The new baby is home!
Hello, my fellow parrot people! Yesterday was a Very Special Day -- it was the day that I got to bring home my baby crimson-bellied conure! :D
He's pretty dull and muddy-looking, but in a few months he'll molt out of those baby feathers and grow in his beautiful adult colors, which will look like this:
The breeder had him surgically sexed and he's a boy (which was exactly what I wanted). He's a few days shy of 4 months old. Since he got home late last night, he's been really active and clambering around his cage, checking out his toys, chirping cutely, and eating and drinking normally. I'm sure he's pretty stressed out and confused, though, so I'm giving him plenty of space for a while before I start trying to handle and train him. His cage is positioned right next to my computer desk so in the meantime I'm spending lots of time sitting next to him, talking to him, and watching him. He's interested in me and comes over to stare at me frequently, but won't let me touch him. Getting him from his carrier to his cage was kind of tricky. I'm hoping this is just a normal response to me being a stranger? Does anyone have any advice for ways that I can show him I'm his friend and that my hands are not things to be feared? His breeder handled him a lot so I know he's hand tame, but he definitely doesn't act like it with me. This is my first conure (I've always had cockatiels) and I'm a little nervous about this and feeling kind of overwhelmed, so I'd appreciate any advice or feedback you guys could offer (particularly if you own conures).
Also, just out of curiosity (and for help coming up with interesting ideas), what are some of your birds' favorite treats?
Thanks guys! :)
He's pretty dull and muddy-looking, but in a few months he'll molt out of those baby feathers and grow in his beautiful adult colors, which will look like this:
The breeder had him surgically sexed and he's a boy (which was exactly what I wanted). He's a few days shy of 4 months old. Since he got home late last night, he's been really active and clambering around his cage, checking out his toys, chirping cutely, and eating and drinking normally. I'm sure he's pretty stressed out and confused, though, so I'm giving him plenty of space for a while before I start trying to handle and train him. His cage is positioned right next to my computer desk so in the meantime I'm spending lots of time sitting next to him, talking to him, and watching him. He's interested in me and comes over to stare at me frequently, but won't let me touch him. Getting him from his carrier to his cage was kind of tricky. I'm hoping this is just a normal response to me being a stranger? Does anyone have any advice for ways that I can show him I'm his friend and that my hands are not things to be feared? His breeder handled him a lot so I know he's hand tame, but he definitely doesn't act like it with me. This is my first conure (I've always had cockatiels) and I'm a little nervous about this and feeling kind of overwhelmed, so I'd appreciate any advice or feedback you guys could offer (particularly if you own conures).
Also, just out of curiosity (and for help coming up with interesting ideas), what are some of your birds' favorite treats?
Thanks guys! :)