Another new flock member, Piquito

[KiMa27]

So my husband and I have added another parrot to our flock. Boy, having two new rescues within a month of each other has been a bit overwhelming so far but I met with both Benny and our newest Piquito a couple months ago and couldn't make a decision between the two. So we adopted them both and staggered the pick up times to make acclimation a little easier. Still our house feels very full and a little hectic right now as we get used to everyone's schedules and needs. No regrets though, 4 is a very manageable flock size and I'm all for helping as many parrots as I can.

I don't know much about green-check conures. I think he (she?) is a yellow-sided Green Cheek conure, maybe some of the folks here with GCC can confirm or deny. The plucking might make it harder to ID the breed. His estimated age is 10, not sure if that makes him older for his breed...

We've started calling him, Piquito. He came to use with a different (but similar) name that was harder to say. We love 'Piquito' because it means little beak or tiny kisses which seemed perfect. Plus now I can call him/her Pip for short.

He has only one complete wing, it's believed the other was partially torn off by an animal before he was surrendered to a PetCo then later adopted and then surrendered to a rescue. He was lucky enough to live with a wonderful foster mom since July, she did a great job with him. He's scared, of course, but is already starting getting over that. I think he's going to be very trainable, he has lots or energy and is really treat-motivated. He's also very sassy which I hear is a standard GCC trait!

The one wing gives him something in common with Benny, who's right wing was crushed and no longer opens. It gives them something in common to talk about!

His first exam with my avian vet will be 11/10. Can't wait to get those tests out of the way so I can introduce him to the rest of the flock. He clearly really, really wants to be with other birds and he calls to mine constantly. Hopefully they'll accept him, but if not at least he'll be in a room with other birds to talk with and stare at.

Any special considerations I should be aware of with a GCC? I've read they can be clingy or sassy or nippy. I'm okay with all that.

 

[Sparkles99]

He has a very affable, open face. I think he’ll fit in well!

 

[TikiMyn]

Ahwww he has such a curious look in his eyes. Beautiful baby, congratulations I hope he settles in well.

 

[Aestatis]

Poor guy had a tough start! I'm sure your other birds will love him, he'll feel like he's gone to heaven!

 

[Mizzely]

What a sweetie! They do not know their small size in my experience and will not run from a fight with a larger bird. So be sure to monitor with your larger conures and be prepared to keep them separated!

 

[Emma&pico]

I would say yellow sided at a guess but not brilliant with knowing

so glad he’s landed somewhere good I hope the plucking eases off with some love attention good food toys etc but it’s an hard habit to break especially if medical reasons are ruled out and it’s behaviour plucking I hope he really lets his gorgeous feathers grow back in but if not he’s a little stunner anyway

gcc are amazing but little handfuls at same time totally different from bigger conure which I find more laid back they are full of energy and attitude to match @Pixiebeaks explained them to me like cats and it’s very true one minute stroke me next bite then back to stroke love me in a quick flash I find body language easy to read but if your not watching it’s super fast you can miss it a fair few times I have mainly with pip remi a bit more I am mad square head stunt dance for longer than pip does it
I 100% agree with @Mizzely they aren’t scared and will happily size up to anything and won’t back down I am lucky mine all tolerant each other but are not ever left unsupervised definitely my gcc that are most trouble everything theirs

they are super sweet on their terms and super clever foraging toys are worked out in no time but they love them tricks they get super easy
wood thin pine basla etc they go through in no time
I find them good eaters and actually eat more than my bigger conures not sure if this is because they are super active pine nuts or safflower seeds will do anything for I would take these out of seed mix and he only gets them from you while training taming to start
they use all their cage I definitely want to go bigger for my two
Super curious and nosey they are first ones into anything new willing to try anything once
Nippy yes but you can get over this if you keep saying no biting and put them down turn your back because they love attention and no attention will be picked up on quickly

I think you will love a gcc they are amazing little birds but definitely watch out for square head

 

[KiMa27]

Good morning! I have an update:

Things were going really well with Piquito until yesterday. Up until then he was taking snacks from my fingers, making kissing noises and he even stepped up once. I also added a bit of Roudybush California and nutriberries to his Harrison's diet and he loved it.

But then yesterday I came home from work and he was MAD. Just chewing me out with this cute little angry voice. I don't know what I did - the only thing I can think of is he misses his foster mom who was home most of the time and he doesn't like that my husband and I have to go to work and he's alone from 8am-5pm...? The time change didn't help, it was dark when we got home and his foster mom told me he likes to go to bed when it gets dark.

He bit me several times yesterday when I gave him dinner, then he full on attacked me this morning when I reached in to his cage to get his food and water bowls. I went slow and told him what I was doing but his cage set up doesn't have the option to get the cups from the outside so I had to go in.

I didn't expect all smooth sailing but this complete 180 has me a bit stumped and feeling a little discouraged. I know it will get better... at least I hope so, lol!

Any thoughts on what I might have done and what I can try going forward? For now I plan to go back to a day-one approach - slow, easy, keeping my distance as best I can, etc.


On a positive note, his few primary chest feathers are still intact. Here he is with the light of my stained glass window helping him to be extra colorful!

 

[Mizzely]

How long have you had him?

Changes in routine definitely can be part of it, but even changes in food (I know I can be crabby if I'm hungry ) can fuel outbursts. Was he used to more out time at his foster home? Was he the only bird there?

The time change certainly didn't help I'm sure!

 

[KiMa27]

How long have you had him?

Changes in routine definitely can be part of it, but even changes in food (I know I can be crabby if I'm hungry ) can fuel outbursts. Was he used to more out time at his foster home? Was he the only bird there?

The time change certainly didn't help I'm sure!

It's only been about 10 days. I hear you, I get crabby without my dinner too! Piquito had food left in his bowl when I got him dinner last night and breakfast this morning...

His foster mom works from home so he is used to be out all day or at least with someone nearby for company. He was the only bird there - he now has 4 parrot companions but they're in another part of the house as Piquito's in quarantine. They call to each other though.

His vet exam is on 11/10 so hopefully I will have test results back by 11/17 and as long as it's all negative then I can introduce him to the flock.

 

[Mizzely]

My green cheek definitely wore her heart on her sleeve. She hated being woken up too soon, hated being up too late, and was frustrated if she wasn't let out enough. We used to say she "cursed in green cheek" because she had specific grumbly noises to show her displeasure

 

[KiMa27]

Piquito definitely sounds like he's throwing out some choice curse words himself!!! What did you do when this happened to your Green Cheek? Give space, give attention, bribe with snacks???

 

[Mizzely]

If I could adjust things, I did. If not, mostly just rode it out and placated with treats