Hand Shy Conure?

[BirdBrain'd]

When I looked at Rafael in the store, they told me he was head shy... having horses this made sense to me lol The guy stuck his hand in and he steps up easily, but doesn't like to be touched. I wonder now if what they meant was that he was hand shy? He doesn't want you to touch him anywhere tho he's great about stepping up and climbing (fluttering) to your shoulder. I know he's still new and will need time to settle in but is there anything I can do with patience to get him over being hand (head?) shy and more cuddly? He seems to want interaction with people and loves attention... he's pretty friendly already even being new in the house and he's not too loud, no worse than my IRN anyway who loves to be cuddled and loved on. Will it just take time to get him over this? Should I push the issue or just keep asking nicely and hope he comes around?

[gbird]

Hi & welcome!

How old is your Sun? I have a Sun, 8 months old, and he lets me touch him anywhere. But then I worked for Petco, and we got him in when he was around 2 months old, and we hand fed him, and I spoiled him rotten even before I brought him home.

I'm not an expert, but I'd say it may take time, and just be patient. Whats his background? Did he come from another family, or a breeder?

I do know they love head scratches and beak rubs.....I would keep trying to touch him gently, and give him time to trust you. Don't push it though. I think little by little he will let you touch him more & more. He'll start to realize that you aren't going to hurt him, and that it feels good to be scratched and cuddled.

I'm sure more people here are going to be able to help you more, but I thought I'd give it a try.

Good luck with your baby.

[BirdBrain'd]

He came from an individual who sold him thru the pet store where I got him. I was told he is 2 years old.. and a friend who used to raise them said that sounded right for his size and beak size (?) Beyond that I don't know his history.. they didn't even know his name :(

He steps up easily or begs to be held, but just doesn't want me to touch him and won't take any treats from my hand. I just wondered if there was hope of curing this with him and some ideas for ways to help him trust me. With Shelby she was standoffish for about 6 months and would BITE ... like HARD... then one day decided she couldn't live without me and now I can't get rid of her LOL So maybe there's hope?

[gbird]

Makes me wonder if he was mistreated by his former owners. They may have hit at him if he screamed that Conure scream. Poor baby. I have heard people on here talk about toweling thier birds, and when they struggle to get away, you let them loose....they will eventually realize you aren't going to hurt them.

Lets see what others say, but I think with time & patience, and a bit of work, he'll come around. The fact that he steps up, and sits on your shoulder is a good sign. Sounds like he wants the attention, but is leary of your intentions.

[BirdBrain'd]

I'll just be really patient like I was with Shelby.. talked to her lots, gave her treats but on her terms.. not from the hand but into her dish. One day she decided I was ok and flew to my shoulder and now her favorite place to snuggle in the morning is under my robe for half hour or so while I putter around the kitchen and make the coffee lol I'm hoping she and Raf will get to be buds and I won't have to worry about them fighting.. but that remains to be seen I suppose :)

[Cindy215]

Yes there's hope. Do just like Shelby. Plenty are just not wanting that touching and I believe should be let to decide on their own. Especially if clipped and cant escape. Nothing wrong with offering food from your hand occasionally especially, say , millet that is a treat.

It could be handfeeding quickly not really teaching about hands or just the individual. Handfeeding can be done with out even touching so that doesnt mean much except imprinting. Which is even more confusing for them.

Just make it that all good things come from her effort like never a negative.I have a parrotlet hen who will recall to me 100% with a small perch but not so much like 85% with hands and doesnt like hand affection much. She's 10 mos old so I'm working on that but expect it could take a year or more. That's how this particular individual came to me initially.

[BirdBrain'd]

Well an update... last night he took a peanut from my hand and ate it and let me rub the top of his head and back. He likes fingers down in the feathers and all his feathers stand out on end when I do this lol Still not wanting me to touch the chest or belly but when he's on my shoulder he's taken to rubbing his head gently on my cheek and chuckling these little what sounded like duck noises ... at least no more biting holes in my shirt like the first night

Last night I was sitting on the couch with him on my shoulder working on my laptop and he walked round to the front of my shirt and POPPED his head right in front of my face like Hello!! I'd move to look around him and he'd be right back in front of me lol

[Monica]

LOL!!! He sounds like he's coming around on his terms!!! And starten to sound a little like my Charlie! Charlie can't STAND being away from me, loves being touched all over, just as long as it's a good preening time, and when I'm doing something with my hands or picking something up, he always likes to lean down and check things out!

[BirdBrain'd]

He's doing really good and surprising since he's only been "home" since Wednesday night. Now, is there any way to get him introduced to the rest of the family so he behaves himself? He offers to bite my husband and even the kids who he was ok with initially... now he's kind of snarky about lol

[Monica]

Everyone will probably have to get bit, and take the bite, without reacting, before Rafael learns that biting is doing nothing...