Conference 7.286::pet_birds

890.0. "Problem Nanday" by ZENDIA::MCPARTLAN () Wed Feb 15 1995 17:47

I have a Nanday Conure (Bandit) that is about 4.5 years old. When I got 
him, he was a baby and was still hand feeding. He was the most sweet and 
friendly bird. He learned to say a few words (hello, goodbye, Bandit and I 
love you - but he saves I love you for when I'm angry or in the other 
room). He used to pretty much go to anyone, but once he was around 1.5 
he started changing and biting and getting really nasty to just about 
everyone but me.

My husband can handle him at times, but Bandit assumes the position of 
getting ready to bite him, but usually doesn't. Everyone else that he lunges 
at, he bites, including my 2 dogs. He has no fear.

Lately he has taken to screaming at the top of his lungs unless I pick 
him up and then sometimes he bites me. He has also started trying to rub 
his bottom on me and trying to regurgitate on me(sometimes succesfully, if 
I'm not really paying attention).

My problem is, I'm pregnant and expecting in August. I would really like 
to find a new home for Bandit, but I'm feeling wicked guilty about the 
whole thing. I have always been one to believe that if you get a pet, 
it's yours till death do you part. But, I'm just afraid that with Bandit 
being so jealous, that he will try to bite the baby, just like he tries 
to bite my dogs and my husband when he comes near me. If I'm not holding 
him, he's screaming which is very unnerving. I don't know what to do. 
Part of me would like to sell him as a breeder so he can finally satisfy 
his urges, but I don't know if he'll miss human companionship. The other 
part me wants to sell him to someone who is used to the noise of a 
conure and wants another, but who's going to want a bird that would try 
to bite them? I don't know what to do. Plus, I think I might be too 
picky about finding him a good home. He's very healthy, he sees the vet 
once a year, he takes vitamins and loves veggies and fruit and pasta and 
all that good stuff so I'm pretty confident that he's not ill.

I don't know what to do. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Donna McPartlan

Hi

Mary Frost in Henniker, NH is a woman whose business is called" Polly Want
a Cracker".  a part of her business is accepting  birds and finding
home for them.  I beleive she gets a lot of finches and parrakeets(budgies)
and places them for free (or almost free)

her number is 603-428-3628

Doug

    I'm not giving her any vitamins.  I try to pick some up asap.
    She is eating pretty good.  Lots of fruits, breads, rice, and seeds.
    (She still won't touch the pellets).  She also still cries for
    her baby food (although she doesn't need the syringe anymore, she
    eats it from the bowl).  Does anyone have an opinion on the baby
    food?  I'm an considering her weaned because she doesn't want the
    syringe anymore, but is there any harm in her still eating the food?
    I don't feel that there is, but she is my first big bird so I could
    be wrong.  She sure loves that stuff.  I figure it makes her happy
    and calms her down to play nice in/on her cage, so hopefully it is
    ok for her to still eat it.  She turned 1 year old on March 23.
    
    Thanks,
    Renee