Bonding Techniques

[fiishsticks]

I'm just curious to see what people can suggest for bonding techniques. I have a 11 month old sun conure who i've had since December. Unfortunatly, because of my schedule (i'm still in grade 12) im out most of the day so Kiiro is at home. But now since school is ending (yessss) I can finally spend those lost hours with him.

But the thing is, we dont really seem so close as before? It might just be me but yeah. I just want to know, what are some good ways to bond with your bird?

Thanks!

[lavender]

I really think eating together is a great way to bond.
If we're having an actual meal everybody gets their own plate, we all eat in the same room. If just a snack we sit together and share. Of course there are two seperate piles on my plate. One mine and the other birdie.

If I haven't planned a portion to share I have to hide. Our ekkie has zero patience. If you don't share in what he feels is quick enough he flies to you, or chases you around the room. Yes, this can be fun, and is very silly. Not silly when he lands on your drink and it goes everywhere.
Our blue crown conure just screams until you share. She's very persistent, I've been quiet suprised at her stamina. So it's just easier, and quieter, to make sure she gets her own.
Good luck.
I'm sure you'll have no problem bonding. Best way to spend those lazy summer hours anyway

[fiishsticks]

Sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the reply! :)

[xafsmom]

Kiiro has such an adorable little face! LOL

Yeah, sharing food works with mine. I also do a 'bath time' with some who enjoy being bathed. They get to snuggle under a towel on the sofa with me. Some prefer special 'outside' time. I honestly think that Kiiro will bond stronger again when he has more time with you over the summer.

[Courtzrocks]

Lol, umm..I'll try tell you the opposite to what I do then cos I try to discourage bonding here as it can lead to behavioral issues (screaming, aggression, etc) and if I have to go away I want my birds to be able to be handled by anyone so they can have time out of their cage. Ok..bonding..

You would be the only one who gives him treats or feeds him. Handle him as much as possible...umm...shower together (I do that though but other people have taken her too...she doesnt care who its with as long as she gets a turn in the shower). Although mine are partially bonded to me, they will come to me if they're scared but are happy to go to anyone that will give them attention.

[Laguna]

I have a Sun Conure and I work all day. I know your problem. My Mother, who is 97, is the one who is home all day with her. I got a bird tree, the kind that rolls around, and I put the bird on the tree and place the tree where the bird is in sight of me. That helps. At dinner or breakfast I give her a special treat and that is the only time she gets it. I have not had any trouble with bonding with her and neither has Mom. Even our neighbor can get the bird on her finger but this neighbor is over all the time. She never feeds her though. If my brother comes over he usually gets bitten. I would say keep her in an area where she sees you and have a bit of patience that should help. It works with the nieghbor. Be carefully though how you pick her up. I started letting her roam the bird tree and then get on my shoulder and now I have to retrain her to go to my finger as now she won't immediately get on my finger. She has to go to a certain spot on the tree and then get on my shoulder. According to my Vet the birds shouldn't be on the shoulders as it is a dominance thing. Good luck. You will get there. You have all summer to finger train her.

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by Laguna

According to my Vet the birds shouldn't be on the shoulders as it is a dominance thing. Good luck. You will get there. You have all summer to finger train her.

Is your vet at certified avian vet? Most recent research and avian specialists say that the concept of "dominance" is misapplied when talking about bird relationships. The reason you would want to avoid having a bird on your shoulder is that you can't observe their body language and you're more likely to get bitten in the face. A good enough reason to keep a bird of your shoulder, but from a "understanding your bird" perspective, completely different. My sun conure hangs out on my shoulder all the time, mainly because this gives him better access to preen my face for hours on end - we don't fight about who's dominant in our relationship (he's not a dog).

As for bonding - the more time you spend positively interacting with your bird, the more they'll become attached to you. Like others have said, spend time eating together, playing together, actively interacting in addition to just hanging out, and before you know it you'll wish he were just a little *less* attached to you.

[Medo Cekic]

Usually I keep my bird in my room. When I eat, she also eat. Although careful on what you show her to eat. Mine has this thing where she tries to grab the food that she knows I eat, mostly red stake

[Courtzrocks]

Yeah I don't buy into that dominance thing. Birds like to be high up because they are safer from preditors not a dominance thing...dogs are predators and parrots are prey so their behaviours don't mean the same thing.

[kellywess]

I turn on the music and we DANCE and get loud and silly "woo hoo"... this is usually also the same time I spray them down and everybody gets excited, takes a bath and when the music stops... so does the noise. Everybody quietly hangs out on play tops and preen. Then its naptime. This is a Saturday morning ritual.