Just got a Green Cheek conure and I need some advice

[jasperboot]

I've been looking for a bird and I have a deposit on a Red Bellied Parrot. But yesterday I was at the hardware store and some guy was selling a green cheeked conure in the parking lot. I really didn't want a conure but this poor bird was sitting in this tiny cage, in the rain, all wet and miserable looking. The guy was obviously not a bird person, just trying to make a buck on some poor creature's misery. I just couldn't leave that poor bird there, he looked so down and out. Now he's with me. I have him in a big cage which I'm happy to let him come out of. I put down some bird food and some fruit/greens. I don't think he even knows that he can eat the fruits/veggies. And the poor little guy is just hanging out in the back. He's completely scared of humans. I need some good advice on how to bring this bird out of his fearful state. Suggestions for resources?

 

[Feathery]

Poor guy! People can be the worst sometimes. Did he tell you anything about the bird? Was it his? Do you think it could have been found or possibly stolen? That just seems odd and kind of shady.

Use slow movements and a soft voice around the bird. Predators are silent, so talk softly, hum, or sing when near.

Was the cage planned for your Amazon? Do you have any other birds in your home?

 

[Wardy]

A bird arriving in a new home is a stressfull experience at the best of times considering the circumstances the bird came to you this stress can be multiplied.
1st thing to consider is booking a vet appointment to get your bird checked up.
With regards to getting the bird to settle spend time talking to the bird from a distance, when changing food and water and cleaning cage go slowly and talk to your bird all the time showing your not a threat.
It can take a new bird a while to settle in even in the best of circumstances take things slowly and be patient and i am sure you will see a improvement.

Keep at it with the fresh food it can take time to get them to try new foods.
I know you said you werent planning a conure but im sure you wont have any regrets they have tons of personality.
Well done for rescuing him/her and good luck.

 

[FeatheredM]

I think it is lovely you rescued the poor conure.

My tips for taming and bonding with a shy bird

Many people ask about how to tame and bond with their bird, and I don’t blame them. Bonding with your bird can be hard sometimes. Some birds love you in a snap, while others decide that because you sneezed you must start your relationship all over again. This can happen in particular with...

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[jasperboot]

Thank you for your replies. This guy just told me that he had got the bird from someone else. He had some geese and some poor other creatures he was selling in the parking lot. Sometimes I lose hope for humanity. But yes, the cage I'm using I was planning on being the bedroom for the Redbellied. I'll have to get another one now.

I'm really worried about this Conure eating. I can tell he's picked at some sunflower seeds but he's ignoring the fresh food. He's probably never seen fresh food. Should I just give the little guy more time or will he get sick if he doesn't eat? Ugh, I'm worried!

 

[FeatheredM]

Thank you for your replies. This guy just told me that he had got the bird from someone else. He had some geese and some poor other creatures he was selling in the parking lot. Sometimes I lose hope for humanity. But yes, the cage I'm using I was planning on being the bedroom for the Redbellied. I'll have to get another one now.

I'm really worried about this Conure eating. I can tell he's picked at some sunflower seeds but he's ignoring the fresh food. He's probably never seen fresh food. Should I just give the little guy more time or will he get sick if he doesn't eat? Ugh, I'm worried!

What I would do is give him the food he is most comfortable eating to get his strength up, and offer veggies was a choice if he wants to eat or not.

 

[jasperboot]

yes. I'm not sure what he's used to. I'm trying Fiesta mix as being the thing he most likely to have been given. I'll keep at it!

 

[tka]

Thank you for rescuing this little bird.

You might like to read these threads by @cab124 who rescued a very unsocialised, frightened little conure.

What kind of conure is this?

I saw this little girl sitting all alone in a pet store today. The attendant told me that she is a very young nanday conure (probably a female, but not sure), but it looks more to me like a pineapple green cheek. Sorry that it is blurry, but she would not sit still so it was very difficult to...

forums.avianavenue.com

Mango Update

Hey everyone! For anyone that still remembers my little buddy, Mango, from this thread: What kind of conure is this? | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum, I thought I would post a little update. I am excited to say that Mango now loves to sit on my hand for hours, and as of last Friday, she let me...

forums.avianavenue.com

It's taken a lot of patience, compassion and hard work from Craig, but Mango is now a happy and social bird.

I would partly cover the cage to give the bird more of a feeling of security. At the moment it's more important that he eats, even if it is a seed mix you don't want to feed long-term. You can always change diet later on. If he's not eating at all then you need to see a vet - there could be an underlying reason.

Go slow and let him dictate the pace. At first, just hang out quietly in the same room - you can read a book out loud, or put on some quiet TV or music. Silence is scary to parrots but you probably don't want lots of loud explosions either. Let your bird approach you and initiate any contact. It probably will take time but try not to worry about it, and don't compare yourself to others whose birds immediately accepted them. Every bird is different.

 

[flyzipper]

You're getting some good advice about socialization and food, but I would encourage you to check local lost pet forums and animal shelters to see if a similar bird has been reported lost or stolen. Is the little guy banded or microchipped? If you find a match, the real owner should be able to tell you what the band number is (don't disclose it yourself), and if there's a microchip, that makes finding the rightful owner easier.

Thanks for giving the little guy a chance at a better situation.

 

[jasperboot]

Just an update. After sitting in one place without moving for three days, the little guy is crawling all over his cage today and grumbling to himself. I've been feeding him seed mix, mixed greens and chopped fruit. So far the only thing i've seen him eat is a sunflower seeds and maybe a bite of grape. Hopefully he'll start trying something else!

 

[jasperboot]

Thank you for rescuing this little bird.

You might like to read these threads by @cab124 who rescued a very unsocialised, frightened little conure.

What kind of conure is this?

I saw this little girl sitting all alone in a pet store today. The attendant told me that she is a very young nanday conure (probably a female, but not sure), but it looks more to me like a pineapple green cheek. Sorry that it is blurry, but she would not sit still so it was very difficult to...

forums.avianavenue.com

Mango Update

Hey everyone! For anyone that still remembers my little buddy, Mango, from this thread: What kind of conure is this? | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum, I thought I would post a little update. I am excited to say that Mango now loves to sit on my hand for hours, and as of last Friday, she let me...

forums.avianavenue.com

It's taken a lot of patience, compassion and hard work from Craig, but Mango is now a happy and social bird.

I would partly cover the cage to give the bird more of a feeling of security. At the moment it's more important that he eats, even if it is a seed mix you don't want to feed long-term. You can always change diet later on. If he's not eating at all then you need to see a vet - there could be an underlying reason.

Go slow and let him dictate the pace. At first, just hang out quietly in the same room - you can read a book out loud, or put on some quiet TV or music. Silence is scary to parrots but you probably don't want lots of loud explosions either. Let your bird approach you and initiate any contact. It probably will take time but try not to worry about it, and don't compare yourself to others whose birds immediately accepted them. Every bird is different.

Thanks for the advice! The cage is partially covered and he definitely uses the coverage to hide when he needs it. I'm going to move him into my office today (I work from home) so he doesn't feel lonely. I tried putting him in front of a window that has a bird feeder nearby. The feeder is filled with birds of all kinds (grosbeaks, cardinals, titmouse, etc) but he definitely didn't like that. So I'm going to just keep him in my office but at a distance so he doesn't feel pressured.

 

[jasperboot]

You're getting some good advice about socialization and food, but I would encourage you to check local lost pet forums and animal shelters to see if a similar bird has been reported lost or stolen. Is the little guy banded or microchipped? If you find a match, the real owner should be able to tell you what the band number is (don't disclose it yourself), and if there's a microchip, that makes finding the rightful owner easier.

Thanks for giving the little guy a chance at a better situation.

Interesting - I'll check! He's not banded but I'd be shocked if he had a microchip. I live in rural Kentucky. People here are super nice but there's definitely a different attitude toward animals in the country. I used to live in Boston. I had a friend who adopted two shelter kittens that had been brought all the way from Puerto Rico or somewhere like that. Here in the country, unfixed dogs and cats are running all over having litters. It's heartbreaking.

 

[jasperboot]

Update on Bex the rescued conure: After a couple weeks the little guy is starting to unfreeze! He's eating some apples and melon. And, amazingly, he ate a little bit of millet that i was holding. He stays in the cage even with the balcony shelf open, but he's getting a lot more brave. I wheel the cage into my home office during the day so he can be with me and also look out the window at the bird feeder. The feeder is filled with birds that he can hear and see. I caught him beak grinding with one leg pulled up! So happy that he's feeling more at home.

 

[Wardy]

Good news about Bex

Are you still feeding Bex vegatables ?

Keep trying them mixed in with the fruit.

 

[Tyrion]

So glad you helped this lil bird

 

[jasperboot]

I did mix in fruits - he'll eat apple and banana. And a little bit of green lettuce. He'll let me stand next to him while he's eating millet, but I have to stay very still.