Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    
    
    Hi,
    
    I too have 2 'tiels and a Nanday Conure.  I got Bandit as a baby, he
    was hand fed and *very* tame.  He is still very tame and very loveable. 
    I'm sure that getting him like that made life alot easier.  However, I
    was told that the best people to tame birds are around 10 years old,
    because they are persistant (keep wanting to touch,hold,tame the bird)
    and they have no fear (even when they've been bit).  So, if you want
    this bird to love you and be held, my guess would be to treat them as
    you treat your 'tiels ... if you handle your 'tiels.  If you are
    planning on showering this bird with attention/affection you need to be
    consistant (don't pay loads of attention to him at first and then let
    it dwindle). I guess you have to get to know each other and build
    trust. 
    
    If I were going to reach for him, I imagine it would be less
    threatening for the bird if you come up at him, instead of at him from
    above his head.
    
    Please, correct me if I'm wrong...
    
    Good luck!
    
    Donna

    Thanks for your reply...yes I can handle my tiels...no problem at all.
    I have this bird in a 30 day quarantine..washing my hands etc..before
    touching the tiels..
    Vet visit for Pedi will be Tues...so I would like to have him (min)
    handled by me before then..I thought Sat when I have time..would sit 
    with him.  Thanks for any comments and advice..sure can use..
    
    Caralyn
    

    Hi Caralyn,
    
    Congratulations on your new addition.  I hope you will enjoy your
    Conure's companionship.  You had a lot of questions about this
    species.  I will try to help if I can.  Conure's are **LOUD**, this is
    their nature.  That scream that you were greeted with will definitely
    continue and as he/she get's acclimated to it's surrounding the screams
    may become more frequent.
    
    I would definitely keep any doors or windows that are not screened
    closed when you start to let it out of it's cage.  He/she may be
    clipped now, but flight feathers grow back in just a few months if
    they are on a good diet.  
    
    Abused birds on in this case misused birds do have trouble trusting
    their human companions.  This is very apparant if you are of the same
    sex as the person that abused/misused the bird.  My suggestion would be
    to allow the bird to come out of its cage on its own.  Don't try to 
    put your hand in the cage.  After he is out give him a small treat and
    place your arm near him/her after the treat is consumed.  Allow the 
    bird to come to you.  If he/she shows signs of agression don't push it.
    
    Try to find a treat that your conure REALLY likes.  Offer this treat
    to it only when you want to train or interface with him/her.  This will
    help build a rappore with him/her.  
    
    Conure can be very lovable birds.  They are not the greatest talkers
    but what they lack in conversation they more than make up in
    personality.  You also want to make sure that he/she can't get too
    close to your tiels.  If your conure get's nippy your tiels could
    sustain an injury.
    
    If I can answer any other questions, please let me know.
    
    Jim Buccieri

    How do I get my conure to stop biting? When either my husband
    or I go to hold the bird, he'll bite *hard* and draw blood.
    I've tapped (flicked) him on the beak saying "NO!", but
    it doesn't help. I can no longer hold the bird and my
    husband has to wear heavy gloves, now.
    
    Can this be stopped?

    	You may want to stop trying to handle the bird for a while.  Try to
    get it's trust back by just talking to it, give it treats and such. 
    Anytime a bird bites, it's out of fear, so back off and take it a
    little easier!   :-)