New to forum, back to birds and a new green cheek

[Gesq1]

Hi folks!

I just recently adopted a Green Cheek Conure. He's still being handfed and should be weaned soon. I'm excited to bring him home! I haven't decided on a name - but I've narrowed it down. Pardon my use of masculine pronouns here - but I don't think I'm going to have him sexed and I don't want my fiancee to get to jealous.

I went to visit him today and play a little bit before I take him home in a few weeks. I was told to visit him as often as possible so he could get used to me. I wish our scheduled play date went a little better! The little bugger has a decent bite on him - broke skin and all. He did behave himself for a little while but usually ended up trying to crawl up my arm and on to my shoulder so he could fly back toward a cage full of his feathered friends. The breeder said she would cage him separately and interact with him more in the next few weeks as he is weaned.

I understand the concept of not letting him know that you're reacting to bites and I'm trying to do that. He'll step up without much difficulty. I had a cockatiel many years ago that wasn't very friendly and I'm worried that my GC will be similar in temperament.

I suppose I'm just looking for a little reassurance that my new buddy will get used to me. I'm still really looking forward to bringing him home! Any advice and tips will be appreicated!

[Ashling]

Originally Posted by Gesq1

Pardon my use of masculine pronouns here - but I don't think I'm going to have him sexed and I don't want my fiancee to get to jealous.

That's adorable!

Congrats on your new baby, and don't worry he will get used to you. He is only doing what comes natural- returning to his flock mates. In the wild, without them, he would surely be picked of by a predator. It sometimes helps to think of them as wild animals- because, really- that's what they are! He just needs some time and patience to learn to trust you and soon he will consider you his flock mate Can't wait to see pics of him in his new home! Around how long till he is weaned?

[LovelySydney]

Hi & welcome!!! It is nice that you get to go visit your little one before you bring him home, how fun! GCC's make wonderful pets, they are little clowns and very entertaining. Youve come to the right place for information, this place is overloading with it!!

[hollyhawkz]

Our little guy had a good bite on him before we brought him home. He still bites, as most conures do, but he has learned how hard/soft to bite. The first while they test their beaks and really have no idea how hard they are biting. Nothing worked when we first had Wawa home. I started making a short squeak noise whenever he bite, the same noise he makes if he hurts himself. He immediately stops. They are smart and can put two and two together.

[NotEnoughTime]

Welcome!

Originally Posted by Gesq1

I understand the concept of not letting him know that you're reacting to bites and I'm trying to do that. He'll step up without much difficulty. I had a cockatiel many years ago that wasn't very friendly and I'm worried that my GC will be similar in temperament.

I highly doubt that your Green Cheek will be similar in temperament to your cockatiel. Green Cheeks are highly social in nature and need company (at least from what I've read and experienced). So it is more likely that you will be fending off a bird... :-)

Check out my (BirdBoard.Com - Parrot Message Board & Pet Bird Owner Forums - Not Enough Time!!!) and hsmoscout's (http://www.birdboard.com/forum/blogs...les-story.html ) blogs on this board...

[Gesq1]

Thanks for the welcome, folks! I'll be sure to keep you guys updated!

Also, thanks for the advice. I'm sure he'll get used to me eventually. I guess I'm just a bit skittish as it has been a while and I was concerned about repeating old mistakes.

I should be able to bring him home in roughly two weeks. In the meanwhile I'm looking for a nice cage and a nice playground and pricing them out. I want to keep the playground close to my work space (I tend to be at my desk a lot) and move it with me for vegging out with the television.