paddy the Patagonian conure

[Jules79]

Hi my newest addition is Paddy a Patagonian conure, he is about 20 weeks old and I have had him about 3 weeks.
He was frightened of everything and everyone but is getting better, I can change his food and water without him going mad now, he paces up and down his perch sometimes does that mean he is stressed?
I sit and talk to him a lot and I know it will take time but is there anything else I should be doing to gain his trust. Any advice about these lovely birds would be welcome
Thank you

 

[Christinenc2000]

Hi Jules . I have no advice but did want to welcome you to the Forum.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

Welcome to the forum to you and Paddy. Patagonians are Gorgeous. Do you have any pics of the Handsome Paddy ? There are a few people here who have Patagonians and when they come on snd see your post they will have tons of tips and advice for you. Meanwhile enjoy the forum and if you search through the threads in this section you will find a few about Patagonians

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you!

 

[wrench13]

Hi and welcome. Only tip is the universal one for all parrots. Treats. Figure out what he likes best, and use that treat for taming him and eventualy training him. At first, just give him treat thru the bars. Work up to taking the treat from your hand, then to persuading him to 'step up' onto your finger. Biting gets no treat.

 

[JellyBean]

Welcome - love the name - Paddy, me being from Ireland and all... sounds like you are doing all the right things.. just kindness and patience!!!!! Post us some pics!

 

[Jules79]

Hi thank you everyone, I am trying to find his favourite treats so far he really likes sunflower seeds but is not brave enough to take them through the bars yet.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Try some music, sing along and see how he reacts.

If he likes it dance too and maybe he will join in. worked for me with a stressed Lesser. He is 11 yrs old though but likes the music (especially Radio 2!! LOL).

Plenty of tough toys also as they are very active birds. Oh and a swing.

 

[Nicky76]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Patagonians [emoji3]
We've have our lovely boy since February. Where did you get yours? Take it he is aviary bread?

Our little Archie was from a pet shop who told us he was 18months old and it turns out he's about 20 years old and not in the best shape.

He loves sunflower seeds as treats too, along with dried papaya, banana and pine nuts (not all at once).

I would just sit talking to him with your hand in the cage so he can get used to you, eventually he'll realise you're not a threat. It's taken us lots of time and patience but Archie will now let us scratch his head [emoji4]

They just have to realise there is something nice in it for them [emoji6]


Animals are like little angels sent to earth to teach us how to love

 

[Jules79]

Hi
I got paddy from a pet shop I just saw him and fell in love, he makes some very strange noises sometimes just so cute. I researched the Patagonian and nanday conure as I was not sure which one to get.
I assume he was aviary bred. What do you feed yours on ? At the moment paddy is on a seed diet and only eats the sunflower seeds so am thinking of trying pellets or the soak food (can not remember what it is called ) my others love it.
He has a few toys in the cage that he has just started to take notice of.
I sat and read him some of my son's books yesterday, little red riding hood and a Thomas book lol

 

[Nicky76]

Archie was on seed when we got him but with a bit of perseverance we've got him on Harrison's pellets and fruit and veg now and no seed.

Have you got an avian vet near to you?
We're lucky and we have a fantastic one just an hour away. I would definitely recommend a new bird check up if they do them [emoji4]

Archie loves the piñata's you can get from pets at home

https://vimeo.com/169054425

Ignore the fact that he lives low down that's just because of his bad feet!


Animals are like little angels sent to earth to teach us how to love

 

[Jules79]

We have a good vet about an hour away, I have just ordered some pellets, human grade fruit mix and a few more toys for him and the others. Loved the video so cute.

 

[Weezerj]

It will be difficult to use sunflower seeds as a treat if he is getting them in his meals. Slowly ween him off seeds to veggies/fruit. I also offer a no seed mix throughout the day. I try to feed fresh veggies and fruits daily and don't use pellets, but others do (just personal preference).

Once off seeds, then you will have much better luck when you offer them up as a treat ( I like safflower seeds over sunflower ).

One "trick" I use is to use food processor to chop veggies up very fine then add to a mixture of quinoa/wild rice/couscous. Start out with 70% q/rice/c to 30% veggies and slowly increase the veggie percentage. A good choice for veggies here are peppers (I use jalepenos, Sarano, etc and kale chopped into tiny pieces)

Lots of info in diet section.

Good luck and welcome to the forums!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Sweetcorn and peas are a success with the LPC I have T2T, he also likes a little soaked bread.

 

[Jules79]

Thank u everyone for your advice I am trying different treats at the moment and have changed his seed food to low sunflower seed mix with pellets mixed in.
May sound silly but we got a bigger cage off a friend and he went across within seconds and seems so much happier and more confident, and he likes grapes/sweetcorn thank u all again.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Big PATAGONIAN howdies!!!!!!
There are now 3-4 of them anchored here!!!!
Looking to lots of stories and pictures!!!!!

 

[GaleriaGila]

I'm just gonna mention some things I've learned about Patagonians, from reading and from living with one over 30 years. Just miscellaneous facts in no particular order.

They come from an arid, dry place.. so they're more resistant to household dryness or drafts than most parrots.

Their little pink feet are skinny and not very strong in comparison to other parrots. So they don't climb as well. They're adapted to fly and run. The Rickeybird is as fast as a roadrunner... the lowers his head and ZOOOOMS!

They are usually very cuddly. It's worth patience to show them you're trustworthy at preening.

They are so LOUDDDDD, especially after sexual maturity at about 2-3 years of age. Decibel-wise and constancy-wise, they're a handful. EARFUL.

If you go for a good pellet as staple or supplement, Harrison's High Potency Fine was recommended by all 3 avian vets the Rickeybird has seen thusfar.

They burrow in limestone cliffs in their native land, so any enclosure (paper bag or drawer) gets them really excited. The Rickeybird makes his own "burrows" by pulling down pieces of a sheet overhead, so that he can peek out. This is also how he makes his "textile art". You can read about that below if you like. Here's a picture of a beady eyeball looking through a chewed hole...


Patagonians I have known prefer wading baths as opposed to overhead sprays or such. The Rickeybird bathes in a huge wok, with about 2 inches of water.

Those are the things that occur to me now. I included the things that I feel are different from most parrots, since you obviously already know your birds!

Looking forward to getting to know Paddy!

 

[Nicky76]

How are you and paddy getting on?


Animals are like little angels sent to earth to teach us how to love

 

[GaleriaGila]

Yes! Patagonian minds want to know!

 

[Jules79]

Paddy is slowly getting confident he still won't take food from me but has started playing with his toys, am thinking of letting him out but don't want him to freak out and hurt himself.