Ideas to welcome your new bird home....?

[sector550]

My wife and I are so excited! Our bird is ready to be brought home tonight. We already have a cage, toys and food (the basics). But what is the best way to welcome our bird to our home? It’s a Green Cheek Conure, about 4 months old. Any ideas to help him get used to the new environment so he's not (too) scared? Do we put him in his cage and leave him there for a while so he can get used to the cage and room? Do we try to play with him and take him around the house? Leave him outside his cage? What does everyone recommend? Any help is greatly appreciated! :)

[mmr]

for the first 2 days I just let them in their cage and let them alone. That way they can observe how the house is, noises, etc. Of course with an occasional hello from me or a sweet little tune sung by me. Then after the 2 days I let them out and poke around.

For them to get used to you, I would sit on the floor by their cage and sing to them, takl, or even take a nap. That way they didn't feel so intimidated by my me since I was asleep they could come down and investigate. Once I woke up to find my Macaw (first time ever at that time) on the floor of his cage looking at me. We were only about 2 feet away from each other. And he was really checking me out!

I also sit on the floor by their cage and eat supper as birds are "flock" eaters and love to eat together and I even sit by their cage and read a book.

My best advice it patience!!! Trust won't happen overnight!

[Lori~D]

I like what mmr said. I also like to not overdo the toys at first and try to bring home a toy they are used to or looks the same and stick it in the cage before you put them in. I also make sure I bring them home in the day if possible so they have plenty of light to get used to surroundings. The first night i dont cover the whole cage so they can "keep an eye out for predators" so to speak. Just the back and sides and I even leave a soft small night light on so the first night or two they can see there is nothing to be afraid of in this new place - they wil still get enough sleep. If they are not used to covers on feed dishes dont have any on. Look around and ask and see what they are used to and try to add some of those things to his new place. Green Cheeks are pretty inquisitive and resiliant little birds - you will do just fine...OH...I forgot...we must see pics to be sure,lol!!!

[Addicted to Tequila]

I guess it might depend on the bird. Mine was rearing to go since day one!

The Sun on the other hand needed some easing into.

[sector550]

I wonder if some balloons and a large banner would help? LOL

Thanks for all the help! We'll let everyone know how it goes and I'll add some pictures.

[Doyle'sMommy]

I would take the bird around the house and show the rooms to him and talk to him alot. Other than that I would let him get used to his cage by keeping the door open so he can explore it inside and out. Congrats!!

[kali]

i didn't do anything like that at first. we bonded from the first minute so we snuggled on the couch and played lots on the first day. i helped him explore the cage and play with toys and everything. not reall ythe 'correct' thing to do, but if i put him straight in the cage he probably would have cried haha

[HareTrinity]

General rule is to give them a bit of time to get used to their home in your home, i.e. their cage, as their spot of safety.

As a good rabbit guide said, "the hutch is not a bunny prison!" and it applies here I'm sure.

Try to act casual so they feel calm, blahblah. Just remember the bird is in a new place and worried and go with what comes natural and I'm sure it'll go fine!

[sector550]

It went well. Tiki was very shy when we took him out of the moving box. But quickly grew attached to my spiked hair! (Maybe he thought I was a big bird?) LOL. We set up the cage and introduced him to it. He was very shy all night which we expected.

We tried to put a blanket over his cage at night but his chirps made my wife quickly take it off. We thought about it and he wasn't covered during the night at the pet store so we took it off and he fell right asleep.

He ate and drank this morning which I was VERY happy to see! Funny how he wasn't too interested in me untill the times I wasn't interested in him. When I would turn to not pay attention to him he would then pay attention and get as close to the edge of me as possible. But when I wanted to hold or pet him, he'd run! lol. What a tease!

[mmr]

congratulations!

In time he will come around and not run away!