Warming up?

[BruceV]

I have a Blue Crowned Conure who runs away if I try to touch her. I've only had her a couple of weeks, and I know I need to give it time. This morning she did something that she's only done once before. She makes a different squawking sound and her eyes get real small (best way I can describe it[almost seems like an alarm, too]) and then, if I make kissing sounds, she makes them too. Is she warming up to me a little or is she trying to tell me something else?

 

[ZoeS]

Hard to say without seeing her. My conure will poof up and do as you describe, but it's because she's mad and will bite me if I get close!

Likely, she is just interacting with you, or maybe she is sleepy and is just imitating you. If you could take a video that would help, too!

 

[BruceV]

Like I said, this is only the second time it has happened, so video is probably not going to happen any time soon. She does poof up, but she doesn't bite because she is always running away from my hand. She will stare at me but apparently hands are the enemy.

 

[ZoeS]

Well I don't know, it could have happened twice in two days with a clear trigger.

Poofing up seems to either mean sleepy/preening, or "don't come close to me or I'll bite you". Kissy sounds come at both times.

Just persevere, I guess. It will become clearer as you get to know each other better.

 

[BruceV]

Thank you Zoe

 

[kellie]

Ohh the hand hating. Lukah was terrified of and furious with hands when I got him. He liked faces though. So I would just kiss him on the head with my hands behind my back and then slowly started to leave my hand resting in his cage a few times a day for bouts of 10 seconds or so. Once he got used to that, I would have my hand near him while I was kissing him. Just time! be patient, even though I know how hard that is! haha Lukah didn't let me pet him till I had had him for 2 or 3 months and even now is still not fully step up trained and will often run from my hand if he doesnt want to come out

 

[BruceV]

Good to know, thanks! Sounds exactly like what I'm going through. This girl is 10ish years old, and as far as I know, hasn't been handled on a regular basis. A little bit, but not much. So she's hand shy to say the least. The people who had her before can give her kisses (which I can't), but she runs from their hands, too. Trying to be patient

 

[Birdman666]

1. Eye pinning in the context of imitating sounds, usually means excitement.

2. Hand feed the bird tiny treats that he has to take from your hand. I would suggest either sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, or small broken up pieces of peanuts or cashews for this. Stuff he doesn't normally get, that he will be willing to work for. Hands are a good thing. They bring treats!

3. Then, when he's comfortable with that, take the bird in another room. I always preferred the bathroom shower perch for this. And do step up practice, every day for about five minutes. Step up go back... reward him each time with a treat and praises.

4. Then do the touching exercises when he is used to that.

Do this 2-3 times per day, for a week or two, until he "gets it." He should snap right out of it.

 

[BruceV]

I'm fortunate enough to live close enough to work that I can go home for lunch. Today she was making a couple different sounds than she usually does, and doing the eye pinning, seeming excited, but still runs from the hand. I try to hand her treats, but she runs from those, too. But if I leave the area, she yells for me to come back. Silly bird.

 

[ZoeS]

You can set the treat down, move your hands away, and let her come to the treat. Clicker training is good here. Slowly move your hand into view, then closer and closer etc. Good luck!