Animal Stories - People Talking About Conures



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Latest Animal Stories on Conures (533)

alvaro gonzalez - 2006-10-07
I would like to give a warning to half-moon conure lovers. My baby died a couple of weeks ago at the hands of a competent vet where I live, Miami, that as a part of a yearly checkup drew blood from her. By doing that he somehow caused her to have an internal blood hemorrage. She died a couple of minutes later. She was perfectly healthy and didn't need to go see the vet, but I loved her so much I took her in to make sure everything was all right. If I would have ever been told or read somewhere that small birds can experience something like this, I never would have taken the chance. Her death has totally devastated me and changed my life forever, not to mention the emptiness I feel at all times. I suppose only an owner and lover of this bird knows what I mean. So please warn all those that own half-moon conures that there is always a possbility that when they take their beloved birds to the vet, and have him draw blood, that the bord might just die.

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LYNND - 2011-12-09
I lost an adopted Half Moon Conure after just three years due to a sudden bleed out. It occurred in the early AM and it was discovered after he bled to death. He had not suffered an injury. Subsequently, I learned about something called Conure Bleeding Disorder. It is thought to affect some species more than others, and the Half Moon variety is one of them. It is thought to be a clotting disorder. The debate has not been settled as to whether or not it is a virus of some kind or dietary deficiency of calcium and vitamin K (which comes almost exclusively from green vegetables and not from fruits or other types of foods).

All it took for him to bleed to death was about 1 tablespoon of blood from the nostril and mouth and there was no sign of any clotting.

Our Half Moon Conure, Ricky Doodle, had a vocabulary of 60 words (including phrases). He was picking up new things all the time. He knew exactly what he was saying and would insist that we come "right now". He could identify my husband and I by name. He also was beginning to identify certain foods by name. We lost him February 26, 2011 and it is still breaking our hearts like the death of a child (because we have no children and he was our baby).

If you own one of the conure species that is susceptible do not get blood drawn and do not assume that a fruit, seed or pellet-heavy diet is adequate. If your veterinarian isn't familiar with CBD, find another one ASAP. We, too, had him in for a healthy bird checkup and were not warned of this common and hearbreaking problem.

Janet - 2011-04-06
I was given a conure from a friend of my sisters. She told me that she rescued "Baby Bird" from a neighbor that had put "him" under a porch balcony in a caged area, where the wire was hit with rocks, shoes, sticks and whatever else. But she could no longer keep him because she had to move and no pets were allowed. I have read the info you have here on your website. He is not very sociable, but will take food from mine and my kids fingers, but not open hands (he shys away, like he is scared). We have never mistreated him nor intend to ever. However, he has a very HIGH pitch squack, that is ear piercing sometimes. I read here that they use that pitch if feel uncomfortable or insecure. We have had him for about a year now and he is still doing it. He does no tricks, but does attempt to make a noise at night ressembling a kiss somewhat when I cover his cage. Would you happen to have any suggestions as to how I can help him feel more secure and tone done his pitch. Thank you very much for your time. Janet Gibson P.S. We even have other birds that are in the same area he is located and that he can associate with.

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Charlie Roche - 2011-04-06
Conures are notorius for making noise. They are very expressive so watch him and eventually he will make sure his human is trained. You can feed him with your fingers so try and get him to come into the palm of your hand by placing the treat in your palm. Alternative is to just grab him like you would a kitten and hold him to your heart. When he settles, gently pet the top of his head and sides of his face. His feathers will fluff up. Be patient and go slow. Sounds like he is hand shy. Possibly because he never learned or somehow was frightened. They are smart birds and react to affection. They are strongly bonded to their human so just try and hold the little fella.

Catherine - 2011-12-01
Lost our Blue crowned Conure (Neo) last night...My husband has had him for 12 yrs. Just out of the blue he got very lethargic, feathers puffed up and appeared to be breathing more rapidly. Has anyone ever experienced their birds getting sick so rapidly? I would like to know what could have happened. Nothing in his environment had changed. Would appreciate any info that might be helpful. Thanks.

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Charlie Roche - 2011-12-01
I am so sorry. I know what it is like and I feel bad for you. Parrots usually have a long life span and a conure is no exception. Just like anything though some pass at a younger age. When a parrot gets ill - they hide it real well for awhile. Instinct. So most often by the time a person realizes their parrot is ill - it is too late to get it to the vet. It could be anything from a inborn heart defect to possibly it ate something toxic. You can have a necropsy done by a vet but it costs and the chances of it happening again is pretty rare. Also, the vet may not find a cause. Things happen. I am sorry.
Catherine - 2011-12-01
Charlie, thank you. I appreciate your reply. It will be one of those things we will rack our brains for quite some time. They are beautiful birds and Neo like the other BC's I have read about here are amazing each with their own personalities and endearing to their people. Really appreciate your response. Thank you
Charlie Roche - 2011-12-01
You are so welcome. Yeah, I love the conures - my human has one too. They make wonderful companions.
Larry - 2012-03-06
Our little Nemo passed last night pretty much in the same way. My wife had him for 21 years. He was diagnosed with a kidney problem a few months ago and was daily meds and a special diet. We knew he had health issues, but were shocked how quickly he went from normal to very ill. He blew kisses to my wife and went into the corner of the cage. He seemed like he wanted to be left alone all puffy and breathing heavy. Birds do hide their illnesses well. Enjoy their company. They are great companions.

Raeanne - 2012-03-05
I have a question: My concure goes to the bottom of his cage and rolls onto his back and takes his plastic ring and looks like he is doing curls with it - is this normal??

My husband does not believe me because Oscar will not do it in front of him and when I want to take a picture he moves to quickly.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-03-05
Yes, it is normal. Conures are great acrobats and comical and they will do just about anything to get a person to laugh. I know what you mean about not doing it in front of another person too. Conures do lay on their backs and will sorta juggle a toy or roll a ball. They will turnover or swing by your hair with just one foot. They are just a lot of love and fun.

Rebecca - 2012-02-27
How do I get my JJ Conure to stop chewing on our clothes? I have been saying no and pushing his face away, but he goes right back. He'll even stop for a second to the word no, but returns to chewing. He has plenty, and I mean plenty of other toys and stick ect. to chew on but he loves our clothes. How do I get him to stop?

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Charlie Roche - 2012-02-27
I don't know if you can actually get a conure to stop chewing on clothes. I gave up and gave mine old socks and socks inside socks to chew on. It worked.

boriqueen - 2012-02-18
I have a 16 yr old blue crown and this is her third time laying eggs. I however don't know how long I should wait before it is a serious problem. She was just laying on the bottom of the cage last night . Today she seems more active but only has one egg and is all swollen on the bottom side. How long should I let her be before its an emergency

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Charlie Roche - 2012-02-18
If she is on the bottom of the cage because there is no other flat space, or nest box or bowl for her to sit in - then it is an emergency now. Third time laying eggs? Where does she lay them? Do not remove the eggs. If she has laid the eggs and you don't let her sit them for a least a couple of weeks or until she doesn't want to - she will just lay eggs again and you run the risk of her becoming egg bound. If she is laying on the bottom of the cage and inactive - I would get her to the vet. If she has laid an egg in a food dish, a nest box, anything and the egg is still there - you have two more to go. She would be swollen on the bottom side cuz of the eggs but my concern based on your description is if she is egg bound. I'd get her to the vet.
Charlie Roche - 2012-02-18
I saw that you had responded to another person concern over her conure and your little gal is still egg bound. I am recommending that you get her to the vet as soon as possible because most of the time the home remedies and trials do not work. I also realize this is the weekend so I tried to find something I thought might help. I hope this helps you and she is all right Egg Binding

Tony Bilsborough - 2012-02-18
We have just purchaes a patagonian conure parott. He has a ring on this being JRBB 303 does anyone know what this means? How do you age a parott also? Thanks Tony

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Charlie Roche - 2012-02-18
The ring is the breeders band identification. The breeder is JRBB or JRBB aviary and the number 303 usually stands for the baby number so the 303 rd baby born there (or close to it). It is how breeders keep track of babies, parents etc. How you tell the age - minus certain phases like 2 months, 3 months, possibly a year, middle age and old age - beats me. I never thought of it cuz I always knew how old mine were.

Pam Aguirre - 2012-02-03
My little guys name is Ozzie. He walked up to my boss one day in his yard. My boss put him in a box and brought him/her to the restaurant. Ozzies family lived in a tree in my bosses yard. I have had Ozzie for about a year and a half. He is wonderful and is a big show off. Talks up a storm, sings and plays games. I don't know what life would be without him now.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-02-03
Birds have a way of picking their human companions. This is one unique way of doing it though. Fantastic and happy for you.
Donna Kepner-Wynn - 2012-02-15
IM JEALOUS!!! :))))Is he named after THE Ozzie?

Donna Kepner-Wynn - 2012-01-06
7 months ago my Meyers parrot was injured by one of my daushunds and she died that night I had raised her from a baby for 13 years (loved her!!)!.. She had jumped off her cage and I didn't know it immediately. I have now been asked to 'foster' a 16 yr old Conure, which I've only had for 9 days. But am realizing that he/she doesn't step up, is top of cage dependent,(a deal breaker is that this one doesn't climb down from cage, can't go thru that again(I've moved her/him willingly to a better cage)he/she won't allow any touch. I have SO many questions, but the #1 would be is there any hope 'Shelby' will EVER allow me to touch/or have him/her to step up ? I know those bites sting on the smaller, so I'm scared on this one. AM I TOO OLD ?? lol Give it to me straight ya'll )))

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Charlie Roche - 2012-01-06
NO YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD AND YES THIS WILL (NOTE I SAID WILL) work out just fine. Meyers are a little - well actually quite a bit more difficult than a conure. Meyers are loving and excellent body language and great companions. Conures don't have much of an independent bone in their body. They need crave companionship. Right now it is frightened and who knows what has happened in the past. Cage dependent - that is the hardest part is getting little Shelby to come off his cage. Talk to him, sing, hand him treats etc. Allow him and yourself the time it needs to not be afriad. Probably this will happen for both of you around the same time. Shelby is 16 and you have lots of time with Shelby to get to know each other. Cheerios are great treats and mine loves macoroni and tuna. Feed him off his cage the GOOD stuff. If you caqn let him eat off your plate or set a plate for him at the table. Anything to get him off his cage and sitting by you. Conures are velcro birds and once you have him off the cage - Shelby will want to be by you so just let him train you. Listen and learn and love the little fella. Conures are sooo very very social and loving. Major difference of opinion on people here but I do not clip wings. I teach them windows, walls etc and show them safe landings like bed, my head and sofas etc. I have had birds die as wings were clipped but never any problems with no clipping. The big guys walk around the house but my conure just flies from room to room with me or is always on my shoulder. If the conure can fly - doubt it would get down on the floor. Conures are really easy to housebreak as return to perch or cage to potty - So conure is a great wonderful very social parrot and certaibnly one of the easier ones to form a bond with. It will take less time with a conure just because of their social nature. Conures are just not agressive by nature even while nesting much of the time. Expressive so they will train you well and you will learn quickly. They are also clowns and will go upside down, hang from your hair or shirt, sneak under the covers on the bed etc. Lots of luck and just go for it. I do not like BITE either - do not like. Meyers is a pinch bite and you recover quick. Conure is a grab and doesn't hurt as much but yes, watch Shelby and you will be able to tell if he is upset to the point where he will bite. Remember, it is only going to be fear with a conure which causes a bite - not aggression or territory so go slow.
Donna Kepner-Wynn - 2012-01-07
oh, oh, I found out Shelby rather likes tacos beef (just a tiny tiny piece) but it's like the biggest present!! Anything to say..Donnas fingers symbolize...'good':)))
Charlie Roche - 2012-01-07
Ahh you are welcome. So many do not realize what wonderful companions birds and other animals are-- mine are my children to and my bestest friends. So I know you will have a wonderful friend in your new little one. Relax and enjoy.
Donna Kepner-Wynn - 2012-01-07
Charlie, tears really tears...I needed and still will need that 'at a gal' buck it up mentality!!! My mom passed on in 1997 and Meyers was bought as a rememberance of her. So we grew up together. She actually died near midnite the exact same night Saddam Hussein was captured (imagine that)... I love my critters, and probably the Dog Whisperer would have a coronary around me... My animals ARE my little ones. Thank you thank you for taking time to do what you've done. Always open for MORE info as I feel like I have little freaking clue if I'm mending or messing up on this little one .
Renae - 2012-01-12
I'll do my best to give it to you straight. You can't replace the bird you lost and you can't expect for the new one to know how you want it to act. IT TAKES TIME. It takes YEARS sometimes. When you take in a bird that is older and passed around you take on all the baggage they have collected too. Don't give up, know that there simply are not that many people out there that know what to do or how to help these type birds. See if you wrap a towel over your arm if it will step up on that. I've seen some that feel better stepping on something they know they can grab if they loose their balance. We are on our seventh year with a very abused African Grey. She was REMOVED from a home due to conditions. The guy that had her pulled her feathers to make her mind better and his arms looked like hamburger because she let him know she hated him. She saw me with the other birds and knew I didn't do mean things so she was able to trust me sooner but my husband is just now able to move her without towels. Seven years but she will actually get down and go sit with him sometimes. Little by little we will win her over but we don't push. She is our best eater, the bird that never does anything wrong, never picks on the other birds. Was it worth waiting seven years? You bet it was. I look forward to seeing her continue to learn to trust us and enjoy the kisses I give her. BTW I can now pet her and touch her anywhere without worry.
At the time you wrote this you had given her nine days? Seriously? Sorry but they don't work on our time table and you will have to undo what ever crap has been done prior to your care. I think the biggest problem is that people don't think they have the depth of emotion they have. They have long memories and their intelligence is greater than some of the people I know. lol Your dealing with an intelligence of about a five year old child. Change will not occur over night. If you adopted a five year old abused child would you expect it to be back to normal in nine days? Your age is probably more of a good thing than bad. You have the wisdom, life isn't quite as demanding on you, and you probably already know that change takes time. You also know that there will be great satisfaction when that change comes. Take notes so you can see that change is being made. One possible way to win over a conure might be a shower. Buy a shower head that has a mister setting. When your done with your shower, adjust the temp to luke warm and get the bird. It was how my husband convinced our Conure that stepping up might bring a reward. Silly bird loves his showers. Good luck and don't give up.
Donna Kepner-Wynn - 2012-02-15
Renae, Really thanks for the words of wisdom. I'm still learning daily as she has such a different personality since we didnt grow up. And I don't know her history. We are now going into our 2 months together. I'm just letting
her go at her own pace. but I had tried for 3 days, the with holding food to only morning and evening, as an 'expert' that has teaching tapes suggested. I found her to be MORE nippy (I would be if someone did that to ME) I am finding nuggets of surprise, in her past life, she was taught to say 'Hello Stupid' (which Im trying to change to Hello Sweetie) and I tried to share a fruit icee on my finger with her and noticed she would raise her foot and put a nail into her own mouth!! I will try the towel wrapped on my arm. If I have a long sleeved shirt on I try to wrap my arms on the top of the cage, but ony 35% of the time does she not escape me by ducking and running. (I also don't wanna stress her out too much. I have no children (by choice) (now THEY scare me) lol. I have a new bigger cage 6 ft, to move her to, once I get her to step up. But dont know how to stagger
perches..I think I might be overdoing it. Any pearls of wisdom?

sirjoe - 2011-11-29
I recently adopted 'Chula' a Patagonian Conure from a family member. I'm not familiar with how she was raised but she has become very territorial with my husband. She does not allow me to get near him when she is resting on his sholder. She snaps at me and chases me away. I love her however I dont think our family can give her the attention she requires because of this behavior. Please help!!!!

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Charlie Roche - 2011-11-30
Conures are normally very good family pets. They like the whole family. I would feed her treats with your hand when hubby is not around and see if she comes around. She was just moved and your hubby is a man and maybe a gal hurt Chula or maybe he is the tallest in the home and birds will always go high. I would wait and see if you can bring her around. Feed her treats with your hand. Talk to her. Whistle or sing. Try and spend some alone time with her without hubby around and make a friend.

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