Would it be crazy to buy a Sun?

[alcmene]

We taught the conure a trick already! He's SO SMART!!

Last night my husband was dancing around being silly with the kids. He was pretending to be a parrot and was flapping his arms like wings and jumping up and down. Naturally, this was very exciting to the birds.

The conure was shifting back and forth on his feet and i noticed that he was doing twitchy motions with his wings. So i asked him, "Do you want to play too? Let me see those big wings! Big wings!" Then we all started flapping our arms and chanting "Big Wings!" over and over. Then he did it to! We went nuts and cheered and gave him a huge treat jackpot and just generally made a huge fuss over him. You could tell he was quite pleased with himself. We practiced again and again, advancing to just saying the words and not having to accompany them with a wild flapping motion. And we made a big stink over him every time he complied.

I wasnt sure if it would stick or not. But this morning after breakfast i told him, "Big wings" and he did it! He's got it down already. It took all of 15 min to train. This bird is going to be fun.

 

[alcmene]

I owe all of you bird people an apology. I know you've all known and loved birds for years and i've had them only since Wed. So it isnt fair at all, but the world's best most remarkable bird has decided to come live at my house. I apologize for your bad luck.

This conure is afraid of absolutely nothing! He's incredibly curious about everything new. Not the least bit concerned or fearful. This morning he watched my kids "cooking" in their play kitchen. Then he waddled over, climbed up, opened the door to the microwave part, and climbed inside. He kept turning around in circles and peeking out at us, clearly mighty pleased with himself. It was hilarious!

We've been taking him all over the house instead of staying in one room in an attempt to keep him accepting of new locations. He hasnt been phased by this at all. I walked in to the master bathroom with him on my arm. He was very interested in all of the mirrors. Then he craned his neck toward the shower stall, so i took him over to check it out. Our shower has a big glass door (clear, not textured, so you can see inside it). I didnt want to rush it and frighten him, so i was just letting him look in. He was stretching and craning towards the stall, like he was annoyed i was taking so long to let him go explore it! So we stepped inside.

Our shower is one of those huge ones with double heads, a bench, built in shelves. He climbed all over the place checking it all out. I was very careful to not let him get in the soap or shampoo or anything that could hurt him.

I had already bought one of those stick on suction cup perches for the shower, but didnt expect to actually be able to use it for months (or maybe ever, depending on the birds response). He seemed so at ease though, that i thought i'd just try showing it to him and see what he thought. I grabbed it and hung it up. He looked at it for 1/2 a second and climbed right aboard!

I watched him, totally at ease in there and decided to take a gamble and turn on the shower. I got in there with him, poised to flip it back off immediately. I held my breath and turned it on. He jumped, but looked surprised not scared. He calmed immediately and was super interested. Once he figured out what was going on, he was delighted!

He started flapping his wings and turning his head upside down to drink the water. He was so happy he squawked, which echoed, which completely delighted him. He started making a complete ruckus, just absolutely delighted with the sound of his own voice. Which was DEAFENING echoing off the tile. So we finally heard him scream. But it was so hilarious and charming we couldnt do anything but laugh. I like to sing badly in the shower, how could i fault him for doing the same thing? Lol

So he and i took a nice long shower, singing together at the top of our lungs and laughing like loons. After all that excitement, Mr Personality was quite tuckered out. So i took him to his cage, which he climbed right in to without protest, preened himself until he wasnt soaking wet anymore, and is now taking a nap.

I'm pretty sure there has never been a parrot in the history of ever that is this easy going. Sorry again to all you bird folk who have spent your whole lives wishing for a bird this awesome and he went and picked us lol!

 

[Ashleigh86]

I'm so happy with all of your success! With all those signs, how could it not be "meant to be"? thanks for the pictures! Both birds are beautiful and seem completely content Let us know when (or if) you decide to name the sun! This has been a really fun thread to follow. The story is just great, and the success at the end makes it that much better!!!

 

[alcmene]

The pet store people told me he is male, but when i asked them for the test results that proved that they didnt have any; so i don't trust them. I already have a great relationship with an exotics vet because of my reptiles. I'm going to call Mon morning and make Mr Peabody and the sun both appts for well bird check ups. I'll have the vet run a DNA test to find out if the sun is actually a male. It will help for naming, but i also want to be on the lookout for egg laying behaviors in the future if he turns out to be a she. Forewarned is forearmed.

 

[Peeko]

I'm so glad everything is going so well for you, and that you saved that sun from that awful potential owner!

My little guy settled right in too <3 Less than 24 hours after getting home he was already laying on his back in my hand. Everyone assured me it was just the honeymoon period and he would get more of an attitude when he settled in, but that never happened. He's just so much fun and so social, with so much personality that everyone who's met him cant help but fall in love with him, and he thinks that's just the way it should be! Even after having him for a full year, he's never bitten anybody. Of course, he hasn't hit the terrible twos yet, but I'm hoping it isn't as bad as everyone says it is (but I'm mentally preparing for it to be).

I hope things continue to go so smoothly for you guys! Has your daughter shown any favoritism between the birds? It sounds like the sun might be stealing the show a little, but what you heard her saying to the tiel was just SO sweet!

 

[Mekaisto]

Haha, uh oh, looks like we have a new bird lover in our midst

Birds are one of those animals that people completely underestimate until there's one in their life, then they realise they're the best thing ever!

 

[Freespin]

I know I was exactly the same, a huge animal person my whole life but never got the whole companion bird thing. But once you're hooked, boy are you hooked!

I am so happy for you it's all working out =) How is your (very lucky!) Daughter dealing with it all? Sounds like the whole family is in love =p

 

[alcmene]

I'm having a rough morning. I need some encouragement, or else a dose of reality. I've spent basically every waking moment of my life pouring over bird related info since the conure came home on Fri. There's so much involved in raising a bird properly. And i am panicking. I couldnt even sleep last night i am so worried. I've read and reread this thread a million times.

There are so many people, people who know what they're talking about, who said "don't get the sun. You're not ready." What if they're right? He's such a good sweet boy. He deserves the best life. He is just so very special. He deserves everything. I dont know what i'm doing! Can i provide him with the kind of life he needs and deserves?

I'm trying to talk a good game and pretend like i'm staying impartial. But i think it's more than evident that i'm already immensely fond of him. But that doesnt mean anything as far as raising him properly is concerned. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. If i screw this up and ruin him in to being one of those screaming biting demon attack birds, it will be 100% my fault and i'll never forgive myself. He deserves better then that.

I've discussed my background with animals in general and birds in specific here quite a bit. So please give me your feedback- can i do this? Am i capable of turning him in to a great bird (and keeping him that way for the next 3 decades)? I know everyone's tendency is to be automatically supportive ("You can do it!"), but i don't need a fan club. I want the cold hard truth, not platitudes. Am i in over my head?

 

[thekarens]

You are the only one who can answer that question. You know what you can and can't do.

 

[drlisaort]

I wondered the same when I graduated from a tiel to an Eclectus and though it was and still is trial and error it's been an awesome, awesome experience. Keep reading and learning and you'll do fine. I made tons of mistakes with my first parrot, a male Cockatiel, but he lived 23 years. With that said, a tiel to an Eclectus for me was quite different. I felt like I went from a baby to a toddler. I wish you the very best...and know you are in great, great company here on this forum...

 

[alcmene]

You are the only one who can answer that question. You know what you can and can't do.

I realize that a bunch of internet strangers don't know me or my bird. So i guess what i'm really asking is- is it nuts to even try?

For example, if i heard somebody say, "I got my very first bird! It's a Moluccan!" I would think they were completely out of their mind. It's like hearing about one of those quickie Hollywood weddings. The second you hear about it you're like, "No way that's going to last. I give it a year, tops."

I am not ignorant of how hard it is to properly keep a parrot. I'm acutely aware of it. Which is why i'm terrified. I definitely dont have that overconfident, "He's only 6 in tall and weighs less then a sandwich, how hard could it be?" attitude. I've obsessively researched. I'm willing/able to put in all the time he will take. I'm budgeting a minimum of an hr/day for his training.

Knowing all that, does a sun conure in the hands of a dedicated novice sound like a recipe for disaster? Like, i dont care how dedicated you are. Anyone who gets a 'Too as a first bird is nuts. Would that be the case with a sun? Or if i'm commited to working really really hard, could i realistically make this work?

 

[BoomBoom]

Based on your first post, I don't think people here were saying that you are not ready to care for a sun conure, rather that it is not a suitable pet for a 5 year old. With heavy adult input and supervision, it's a different story. Any adult can do it, as long as they put in the time and effort to read, understand and properly care for a sun conure.

Since you've been doing a lot of reading, I am sure you understand that it may require a lifestyle change (as was my experience) in order to provide a safe, enriching environment for your sun. This goes with any bird really. I'm sure you are aware by now, that it is a lifelong commitment . Which is why members wanted to give you honest input. When I see rehomed suns on Craigslist, I see the face of my sun in each of them and it makes me sad. Not saying you would rehome the bird, but we are all internet strangers as you say and people are naturally wary.

Regardless, Congratulations on your new sun! May you have many, many happy years together!

 

[Jumpingtadpoles]

I think your over thinking. I believe as long as you do your best, keep up to date on info (for instance, the grit debates) you can handle any bird you truly want. Even a Moluccan cuckatoo. You just have to be open minded. Aware of their needs, their specific down falls and how to avoid them, and just keep learning.
There are some people who just dive into the harder birds, even when people tell them it's not the best idea, and because they are committed, and determined, they do fine.
I am going to be one of them people. And I believe in myself. I still have days of doubt, but I know I can do this. I have a great forum, as well as a bird club to turn to for help. There is tons of info out there, YouTube, blogs,forums, and geez, you have all those DVDs and books!
You'll be fine.
Life is good. Go have a tea and watch your birds be the awesome little beings they are

 

[jbail1026]

Wow! I haven't checked in on this thread since last week - YAY for getting the tiel and the Sun! SWEET! I'm a big fan of birds having another bird to hang out with (our amazon tolerates the good-natured pestering of our elderly lovebird and is a better bird for it). They are flock animals, afterall. Oh, totally normal to freak out. I know I did, more than once, but then you just sort of get to know them and you can't imagine them living anywhere else but with you and your family. They look healthy and HAPPY and I think you already love them. Game on. I think they are very lucky birds and it will only get better and better.

 

[Nakiska]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Your tiel looks exactly like our Chiquita...she's also a lutino and soo sweet! Is your tiel very vocal? Chirping, whistling and the sort?? If not, you may have a female...they tend to be a lot quieter than males. Chiquita was sold to us as a male (which is what I wanted)...but within 24 hours I knew we DEFINITELY had a female. She's been with us 3 years in February...she's totally priceless!

We have a green cheek conure...who picked us from afar in the pet store (Petco) we had no intentions of buying another bird, especially at that price...but with his antic's and how hard he was working to get our "easily corralled" attention...we couldn't leave without him. Especially after he did a summersault, then laying on his back, craned his head back to see if we were still watching...and gave us a look of..."NOW will you take me home???" I looked at my husband, he looked at me, we both nearly had tears in our eyes...that was it...so we eat top ramen for the next 2 weeks...who cares! LOLOL

Franklin was just shy of 3 months old when we purchased him and had only been in the pet store 7 days. Franklin has been the most fun bird ever! Challenging at times as he's gone through his growing hormonal changes/challenges. But never once - have we regretted spending our grocery money on the little stinker.

You will feel the same way...if you don't already...I think the tiel will grow on you...conures are soo totally different in their personalities. You just can't compare tiels to conures.

We spend a lot more hands on time with our conure, just because he loves the toys/games/interaction. Our Chiquita...she loves to just hang out on our shoulder and preen, not so much a playful girl, just a nice quiet lover...and our other two tiels that I rescued, they grew on us in ways I never imagined they would. I had no intention of keeping them when I rescued them. Now...I can't imagine life without them.

I can tell fromt he posts and the pic's...yu are the perfect home for the two birds you have.

I did almost the same thing as you...I got our tiel, then we got another tiel, then we got the conure, then I rescued 2 more tiels...then I rescued an injured pigeon in the big city...all in 6 months! Went from zero to 6 in 6 months! Hahahaha! That was 3 years ago February 17th...I became the crazy bird lady in the neighborhood.

Good luck to all of you. Love them each for their individual qualities and they won't let you down.

Toni

 

[Jumpingtadpoles]

Where are these pictures!?! I want to see?!? I have looked at this thread several times over, and can't find them! Is it because I am on my ipad app? Do I need to login on safari?
I want to seeeeee

 

[Nakiska]

Where are these pictures!?! I want to see?!? I have looked at this thread several times over, and can't find them! Is it because I am on my ipad app? Do I need to login on safari?
I want to seeeeee

For me, they are on page 10 They were uploaded on the 25th...so maybe you can scroll back through the posts til you get to the 25th.

 

[Jumpingtadpoles]

I found them! THEY ARE SOOOO CUTE!
I wish my sweetie would let me get a cockatiel, but he doesn't like them. I feel lucky to be allowed to be waiting for the birds we have decided on...

 

[Mekaisto]

Honestly, conures are one of the most forgiving species I know.

You make a couple of mistakes with a cockatoo, you might have a problem bird.
You make a couple of mistakes with a conure, it probably won't make too big a difference, to tell the truth.

If you do something wrong, enforce a bad habit without meaning to, with some training you can reverse it.

I would not suggest a sun conure for a 5 year old. However for a loving family, with at least one adult member with a background in animal care and training, I'd say go for it.

Sun conures are easy to train, and although they are known to be nippy, I've never met a bad-natured sun conure in my entire career.

 

[mtdoramike]

I'm kind of a believer in getting the bird you want to get from the git go as long as you have done your research and have an idea of what you are getting into. Birds can live a long, long, long time. So it's best to get the bird you have always dreamed about especially if you can afford to get a hand raised baby. I think people try to make it sound harder than it really is when getting a bird as a pet. If you have or had children, raising a bird isn't that much different than raising children. Just think of the bird as a spoiled two year old and that will give you some idea.