Newbie conure question....

[B&C]

Daughter and I were looking at getting a Sun Conure. Local pet shop has a 4 yr old male. Woman that runs the aviary part of the shop wasn't very reliable with the story behind the bird, nor was she with the Tiel we bought there even though the Tiel was a great success.

First story was he was supposedly part of 2 breeding pairs that was bought from another breeder who was getting out of the business. His mate was too aggressive with him so she split them up for sale. I looked at/handled him and he seemed to be very social. Woman whistled at him to get his attention opened the door and he stepped right on her hand. She took him out and held him for a minute while we talked and offered him to me. He hopped off her hand and right onto mine quickly and seemed pleasantly curious when I brought him nose to nose with me. Like I said he seemed social enough.

Reported back to the kiddo and she wanted to look at and spend some time with the bird. Called back to make an appointment and I asked a few other questions and got a different story about the birds history. The part about being half of a failed breeding pair was the only thing that coincided with the first story.

That being said, I guess what I am asking is do you guys think it would be worth the time and money buying this bird and finishing the socialization needed to make it a part of the family or would it make much more sense to just get a hand reared little one?

I wish we'd get another decent pet shop or two in the area. I hate like heck to deal with this lady due to her storytelling but there aren't any stores that deal with birds within like a 2 hr drive.

Anyways, thanks for looking!!

B&C

[DarwinTheSun]

Well, if you guys clicked with the bird and can put aside the storytelling, then I say go for it! It is possible that he wasn't doing well in a breeding program because he had been "humanized" before that. Maybe he will be very social at your house too. If he did ok in the store with you guys (and that is his territory right now, then bet he would do fine at your house too. How did the bird do with your kid? Did they click?

Also, if you get this bird from this crazy woman, you can make a point of not getting any supplies from her if that would make you feel better about not supporting the storytelling.

[AFWami89]

Is you pet store called Mel's Exotic Birds? If not, they might have sun's! Not that I live in PA, I just look up bird store in PA and I noticed that you lived in Johnstown and that store in Johnstown.

[ROYJOY]

he sounds really tame, and will make a good pet. just remember the sun conure has a LOUD scream. its there call, and you will hear it for 30+ posible years. its so sad that so many suns are rehomed time after time because they are too loud. my sun is a rehome because the lady's family got tired of the noise. tiki only screams a couple times a day, and i personaly dont think its that loud, as i also have a green winged macaw. some folks think "well i can teach him not to scream. this is a misconception. its comunication. it would be like teaching your children not to talk.

[rockybird]

I agree. It sounds like he would make a great pet. If he is coming to strangers, that is spectacular!

[DarwinTheSun]

Originally Posted by ROYJOY

some folks think "well i can teach him not to scream. this is a misconception. its comunication. it would be like teaching your children not to talk.

This is true, but you can still teach them appropriate screaming vs. screaming their heads off all day long. Even with training, anything that causes excitement, frustration, anything outside, leaving the room, getting up from the couch, etc. are all great causes to scream!

[B&C]

Thanks for all the great advice and supportive comments!

We have an appointment tomorrow 3-5-08 to sit with and handle the bird. Hopefully all goes well, the kiddo is kinda excited. I may try to snap a pic or two.

The owner/birdlady is asking $400 for just the bird. He seems to be very healthy and colorful is an understatement. The daughter is using her money she saved from work to buy it so I want to make sure she doesn't have a bad experience here. I am going to foot the bill for the new cage and accessories if this goes through.

Mel's Exotic Birds in Johnstown is very close to this pet store but unfortunately they went out of business some time ago and got rid of all their birds. I also searched the web and tried to contact them.

I know the story doesn't matter in the end but I like to think people would/should be honest with any peculiarities/problems in his personality. A habitual screamer and or biter wouldn't be a good first conure for us....hehe.

Once again thanks for the great advice!!

Brian and Caitie

[AndreaSctlnd]

Welcome to BB...I have a sun conure and he was a rehome. I got him from a really scary place in Erie. He was in a disgusting cage and I don't think it had been cleaned in MONTHS...well any who, I think that if the bird is that friendly he will make a great pet. Mine was and still IS really friendly. He will go to just about ANYONE! He does not bite and loves to be snuggled under covers with me. They are wonderful little guys. I hope that all goes well with this for you. Sounds like he would have a wonderful forever home with you.

BTW, I live in PA as well.

[Markus]

Haha, funny story... My first sun conure was a "previously loved" bird from Erie, too!

And yes, he was really loved. But they had 3 kids, bunch of breeding teils, an african grey, and getting a b&g macaw. 4 yr old, closed banned, $300 w/ cage.

As for the 2nd sun conure... I think the thread is on here called "how long does it take to clean a cage?" Ended up in a 14 hour drive across PA. I live near Bradford and made the trip to Philly.

The next morning I wake up to my 5 year old daughter saying "Daddy, the birds are fighting!!"
"Impossible!" was my first thought. So I roll out of bed after getting home at 4am, and go downstairs. They were in separate cages when I went to sleep, but she let them out when she woke up.

Sure enough... Scotty is splashing in his water bowl and doing the male bird strutt up and down the side of the cage. JC is sittin pretty like the little lady she is.. and a couple days later they moved in together!!

Anyways, I think it sounds like a great first conure oppertunity. I've had a cockatoo and a pionus in the past. Suns are great little birds packed with personality. As for being loud.. Nandays have them beat (I had a pair of them, too). Suns are a cute sort of loud. It only hurts your ears if they're on your shoulder.

I wouldn't be too worried about the stories not matching. I think a lot of store owners just get confused after years of bird stories. There is a local pet shop here that I always buy food at. I like to help them stay in business.. and my kids love playing with all their pets. Sure, it's cheaper at PetsMart, but I'd rather keep my bird-related dollars spent at places I respect.

[Icednova625]

This makes me laugh a little, small world eh. I know the exact bird your talking about at gittlers. I live about 30 minutes away from there.

I went through the same routine that you did...The funniest part of that whole deal is she had that bird and the mate together for less than what she's trying to sell that one for. I guess she didn't know it was nice at first probably.
I personally didn't/wouldn't buy it for a few reasons.