Extremely Dependent?

[Karley]

Sunny, my Sun Conure, is an estimated 16 weeks right now. He is extremely dependent on me, and insists to be on me at all times. If I set him down on his cage, or in his cage, he climbs right out or won't leave my hand. If I close the cage, he screeches and calls for me to come back, while running around the sides of the cage. The only time he goes into his cage comfortably is when he goes in it to eat, or is sleepy. I was wondering, is this because he is so young? I want to be able to put him in his cage, and know that when I'm in the other room, he isn't panicking. He doesn't really play with his toys yet, and generally just sits there or eats. Whenever I come home from school and let him out, he is always at the bottom of his cage sitting, or running around. I am worried that he will not get used to it, and won't play or go in there just for fun. What do you think? Is Sunny just extremely attatched right now because he's a baby? Or should I be taking a certain approach to this?

[DarwinTheSun]

Sun conures are extremely dependent birds in general (even as adults). My bird does the exact same thing, where he wants to be hanging off me all day. If I put him down, he pines to be picked up.

I think you can work on independence a bit, but know that he will never be "independent". When Darwin was a baby and he "flock called" to us, we would give a reassuring call from the other room. Get into the habit of rewarding behavior you like (if he says something, or rings a bell), but don't answer screams or you will have a screaming bird to deal with later. But I think that answering back something to him is important, so that he knows you are not abandoning him. Also, does he have a playstand? If you can stick him on it while you are in the same room, then maybe he will start to feel comfortable playing with you in sight.

[Karley]

Don't get me wrong, I love that he is dependent on me (makes me feel good =P) but I thought maybe I was doing something wrong!

[DarwinTheSun]

I like it too, but it is still good to get them to play by themselves. ;) There are times that I want him to be out, playing on his own. Then I can get some work done! Instead of telling him not to chew on my computer ever 5 seconds...

By the way, that is a super cute pic! I love baby sunnie beaks, all shiny and new!

[shibatimes3]

Hey, sounds like me! I can't seem to get anything done anymore as the fids always want to play! I agree with Darwin's mommy! Once they scream, it is hard to break the habit! But it's so hard not to come running! Beautiful baby by the way...... :)

[Bellco]

I have this issue also but with my bcc. I agree with ignoring the screaming cause it will only get worse. You mentioned him not playing with his toys I had that issue til my husband and I would sit down and played with his toys and showed them to him and try and teach him how to interact with them. Took a couple of weeks but now he is enjoying destroying his wood toys lol. He is still pretty needy does not like to be away from us so I reward him for when he is good. He will do anything for a nutriberry lol. So far it has helped me be able to go to other rooms and get things done without him screaming or throwing a fight for about 15-20 mins at a time sometimes less depending on how interested he is doing other things.

[BrightLight]

my birds are exactly the same way. as soon as i get out the shower after work and go to hang out with them they immediately fly onto my shoulder and will not leave. theyll get up if i put them on my finger and have them fly back to their cage, but they will come right back ;] if theyre in the cage and can hear others int he house they will scream until they find me(they do the same thing if i remove one of them from the room and leave the other, its almost as if theyre asking each other where they are, one screams loud and the other makes a similiar sound calling back to him). they arent as bad about it as when i first adopted them, but its still pretty much all day long every day.

the only time my birds are completely quiet is when theyre on my shoulder or eating their daily plate of fresh fruits, ;P i enjoy their company tho, so i dont mind any of it.

the only way i really tell them their behaviour is unacceptable is by putting them in their cage for a moment to calm down. seems to do the trick okay... sorry not much more of help. but for the most part what youre saying seems like pretty common behaviour ;] gl

[Karley]

Thanks everyone! I love Sunny to death, so I don't mind him being so dependent, but I've gone through a cellphone charger AND a mouse for my computer because he shy's away for just a second, and he's gotten them again! haha. I have been using a firm 'NO" also when he does something bad, but I think he is just amused with me. =p He knows I'll forgive him!

And thank you, Sunny IS a pretty birdie=]

[Karley]

I love your baby's bath picture! It's so cute! I can hardly get Sunny to even take a bath yet. He did once, but now he avoids it, and I'll come home to an empty water dish and a wet bird! haha! I'm thinking I am going to try the perch in the shower- thinking that maybe since he's so dependent, he'd like that much better? We'll see! =D