What should I do?

[leomacaw]

My Sun Conure bites me so bad and I have many cuts on my hands. Originally I wanted to return it to the seller... but aferall it's my first parrot and I just hope that it can be my friend. I couldn't let it go at the end...

What should I do so that it can be my friend?

 

[apatrimo94]

Are the bites all the time? Is it because of agression, like does he lunge in to bite or just when he's on you? Is he friendly at all, by stepping up, allowing head scratches, etc.? It's in a conures nature to bite and be nippy to a point where they can draw blood, but I'm not sure if yours is doing it out of aggression or curiousity. Their beaks are almost like their way of exploring and getting around.

 

[leomacaw]

It seems that he's so aggressive meanwhile he's so afraid of my hands... I am not sure whether he has suffered anything before I bought him...

My Sun Conure bites me whenever I want to hold it... or even when my hands come slowly close to him... Is it normal?

Is it possible one day he can stand on my hand and play with me?

 

[apatrimo94]

It seems that he's so aggressive meanwhile he's so afraid of my hands... I am not sure whether he has suffered anything before I bought him...

My Sun Conure bites me whenever I want to hold it... or even when my hands come slowly close to him... Is it normal?

Is it possible one day he can stand on my hand and play with me?

OK, yes, you're conure seems to have some agression with his biting. Does he ever get out-of-cage time or want to get out of his cage?

And yes, it is possible to get your bird to stand on your hand and play with, it just will take some to build some trust.

 

[Spiritbird]

Sometimes the store bought birds are not handled much by people and are afraid of handling. The first thing that you should do is to establish trust/bond with your sunnie. This takes time. Approach slowly and calmly. Let the bird get used to your voice and seeing that you hands bring good things to him such as treats. I am including a link that may be of help to you. Please give us feedback on your progress. How To Tame Your Wild Or Aggressive Biting Parrot

 

[Aussie Ben]

Well that makes the problem clear, he is afraid of you. Yes it is very possible that he will one day sit on your hand as your friend....absolutely, but at the moment he dos not feel comfortable doing this.

What you need to do is build a better relationship with him. How long have you had him for? It is extremely rare to find a bird that will like someone straight away. It is a looong bonding process which takes time and patience.

Does he have a favourite treat? I always suggest using this as a bit of a reward for him being near you. You want to associate him being near you with positive things. Once he is comfortable with you, then you can work on the stepping up onto the hand.

 

[leomacaw]

Well that makes the problem clear, he is afraid of you. Yes it is very possible that he will one day sit on your hand as your friend....absolutely, but at the moment he dos not feel comfortable doing this.

What you need to do is build a better relationship with him. How long have you had him for? It is extremely rare to find a bird that will like someone straight away. It is a looong bonding process which takes time and patience.

Does he have a favourite treat? I always suggest using this as a bit of a reward for him being near you. You want to associate him being near you with positive things. Once he is comfortable with you, then you can work on the stepping up onto the hand.

He likes sunflower seed. Whenever I give him this, he will come close to me and take the seed. But he never let me touch him or bite me so bad... Well, yes, maybe time is necessary here...

 

[Aussie Ben]

He likes sunflower seed. Whenever I give him this, he will come close to me and take the seed. But he never let me touch him or bite me so bad... Well, yes, maybe time is necessary here...

This is good, keep doing this :smile049:. A good trick is to make it so he has to climb over your hand to get to it. Only take small steps though, only move as close to your hand as he feels comfortable, but eventually make it so he has to physically step up onto your hand to receive the treat. It all takes time, don't rush it. Its the slow pace process that actually helps build the trust and not the final result itself.

 

[leomacaw]

He likes sunflower seed. Whenever I give him this, he will come close to me and take the seed. But he never let me touch him or bite me so bad... Well, yes, maybe time is necessary here...

This is good, keep doing this :smile049:. A good trick is to make it so he has to climb over your hand to get to it. Only take small steps though, only move as close to your hand as he feels comfortable, but eventually make it so he has to physically step up onto your hand to receive the treat. It all takes time, don't rush it. Its the slow pace process that actually helps build the trust and not the final result itself.

Thanks!

 

[HRH Di]

Good advice above.

One thing to remember, some parrots never want to be touched but it doesn't mean they love their people any less. My Max doesn't like to be touched at all, even stroking his tail is off limits. But he loves to be with us. He wants either my son or I in his line of sight at all times. He is pretty solitary, though, and some days doesn't come out of his cage at all even with the doors and top open all day.

 

[antoinette]

Birds are like kids so unpredictable......
All the above members have given great advise.
Aussie Ben is spot on, time, and patience is so important. It could take days even weeks, keep repeating this daily, a few times a day, if you are able to.
You will be rewarded, only when he is ready and willing.
Good luck

 

[Birdamor]

Both HRH and Ben are right on target. It does take time, sometimes years, to gain the trust of a bird that has been abused, neglected or parent-raised (and it seems that one of these choices is the case with yours) BUT there is a percentage of birds that will always absolutely refuse to be pets. They usually end up as breeders or in sanctuaries but I have several of them and they are fine once you stop trying. They can still learn to like you and trust you but they will never be your pet.

 

[etse20]

One trick I learned when handling my Suns were to hold your hand into the fist rather than holding out your fingers. But still, you'll need to earn their trust. Bribing them with food usually works. Let him step up on your arm instead of your finger.

 

[GreenCheek]

Ever think about touch training? I hear that sometimes does wonders for timid birds.

 

[Beilana]

Also respect his boundaries, if he clearly wants your hand away, back off. If he wants to be in his cage, let him. Another great way to avoid painful bites is to read his body language Bird Body Language: How to Understand What Your Parrot or Your Other Bird is Trying to Say Good luck and keep us posted with the progress