new sun conure owner!

[dellinda]

Hi My name is Linda and I am the owner of Sunnie, I brought him home 2 days ago. He was hand fed and I purchased him from a local pet store. He steps up well. What should I expect the next few days or rather what should I be doing to make him comfortable ( he not very shy) and enjoy more handling with out overdoing it!
Thanks for any advise!!
Linda

[2horse]

Congrats on the new sunnie. What is his name? How old is he? If s/he is very young he may regress a little and ask for more handfeeding. You can handle him, but you also need to teach him to play by himself or later he will turn into a screaming sun when he wants your attention and does not get it. Lots of people say that you should not handle him more now that what you intend to handle him for the next 30 years. He may not know what toys are for. He would also enjoy some sort of tent or box to sleep in. With regard to handling him it is best not to have him sit on your shoulder as he may bite an ear, also he needs to learn to step down from your shoulder. There is a lot of conflicting advise as to allow shoulder sitting or not. I chose to allow but the birds must obey the step off and they may not bite. A baby does not have a hard bite but you need to think about what happens later if he is allowed to do his own thing now. It is easiest to start as you mean to go on.

[dellinda]

My sun conures name is actually Sunnie ( I know ... original) He or she is 4 months old.

[2horse]

Sunnie is a good name. They are very hard not to spoil, very special birdies. If you look on here you will find a list of what they need and like to eat. Mine like to taste test my food, they sleep in a box and they enjoy shredding toys.

Info on What Fruit and Veg

this is a good list Monica posted.

[Valo's Moirana]

i agree with angie - handle him as much as you'll be able to in the future. also, he's in a transition period, getting used to the new home... giving him some time and letting him explore the new environment is a good thing.
other than that - enjoy the new baby....

[NikiAndBeyond]

Originally Posted by 2horse

You can handle him, but you also need to teach him to play by himself or later he will turn into a screaming sun when he wants your attention and does not get it.

I am very concerned about giving my upcoming bird too much attention!

[Valo's Moirana]

Originally Posted by NikiAndBeyond

I am very concerned about giving my upcoming bird too much attention!

just try to restrict yourself to a reasonable schedule you are able to keep in the long run...

[dellinda]

thanks for the advise. I have an appointment on friday with an avian vet. So I will go from there. I am just wanting to make sure I start off on the right foot with Sunnie. He knows step up and I am teaching him step down now. He will preen me but wont let me pet or scratch him yet. Also he will not touch any fresh foods. But will take food from my fingers. I just want him to transition smoothly.
Linda

[CrazyforCockatiels]

Congratulations, Linda!