Woodcutterron]

Considering I'm not afraid to snatch up a rattlesnake, (for real, not an analogy) I feel kinda silly not trying to get these Conures I have to let me handle them in some manner. On the one hand, I don't want to stress'em out, but on the other hand, I need to be able to handle them.

If I had to assess their feelings toward me, I'd say "Skeptical . . .but the bald dude seems okay . . .for an annoying P.I.A." Not real thrilled with the prospect of getting bit again like I did when I had to buy them, but I can handle it if necessary. What does a parrot do to another parrot if the other parrot bites the crap out of them? Any way to mimic that response?
I don't want to stress them out or fear me, but I want some respect.

Any sensible tips would be appreciated. I have more information in my "Cottonball molt" thread. These guys are kinda growing on me . . .though right now I still want to sell them, to someone who actually knows something about parrots or are at least willing to learn the substantial amount of info needed to raise them well.

I appreciate the help ya'll have already given me here too.

 

[Spiritbird]

You need to earn respect from a companion bird. You do that through the bonding process.

https://companionparrotonline.com/25_nurturing.html

 

[Woodcutterron]

Yes I understand that one must gain respect and bond with our birds that's about the same with any animal. I was looking for practical advice on specific ways on how to do that with parrots. The list, while useful, is general advice. For example "play with your parrot" . . .I'm looking for advice on how I might build up to that.

I've dealt with many animals in the past, including bringing back around horses, dogs cats, and even raccoons with poor behavior/aggression issues, so the concepts aren't foriegn to me.

Much of what I've seen kind of starts from a position of actually being able to handle them. My request is, how do I get there? "Bond with your bird" is more vague than what I'm looking for.

 

[Baby]

It's a long process but definitely a rewarding one. There are many ways to get there, but it all starts by gaining their trust, letting them know that you won't hurt them.

Talk to them while they're in their cage, and if you're up to it sing to them too, let them get used to you (your appearance, your voice etc).

Then you can start with clicker training and rewards. Entice them with spray millet, hold it in your hand and offer it. Every time they reach for it, click so that they understand that the click is associated with positive behaviour. Continue with clicker training allowing them to get used to seeing your hand.

Step-up practices should follow. You may get a few nips along the way but as long as you don't react to the bite, they soon realize the hand isn't so bad. To avoid the biting, some people practice the "earthquake", where they shake their hand to mimic an earthquake to distract the bird from biting. Try it out and see what works for your bird. Daily step up training is essential to getting you to be able to handle them.

There are many books and youtube videos you can take a look at to help you. Here's one that you might want to follow. It's an example of a step by step process on how to build trust with your parrot and in then end be able to handle them. Hope this helps.

[ame=http://youtu.be/qkI9PvOsjS0]YouTube - Building Trust With Your Bird[/ame]

 

[Mike]

I like Baby's response. Let me insert a step in front on her "Step-up practices should follow" step. For birds which you know will bite you I suggest stick training also known as target training. This is not "go fetch" nor is it "beat the bird" training. It is training which involves teaching the bird to touch (bite, nibble, or merely touch) the end of a small dowel. You reward each "touch." This training can be done through the bars of the cage, making it safe for you to train the bird.

Pretty soon the presence of the dowel will distract the bird from any situation in which it might be building up to a bite. You can use the dowel to entice the bird to step up onto your hand or arm, and once there you can use the dowel to distract the bird if it looks like it is about to bite. Couple this with the little earthquake and you will probably eliminate severe biting from your bird time.

One point to make, however, it that any bite, ANY BITE is bad. With the exception of preening or grabing with the beak, you should not tolerate any biting or forceful pinching. It will only get worse.

Take a look at this video for a general idea of the process: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbXHrqqEIp4[/ame]. Look around the web for other examples and papers which will describe the process in greater detail.