Trying fresh fruits and veggies w/new bird. Doesn't seem interested?

[celes]

My conure is from Petsmart. I believe he was fed mainly pellets and millet there. I'm trying to introduce him to fruits and vegetables..but he doesn't seem interested at all. In fact, he acts like he's never seen them before in his life and he's confused by them.

He'll check it out..but as soon as he realizes it's moist, he gets freaked out and backs off. He won't even attempt to bite or taste it. I offered apple and pear pieces and some baby carrots---all cut into tiny pieces. I'll offer him some more stuff later(I bought a variety).

Pelletwise, he's eating the Zupreem Avian Entrees - Garden Harvest. I don't know what type of pellet he was on at the store, so I had to switch him cold turkey, but so far so good...he appears to be eating it fine.

So how do you transition a bird with limited tastes to new stuff that's good for him?

[Lady Kakata]

Well, I can't speak for conures but I can speak from a cockatiel perspective; persistance is the key. My 'tiels didn't want to try something the first time it's presented to them, but being the nosey curious critters they are, they have a nibble at this weird stuff in their bowl and decide wither or not they like it. Eventually they have a preference as to what veg they like and what they don't.

Some birds are fussy about how their food is presented; I feed mine cut into small squares or longish strips. Others grate theirs or puree it. Perhaps you should put a small selection of veg that's safe for a conure into a bowl and just leave it in his cage. Change it every day but keep the selection the same. Eventually he SHOULD have a look at it, if not taste it

[Angelsmum]

Persistence and consistency ALWAYS is the key. You may get some ideas from my completed journal about my tiel in this section.

[maggy]

Yep persistance is the key, my budgie has only recently started to eat veges regularly after about five years. Have you tried sprouts, both the sprouted seed sort and the sort you buy in the shops for salads.

[jenseits]

Time, patience and persistence. Like others have said, just keep offering fresh foods. It may take weeks or even months, but eventually they'll eat some. I find it helps with my guys if I make a big deal out of eating (and enjoying) the food in front of them. If they don't recognize this stuff as food they need someone to show them it is safe to eat.