Rescued a Sun Conure...Now what???

[shanet1975]

My family and I rescued a 3 year old male (they old owner thinks), sun Conure named Sonny. We have him all set up and added a number of perches and toys to his cage. I am in the process of trying to research these little beauties, but am wondering if anyone has any advise on how to get him used to us. Should we let him be for a fews days, try to play and interact with him alot? I had him out earlier when we first set up his cage for abo0ut 30 minutes and he didn't want to go back in his cage. Now if I try to get him to step onto my finger or hand he bites and runs to the back of the cage. Not sure if it is time that he needs or what? He will take apples and food out of any of our hands and will tilt his head for a head rub if I come in above his head. He only nips if I come in low as if to have him perch on my fingers.
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[shanet1975]

Any advise would be greatly appreciated......

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Try offering a forearm instead of a finger to step up on. If it works I'll explain why ... if it doesn't - then we can talk about other steps.

How much should you be interacting? That can vary based on the situation, but generally a couple days of just getting used to the new cage is a good idea. Talk to him and pet him through the cage if he wants, but let him get used to that cage being his space.

 

[shanet1975]

Thanks for the reply. Seemed like overnight he has gotten 10x better. I left the cage open for a little while this morning and after about an hour he started to poke his head out and now he he is all the way out. He has also hopped right on my hand today. I think it was just getting used to the new surroundings. Man Sonny is a cool little dude. Such a personality. I have had a parakeet in the past, but this is the first bigger bird we have had. I will be heading to Barnes and Noble if they are open today to get a book and am trying to read as much as I can online.
Thanks again for the reply...

 

[Auggie's Dad]

sounds great. Incase it happens again the reason I mentioned forearm instead of finger is that forearms are more stable. Our birds watch us and they see our fingers flailing about like mad in unpredictable patterns - especially when we're on the computer. Then we go over and expect them to step up onto one of these crazy unpredictable digits. It's no surprise to me that they are not always comfortable with that. Forearm or finger we need to make sure to offer a stable perch our birds can be confident and comfortable on or they will bite.

 

[shanet1975]

Now that makes a lot of sense....He was just out grooming my ears and lips. Gets a little bitey with my teeth so I shut my mouth now and he just nibbles and licks. I believe he may think my teeth are a nut or something.
He is really opening up after such a short period. We can tell he will be great.
Thanks again for the words of wisdom..