Need to rehome Conure

[Rosiedoll]

I feel absolutely horrible even posting this. We adopted a conure 4 days ago and while I understand that there needs to be a period of adjustment, I really do not think this is going to work. I also feel like we were mislead by the prvious owner when it came to the "issues". I was told she prefers men, but I was not told that the bird will attempt to attack me every chance she gets through the cage. We went out and bought her a new cage last night and while attempting to transfer her from her old cage into the new one, she got ahold of my hand and bit me and then got a hold of my index finger and put a puncture wound through the bottom and one on the top. These were all issues that I could deal with... But the constant screaming is not.
My Husband and I have done a ton of research, both before we got her and over the past several days.. We have tried everything to stop the screaming and it appears (from what I've read) that she expects to be out of her cage, etc. I know the previous owner said that they let her out for the majority of the day. We would have no problem with this, exept for the fact that she bites everytime we are near the cage, so we can't even let her out...
We have tried everything to stop the screaming.. music, TV, moving her cage to where we are so that she can see us, putting a cover over it, giving her snacks, such as fresh fruit and dried fruit snacks, several new toys, in the hope that she would like one of them. It is not working..

We already love her, but just don't know what to do. I was 100% willing to deal with the biting and work on training. We were going to try an isolation period, as suggested and cleared out our spare bedroom for the huge cage we just bought her.

I was going to call the previous owner, but I don't think she cares. When we met her, I told her that she could e-mail me at any time for updates and she said, "No, that's ok.. you can e-mail me." And then as we were leaving, she said, "If it doesn't work out, call me.... But.. then I don't know what I'd do with her.." It was as if she said it just out of obligation.

I have never in my life rehomed an animal- NEVER. And I've had quite a few tough ones.. I really do feel horrible.. I just feel that she needs someone who has knowledge with these kind of bird behavior issues..

[kellywess]

Okay, let me see if I can help here. First of all coming from the birds point of view, everything that she new that was comfortabe to her is gone. Shes in a new home, in a new cage and there are two new people trying to get in her face. She is absolutely terrified. Do you have any toys or cage items from her old cage that you can put into the new one? Unless you have other birds, I would not put her in a bedroom away from the "family" and all that goes on in the house. Put her back out in the main room so she can see whats going on. Conures are very sociable and want to be a part of the "family/flock." This sounds like its going to take some time and some patience. If she screams to the point where you cant take it anymore, you may want to cover her cage... just as you should be covering it at night. Totally leave her alone aside from feeding her and telling her "Good Morning" and "Good Night." (Yes you basically have to show no interest in her.) It may take a couple of weeks. She has to get used to her new surroundings and relax a bit before you let her out of the cage. Once the screaming stops... start sitting next to her cage and softly talk to her or read her a book so she gets used to the sound of your voice. Dont give up on her, re-homing takes alot of time and patience. Your little bird is simply terrified right now and she needs to be left alone until she adjusts. How old is she? What type of conure is she? Good Luck... be patient. Let us know if you have any more questions. I understand what you are going through... I know its hard. Just remember "time" and "patience."

[AndreaSctlnd]

Hi. I am sorry to hear you are having so much trouble. When I brought home my sun conure, he was so LOUD! I really wondered what the heck I was thinking. The only thing that I had going for me was he was such a lover. But I understand where you are coming from with the noise.

I will tell you what I had to do about that...I felt bad about it, but I had to cover him. Some times it seemed he was covered more than he was open. When I would cover him, I would tell him quiet Sunny. When he would quiet down, then I would uncover him. If he started to scream even as I was uncovering him I would recover. It took me about a month to get him to understand that screaming only lead to solitude. He sure did not like that. You can do it. I know it seems like a lot but like Kelly said, it takes TIME and a lot of love.

[Valo's Moirana]

Originally Posted by kellywess

Okay, let me see if I can help here. First of all coming from the birds point of view, everything that she new that was comfortabe to her is gone. Shes in a new home, in a new cage and there are two new people trying to get in her face. She is absolutely terrified. Do you have any toys or cage items from her old cage that you can put into the new one? Unless you have other birds, I would not put her in a bedroom away from the "family" and all that goes on in the house. Put her back out in the main room so she can see whats going on. Conures are very sociable and want to be a part of the "family/flock." This sounds like its going to take some time and some patience. If she screams to the point where you cant take it anymore, you may want to cover her cage... just as you should be covering it at night. Totally leave her alone aside from feeding her and telling her "Good Morning" and "Good Night." (Yes you basically have to show no interest in her.) It may take a couple of weeks. She has to get used to her new surroundings and relax a bit before you let her out of the cage. Once the screaming stops... start sitting next to her cage and softly talk to her or read her a book so she gets used to the sound of your voice. Dont give up on her, re-homing takes alot of time and patience. Your little bird is simply terrified right now and she needs to be left alone until she adjusts. How old is she? What type of conure is she? Good Luck... be patient. Let us know if you have any more questions. I understand what you are going through... I know its hard. Just remember "time" and "patience."

i agree fullheartedly with the above.... 4 days is very little time, and things are totally new to her. adjustment will take a while, and though the screaming will not completely go away (all birds scream - you wouldn't wanna be at my house right now... it's a circus ATM) it'll calm down.

are her wings clipped? though i'm not a huge fan of clipping, it could be really helpful in your situation to reduce attacks and biting. also, it's a good thing to watch body language - it's pretty easy to tell in advance if you'll get bitten when picking her up if you pay attention

[Valo's Moirana]

Originally Posted by AndreaSctlnd

I will tell you what I had to do about that...I felt bad about it, but I had to cover him. Some times it seemed he was covered more than he was open. When I would cover him, I would tell him quiet Sunny. When he would quiet down, then I would uncover him. If he started to scream even as I was uncovering him I would recover. It took me about a month to get him to understand that screaming only lead to solitude. He sure did not like that. You can do it. I know it seems like a lot but like Kelly said, it takes TIME and a lot of love.

i like that idea.... not something you wanna do for long periods of time, but what's a month in a lifetime.... give that a try - might work for you too

[AndreaSctlnd]

Yeah, it seems sever but it did work wonders. He does NOT scream for long periods of time any more and I have had him for over a year now. I won't tell you he doesn't scream, but now it is just the three flock times. He calls for his flock in the morning, in the afternoon, and then around 7. OH and the phone...he sure doesn't like when I talk on the phone. He is like a small child, as soon as I am on the phone...squak, squak, squak...lol But the snuggles sure make up for it.

[catschair]

I agree; it will take her some time to settle down and feel comfortable. I go back to the childhood stories of giants picking up humans, who have no idea what is going on & how terrified they were, even though the giants were usually trying to be friends. I would give a well socialized bird at least a month to settle in, and it sounds like this darling has not had the love and nurturing that she deserves. Worst case, go to home depot and get yourselves some ear plugs for a couple of days (or wear an iPod), talk to her softly, play her music (have a glass of wine). I am betting that if you can get through the next few weeks, you are going to have a great companion. We are all cheering you on.

[my-africangrey-echo]

Yes give her a good 3-4 weeks to accept her new flock.

[ndeben]

I agree with the others, patience patience!! I love the Giant story, and its true! Please give this bird more time. Conures can be super pets, I started out with Muffin the nanday. This girl was a blast. Toys, shreadables, things like this to keep her/his mind busy. Where are you located? patience!!

[glenna]

hi i have a new rehomed sun. 6 years old charlie... he was bad the first two weeks. wouldnt play, screamed a lot and did not want we to come near. now at 2 months rehomed he is sitting quietly on my shoulder watching me type this. im drinking black tea and i cant keep him away from my cup.. he is loving but still wont allow me to touch him. these birds really take a lot of time getting used to a new home. i havent tryed changing his cage yet. probably wont for a year or so. please give it time. they really are great birds.