Animal Stories - People Talking About Conures



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Latest Animal Stories on Conures (532)

Toni Meyer - 2012-07-04
Hi I have a 2 year old I was told that it was a male. How can you tell if it's a male or female?

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Charlie Roche - 2012-07-04
The only 100% way to determine if it is a male or female is through DNA sexing. You can purchase the DNA sexing kits in the back of the Bird Talk magazine in the classifieds. A breeder would be able to tell you with about 75% accuracy whether it is a male or female by the shape of the head. The males head is flatter and the females head is a smooth curve from the eyes up and over the top of the head to the neck. The males head just looks flatter from the side. Other than that, if it ever lays an egg - it is a female.

michelle - 2012-06-22
Hello, I have a Nanday whom I guess is now around 20 years old (I've had him 17 years). Lately he has become extremely fussy about eating and spends most of his time now sitting (similar to roosting I guess) his plastic balls with bells in. I am just wondering if the toys are destracting him from eating since he doesn't move unless I take him to his food! I have just weighed him and his weight does seem to have dropped, last time he was weighed he was around 135g, today he is 100g. Can anyone suggest some food which might tempt him to start eating properly again. Thanks. Michelle

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Charlie Roche - 2012-06-22
The toys wouldn't stop him from eating. Is he/she sitting on the toys like he would be incubating eggs? If you think he believes the balls with bells are eggs - let him/her sit them for about 14 days and then remove them. Otherwise, let's try and give him some food that is easy and quick to eat. Scrambled eggs with the shells in. Mashed sweet potatoes. Some cracked walnuts that you can put by where he is sitting (roosting). Just some nuts - they like them and almonds are high in Vitamin A. Nuts are high in calories and they usually like them really well.
michelle - 2012-06-28
Hi, thank you so much for your reply, and sorry not getting back sooner. I will certainly try everthing that you have said. I do think he believes his toys are eggs, so will try and remove them, I think one at a time. Will also try the scrambled egg with shell, never thought of that before. I know he likes a little chicken now and again. Again thanks for your help. Michelle

Tiki Bird - 2012-06-07
I have raised my blue crown from a baby. He talks all the time, never shuts up, if you don't talk with him, he will start sayin 'poor tiki, poor poor tiki', he has a huge vocab, pet stores are amazed at his vocab when they hear him. He use to be so sweet, he would step up on my finger, he kissed my mom, my daughter made a tinker toy perch on wheels and would pull him around...that was up until he was about 2, now he is meaner than a hornet, he is entertaining, and he loves your company, but he will not step up, and he bites if you get near him. What causes this? Tiki is about 8 years old.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-06-07
What causes it - I am not sure but I called it the terrible two's. It seems my parrots went through the infant and cudly stage and then the terrible two's. However, I got to cuddly threes with pretty much all of them. Someone has to be boss and I think it is your Tiki. He can be RETRAINED (if that is really a word) but somehow, he got out of control (which most do) in the terrible two's but a person usually gets the control back in a couple of months. He can not bite the back of your hand if you make a fist and hold it tight with the back of your hand going toward his beak. Nothing for him to bite. You can say 'UP' and if he doesn't just grab his feet fast and he will get up. If you twist your hand slightly, he can't keep balance and bite also. You can enjoy him as he is or you can look for 'how do I train my parrot' classes or books. Up to you.... Either way he sounds fun and entertaining. To start, I would sure make sure he is not on his cage and on a neutral perch not by his cage. Realize that until around 20 years ago, most pet birds were wild caught and trained. Tiki is just being boss - it is up to you if you wish to change it. But he has to be removed from his cage to neutral teritory and learn. Have fun.
Tiki Bird - 2012-06-18
Now that you've mentioned removing him from his cage, I forgot to mention he is nicer when I remove him, but doing so is something. I have to wrap my hand in a towel (so he doesn't bite) and put my hand in his cage. He will not let me physically remove him, he flies to the ground. When he is on the ground, he is sweet, he picks his foot up for me to pick him up. I can pet his back, and sometimes carefully stroke his tummy, but don't get to comfortable with him, because he will nail you. When he was old enough for a cage, I bought a cheap cage from a pet store (it's about 4 ft high X 2ft wide X 2 ft deep). Several years ago, we bought him a nice cage that would cost about $500. He HATES it, he sulks, won't talk, won't eat, won't bath, won't play with toys, won't go out of it. It is really nice, the top opens up with perches on top with food and water bowls (it's about 6-1/2 ft tall X 4 ft wide X 4 ft deep). We finally had to put him back in his old cage, and he is happy as a lark. I guess the other cage is for the birds. Now, we are trying to find someone to buy the big cage, because he wants nothing to do with it.
Charlie Roche - 2012-06-18
Parrots have really distinct personalities and likes and dislikes. They are territorial and frequently become very protective of their cage. Usually, if they are removed from that territory - they are a whole lot calmer. I have never heard anyone have a problem with a conure coming OUT of a cage. They will do everything to not GO IN their cage. They prefer peoples shoulders, their heads, laps. A person has difficulty geting them off --

Think about what your little guy is doing when he gets feisty. Is he thinking you might be trying to put him back in his cage? Can you just leave his cage door open and he can go in and out (when you are home) as he pleases? Conures really WANT to be with their family and will get difficult if they believe you are going to reutrn him to their cage. Anyway, try and figure out what he is getting mad/upset/feisty about and then maybe you can change the behavior. Foot toys, flip him upside down and 'time out'

I don't get the new cage thing but if you want you can put the new cage next to the old cage with the toys etc in the new cage. Then put the food in the new cage and leave the doors open - he will go to the new cage gradually (especially if you don't look) but familiarity of old toys etc - Also, what was the location of the new cage. Farthur away from family. Conures are extremely flock oriented - they want their family and need to be by them and see them They do not behave well on their own and that's when they will make noise.

Kitchen mit or anything - if you tried to get him out that way - he is going to be scared - think KING KONG coming after you in your bedrrom - so leave the door open and let him come out. Can he fly down from his cage or fly to you? Try and concentrate on his behaviors and ask yourself why he is doing it?

sue makin - 2012-03-25
I have a green cheeked conure parrot, donot know the sex, it is 18 weeks old and is bonding with me very easily, when I give it a scratch around its his head and neck it of course loves it, then I will stop for a minute and sometimes it will turn around and kinda push its bottom (I suppose you call it that) right up against my hand which is resting on the table and its tail feathers are up above my hand and then it gives a little wiggle and shakes its little wings, kinda like a little flutter and then a little wiggle again, do you know what it is doing?

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Brandi - 2012-06-16
You might want to check with a vet and make sure the bird isn't using you to masturbate. I know that is gross and the first thing you think is ewe...no. Birds need to get theirs too. You want to be the 'mommy' or 'daddy' but not the significant other. They will attach to one person, and that person becomes their 'mate' their 'better half' their 'bonding partner' and even new owners to a great bird will never have that relationship as the first one established. That's why you arent suppose to put a mirror in conures cages. Next to cockatoos they are the second most affectinate bird on the market. You want your bird to love you and look up to you and be your best friend...but not is lover. Im not saying that's what it IS doing...but I am saying be careful what kind of relationship you establish.

Randy Frito - 2010-06-24
I have had a "patti" for about two years. His name is Squeakers. He is loud and very protective of his cage. He seems to be in love with one of my amazon parrots. I love him so much but he does not like to be with me. He will bite if I try to take him from his very large cage. I live in Mexico and I want to buy him a mate. These birds are not common here in Mexico so it could be awhile before I find one. Everyday I sit by his cage while working on my computer. I tell him how beautiful he is and how much I love him. He just sits there and screams but it doesn't bother me because he is one of my best friends. I don't know what I would do if I lost him.

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Ann - 2012-06-06
It's wonderful you love your bird so much. Try using a perch for him to step up so he can still come out, clipping his wings might help too. Good luck and many years of happiness for you and your birds! :)

Brian - 2006-06-21
We are proud to be owned by three Queen of Bavaria conures: one pet & a pair of actively producing, breeding; 7 year olds. I'll leave the breeders story for another time BUT, our pet Queen, is the most spoiled of all our birds. She has a limited vocabulary and often says words like: "C'mon Schwettie, Goldie! Come here!, Here baby"... and other simple phrases. When my wife opens the front door to come home the first thing we hear (in a FRANTIC, DESPERATE, voice) is... the Queen screaming: "MAMA! MAMA! MAMA!" She will also go up to our African Grey's face (almost beak-to-beak) and scream at them: "GO! GO!" Of course, meaning: "move-on Buster! This is MY Mom!!". To take a bath she, dunks her head in a bowl full of water and then shakes like a dog to wet the rest of her body until she's thoughly drenched. Then she is wrapped-up in a receiving blanket like a little baby cocoon and... whisked-off down the hallway, to the bathroom, as my wife sings to her "little-baby-bumpkin- wrapped-like-a-pumpkin... little-baby-bumpkin - wrapped-like-a-pumpkin..." etc., etc. Our Queen (and my wife) think the bird is a human, I guess. That's all I have for now.

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cesar - 2011-06-26
Hello! I have a pair of queen of bavaria conures and I would like to know how to reproduce them. I would like to know how to prepare a reproduction area for them. I appreciate if you can help me. Please contact me. Thanks! cesar.gonzalez@ibstg.com
Charlie Roche - 2011-06-27
I bred 2 pairs of Queens in their own 4 x 4 x 6 foot flight cages using a boot box nest box. I used the boot box from China Prarie farm. The Queens were all my pets and I had hand fed them initially. When they were 3 years old I set them up in their own flight cages with the boot box nest box. I used care fresh (about 3 - 4 inches) on the bottom of the nest box. They were on the porch. I went out and the one pair was going totally nuts flying back and forth from the feeding dish to the nesting box and I knew they wanted me to look. I did and there were little eggs in there - just 2 but they turned out to be fertile and they did feed and I could pet the babies in the nest box. The second pair didn't reproduce till the following year. So in short I used a flight cage and a boot box nest box and fed them well. Good luck.
Yohana Forte - 2011-09-07
Hello, I am new to this site. I loved your story about your Queen of Bavaria. I was wondering if you knew of where I could get one? I am aware they are on the endangered list and in some cases permits are necessary but I would definitely love to help the breed. They are absolutely gorgeous.

Hope to hear from you soon!
Yohana
ann - 2011-11-13
you can buy them in florida at golden cockatoo of you have a license but im not sure if they ship out of state but its worth taking a look at. heres the link:
Golden Cockatoo just copy and paste it in the search bar or google "golden cockatoo"
hope this helped and good luck :)
cathy - 2011-11-14
lmao
sahil ismail - 2012-05-29
i m reaal happy to hear about breeding of golden conurs i have put 2prs for breeding with all my other conurs but ofcource all r in individual cages is it true box shld be in darker side ,pl advice thanks

Ramdhan Cindy - 2012-05-17
Hi my name is Cindy. I just got a 3 month old Golden -capped Conure as a mothers day gift. I been trying to bond with him. He won't let me touch him. Everytime I try he bites my finger. I try takin him out of his cage he won't budge. I left the door open he still wont come out. I don't know how to aproach him so am asking if anyone has any tips on how to train him. It will be greatly apreciated thank you. I need help.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-05-17
First you have to get him out of his cage but don't put your hand in the cage to get him out. Put his food and water outside the cage. You can pput millet or pieces of apple outside the cage. He will come out. Once he is out just talk to him, sing, laugh act nutty do whatever so he realizes you aren't scary or a threat. Eat with him - start feeding him with your hand something like cheerios. You now have him out of his cage and you can feed him with your hand --- here comes the hard part. Make a fist and see if he tries to bite the back of your hand. No way can a bird bite a tight fist - keep your thum down. Let him get used to doing this and realize it does not bother you but it doesn't hurt him either. At this stage you can try and just have him get up on your hand. You are relaxed as you realize he can't hurt you with the bite on your fist and he is relaxed cuz he realizes you aren't going to hurt him. If that works then you are home free. If you try this and stillnot comfortable or doesn't work then here's the really hard scary part -- just pick him up - just pick him up. If you think he is going to bite, put a towel over him and pick him up in the towel. Now hold him - he might be in a towel but just hold him. Uncover his little head and slowly pet the top of his head. Hold him close to your chest so he can hear your heart beating. This process could take a few weeks so go slow - real slow. It is more important that you learn the birds body language than it is for you to go fast.

LaShelle - 2012-05-16
I bought my GCC about a month from a local pet store, but he is exactly one year old. My GCC name is Jessie, he is a lover, nosey, and greedy bird. I can't do anything without him stalking me. Jessie loves his attention he would do anything to get his attention from such as making noises, bobbing his head up and down or anything else. One thing I could said is he loves to bite me when I touched his red bowl anything else he won't bite me. Jessie loves to cuddle with me while watching television or want to take a nap with me. I consider Jessie as my child I do anything for him to make him happy, and he does things to make me happy by trying to help me with my homework on my laptop by pressing the keys with his beak and he loves to play mancala with me on my touch screen phone by using his tongue. GCC is a great bird to have. If you dislike kids don't get GCC because they act like a child; they demand attention, won't leave your side, make loud noises, make huge mess, and sometimes they bite hard. If you decided to get a GCC do your research first before buying a GCC, because GCC is not for everyone.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-05-17
A Green Cheek may not be for everyone but there are just a few who wouldn't get attached to this velcro bird with its antics and affection.

Tim Nava - 2012-03-30
I have a 1 month old and 2 week old Jenday Conure. It has been weaned but it's a miracle that it's eating and drinking and pooping. Of course his name is Sonny but I have a question. Is it ok if I take him out to petstores like petsmart or pet fun or should I wait he's really tame but young.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-03-30
Never ever in a gillion years take your bird to a pet store unless extremely reputable parrot store and there are very few of those. Pet chains get birds from wherever they can get them at the cheapest prices from whatever breeder. Disease, poor health and sick birds are common and a person is just downright lucky if they get a bird and it is healthy. They sure can't really know the age. P{eople write in all the time about buying from these chains and bird dies a week later or they can't handle the bird, bird bites or cage bound so never ever take a bird to a pet chain. You can take him anywhere else (not bird shows though either). If you go to a bird show or handle a bird at a store make sure you throughly wash your hands before picking your little guy up. Weaned --- seeems a little early - not to early to be eating on his own but a little early to not have someone giving him food. Why don't you try giving him some baby sweet potatoes or apricots with a spoon or from your finger before he goes to bed to make sure belly full. Yeah - I am one of those moms. No pet stores. This little fella should be so tame you can kiss his beak, tickle his feet and cuddle him all you want - might still be having balance problems with the 'UP' so make sure you hold him but start the 'UP' but just gently hold his back as he steps 'UP'
Krystal - 2012-05-16
I had bought a conure from a pet store, but the problem is I cannot figure out what type he is he looks most like the Jenday (way to green for the sun) but he looks a little different and little less yellow on top of his head. Is this normal? He has been hand raised and is like our little baby. As I am typing this he is nestled up in my hair on the side of my neck making it difficult to type lol. Does he look a little different because he is a baby?
Charlie Roche - 2012-05-16
Conures do not get their adult coloring until after their first major molt. So your little fella won't have his colors till around October of this year. First major molt occurs at the end of the summer.

Pat Johnson - 2012-05-10
We found a Nanday Conure after a storm in the neighbors tree 4 years ago. For no particular reason, we assumed it was male. I have been putting the bird out on the patio this spring in the cage, and today the bird laid an egg. Does the bird have to be fertilized with a male bird to produce eggs??? Or could another bird breed my conure from outside her cage??? We are extrememely puzzled and she is very fussy around her cage today, she is inside now. This is bizarre to me and my husband.

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Charlie Roche - 2012-05-11
A female doesn't need a male to produce eggs. Sometimes they just lay an egg. If she wants to sit it, let her as she will probably lay additional eggs (up to 6). She may sit them but they don't usually sit them until the last egg is laid. You can put the egg on some shredded paper towel or sawdust in a bowl or tupperware container and just let her sit them until she gets bored - or just throw them out after 20 days. You don't want her to just keep laying eggs cuz calcium defienciency. Think of chickens. A female parrot laying eggs without a male is not all that unusual. Just happens sometimes.

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