Thoth and trust building

[McCaleb]

Hello, as some of you may have read in my introduction post i am new to owning conures and currently working with a little baby (Born April of this year) black capped conure named Thoth.

He was wild when i got him and i'm trying to slowly win his trust. He will take treats (Any ideas on some healthy treats?) from my hand and I'm working on basic clicker training (plan on starting target training in about a week if he learns quickly). Other than that are there other techniques to win his trust.

Yes I know it takes year and years i'm not wanting to make leaps and bounds but baby steps in our relationship.

Side note - He likes to try and pick my finger nail off, but licks it before during and after. What type of behavior is this?

Heres a picture of the little fellow:

 

[McCaleb]

also was just cleaning his cage without the glove he walked onto my hand and just sat there and threw up on me, so is he sick should i take him to the vet?

 

[greycloud]

Hi McCaleb! Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between vomiting and regurgitating. Most birds will regurge by bobbing the head up and down and sometimes never bring anything up. Vomiting is usually presented with shaking of the head back and forth. They appear to have no control of it. Do you remember what Thoth was doing?

 

[McCaleb]

bobbing his head up and down. when i was brushing it off he tried to re eat it and has been turning his back to me after words, so i'm leaving him alone so not to make him mad.

 

[greycloud]

That's good!! He was regurgitating for you! His way of showing love! Awww!
Now, back to trust building! It seems he was comfortable enough to climb onto your hand, which is great! When he shows any positive behavior (stepping up, talking, playing) praise him well and happily. Give him yummy treats. Talk to him, sing and read to him if you can. Let him see you play with toys. He will learn that you are a fun part of his life.
As far as nibbling. It just sounds like normal testing of texture and taste. All baby things. If he leaves a dent then you know he bit to hard. You will have to keep an eye on your flesh! LOL! You sound like you are doing great!

 

[McCaleb]

Thanks i was at booksamillion buying tons of literature on conures today. I'm new to this and feel ashamed for not reading up before buying. I fell head over heels in love with him on sight and would do anything for this little bird (spent over 1 grand on the best i could buy at petsmart today huge new cage for him to play in yay!). I will keep praising him and try some of the things you mentioned. Thanks a ton! me and him are watching cartoons right now he seems so enthralled by the color and movement.

Side note- need to get thoth dna sexed.

 

[greycloud]

I am so glad he is bringing you so much happiness! If a girl you could call her Saucey! LOL!

 

[McCaleb]

lol, i will probably rename to Morrígan if Thoth is female.

*Side note love your avatar pic and banner, African greys are so beautiful.

 

[greycloud]

Thank you so much! I love the name Morrigan! Now I hope he is a she! LOL!

 

[wildheart]

Wow McCaleb, your baby sounds too cute for words!

I think it is time to throw that glove away - clearly Thoth felt overwhelmed with joy when you had your hand in there and trusted him enough to not protect yourself. Him regurgitating on your hand is such a beautiful sign of love and trust!

He turned his back on you because you did not show love or appreciation in return, his feelings were hurt. This is of course not your fault, I can imagine the joy of him getting on your hand plus the fear that he might bite then the shock of him regurgitating. It must have put your emotions in overdrive.

Greycloud gave you excellent advice.

Please keep us updated on your progress, this little fellow already climbed straight into my heart!

 

[Beilana]

Lol Only being a parront would you say "awwww he puked on you!!!! "

 

[McCaleb]

Was petting his head today with my pointer finger, he must have gotten to excited and bit me pretty good (i cant feel it due to nerve damage but he left a bruise). He didn't hiss or pin me with his eyes. Just started bobbing and bent back and *nom* beak on hand. I hope i handled this right. I waited for him to finish, told him "no bite" in a firm voice like i was taught in k-9 training. locked the cage and left the room for a good 15min. we are back to being good buddies, but have no idea what could have caused this.

 

[greycloud]

You did great! So, the only way you know he is biting hard is by physical appearance of your skin afterwards? The reason I ask is, it would help to redirect his attention when he goes to bite. Whether you feel the bite or not, he needs to learn it is unacceptable. If he bites down on your finger can you push your hand toward his beak? This causes most birds to bend their head in to the chest and they will release their bite. Just a thought.

 

[McCaleb]

Right the only way i can tell is after the bite, but i try to watch him like a hawk since we are still new to each other. When he bit down i had no idea if it was a nip or bite, he didn't chew just bit down. I will try what you said if it happens again, but this morning he is acting like it never happened.

 

[McCaleb]

Well got home from a night on the town after work (Police k-9). Got 10 new toys (he has a huge custom made cage now 5ft high x 4ft long x 2ft width) and a nice little bed. I get home arms covered in bags, my wife looks at me and jumps up asking me if they were all for her. You should have seen her face when i throw her one bag with a nice necklace, and take the rest over to Thoth's cage. She doesn't care for birds (shes a horse person we own 3) she asks me why i love that bird so much. I told her the same way she loves her horses Thoth is my little baby and i would do anything for him. Hes jumping around chirping in his water dish i gave him to bathe in and playing with his new toys. This bird is in heaven...

 

[Dj tweet]

Hahaha lucky wife
I'd never get anything from my partner
for example $320 shoes $400 jacket $300ph $80 wallet etc what do I get
oh an ice cream yay lol
sounds like your all having a blast and birdie is much loved member in the family

 

[McCaleb]

My Wife use to have cockatiels and i grew up with my dad's aggressive macaw (i now understand why, the thing was heavily abused and i pity it now after it has passed on.). I am use to biting and nipping she is terrified by it, but we both love this little bundle of funny. Its day 4 after him leaving that hell hole of a pet store (which has been reported by me, they have them all thrown together with little to no food and water with almost no light. Ever seen Paulie like that. I went back today and i want to buy them all its so sad...). Hes letting me pet his head, he does this weird purring thing so I'm guessing he likes it. Wish this day would never end hes so happy and content.

 

[greycloud]

Awww.. I am so happy for the two of you!

 

[McCaleb]

Alrighty i just noticed he is chewing a lot (Not plucking might take him to the vet just to make sure...) and isn't bathing. I don't want to force him in the water whats the best way to get him to take a bath?