I have an opportunity to adopt a sun...

[renaelock]

I am planning to getting a red factor sun from a breeder whenever they get around to me on their waiting list. But I have come across this 7 year old male sun that is looking for a home that was taken out of an abuse situation and has been living in his loving home for 3 years. It took this family 3 months before this sun conure was trustworthy enough to step up on their finger. I would like to rescue this bird, but still get the baby in the future. I have two questions, 1) should I even consider rescuing this boy since he was neglected and might need more experienced help? They said once he trusts you he is a great bird and they didn't mention any biting - which I can deal with if need be. 2) if I get this bird and get a baby (Male) in the future, will two male conures get along considering their age gap? Thank you for any opinions and reply's!! Also, I have read that if you get two suns they are louder because if one sceams the other will too. I am prepared for 1 sun scream, but is it any different having two suns?

[Jag]

I have a male Sun and Jenday...bonded pair that I've had for about 6 weeks. I've had to work with them a lot. I already had a Green Cheek and a Sun. I didn't realize that these new boys weren't friendly...until after I'd gotten them home. It's been a test...let me tell you!! I don't think I would have gotten them had I known... it's just a LOT of work. Yes, now my Sun Rico screams A LOT more than what he did...plus add in the other Sun and the Jenday..it's LOUD!!

Rico also has 'picked up' this high pitched screech that Angel does..so now I have it in stereo! If you have a good deal of time, can deal with some NASTY bites, and have a lot of patience (I'm learning patience now, LOL!) then I'd say go for it. However, be prepared for a lot of noise. The boys are much louder than Rico ever was on his own. When one starts screaming, they all scream. It drives my kids nuts sometimes. I FINALLY got them to 'step up' on my arm...but Angel bit the snot out of me. Papi, however, did not bite and looked very proud of himself. Every little thing (not screaming at the sight of me, taking food from my hand, etc) has been VERY exciting. However, they are still by NO means tame. I almost gave them to a rescue after the first week when I realized they were not tame. I didn't feel like I had the experience, and I had NO idea what I was doing. I was so scared I was going to make them worse!

I still wonder off and on if they'd be better off with someone who 'knows what they are doing'...but I've put that aside for now. It depends on how comfortable you are, how willing you are to deal with a LOT of noise, and how long you can put into dealing with a bird with 'issues'... because I don't think anyone can say that a bird that isn't tame will definitely become tame. Keep in mind, too, that you'll probably have to do a lot of research and question asking on how to deal with the specifics and day to day things...so that the bird makes progress and doesn't get worse. This board is full of people who've either had experience with this or do a fair amount of training/breeding. It still doesn't make the actual 'living' with an untamed bird much easier, but it helps a lot!!

Let us know what you plan on doing. Is this your first bird? Do you have any bird experience? I hadn't had birds that long when I got these guys, and I felt like I wouldn't be able to do it. So far, though, it's going well...just slowly.

[RockysMom]

I have a male sun and I can tell you by himself he is very loud. He's not a bad bird, but he is just loud. For him it is really in the morning and evening. I couldn't imagine having two of them though! As far as whether or not they would get along, they might and they might not. There is really no way to tell until you have both. I don't have anyother birds right now, but if I had to guess, Rocky would probably hate another bird, I would have to keep them seperate. Some of the smaller conures are known to be nippy, not all are, so he might not be a bitter. There is a difference though between biting and being nippy imo. We got Rocky as a baby and he was a bitter, so we have been working on that, but he is still nippy. If he doesn't like something or doesn't want to be messed with he will let you know with a nip. I know the signs though and can stay away when I need to. From other people on the board who have suns like me describe there birds as needy, loud, demanding, but also very loving and sweet. So a bird from an abuse situation is going to take some work, and with the personality of a sun it might take a little bit of time, but if your commited to helping him (and taking a few bites), owning a sun is the best! Even if they don't get along though you could still have both you would just have to supervise them (especially if they will both be flighted). Rocky has been an adjustment for me, since he is my first bird, but I love him to death, and he is a great bird, besides my bf he is the love of my life!! I recommend to anyone who can tolerate the noise to get a sun!! Good luck in your decision, and keep us posted!!

[perchingbird]

I think, if you can, that you should go visit the rescue sun and watch his interactions with his current family for an hour at least.

They say he doesn't bite once he gets to trust you and that may be true. It just seems that a lot of people re-home a parrot thinking they're getting one thing and find out they are getting something completely different.

Two suns will be loud, and the young one you get later will learn pretty much all the bad habits you haven't worked out of the older one. It is possible to get them to reduce their screaming. My sun screamed only in a few situations: when I or my boyfriend came home (we encouraged this by getting excited with him... it was the "flock comes together yay!" time), and when he went into Alarm Bird mode (something scary went by, like a hawk, or the very frightening Balance Ball), and sometimes when I was on the phone. >< They are flock birds, though, so if one of determines it is time to scream, for whatever reason, the other one will likely follow suit.

How much time do you have to work with the rehome sun before a young bird may be available? If it is within a year, I'd suggest choosing one or the other rather than both. My sun was bonded to me, and it took a year and a half for my boyfriend to be able to pick him up and pet his head without biting.

[renaelock]

Thank you for all of your reply's. I have decided to adopt and hopefully rehabilitate the adult sun. I still may get a baby in the future, but my focus is on this boy right now. He will need work, but I have the patience and time to work with him. To answer some questions: I have had a cockatiel when I was younger and I house sit an african grey that likes to bite and won't come out of his cage. I got to pet his head about every other day through the bars and only got one chunk taken out of my finger. And thats really good for that grey! Right know I feel happy because I am helping this family and this bird will never be rehomed again (I'd be the 3rd family). I don't know yet if I will be in over my head or I will have a great companion for the next 20 years or both. Again, thank you all for your comments! Wish me luck, I'm starting this adventure on Friday!

[debbielabella]

good for you! looking forward to pictures!