Blue Crowned Conure Bites

[tonyawalker]

I just got this Blue Crowned Conure from a lady she sold him because he bit her. He is only 1 1/2 year old. I have only had him for about a week and he is very talkative and while he's in his cage, if I move to one side, he follows me to which ever side I go. I am scared to take him out of his cage for the fact that, every time we try to pet him, he bites the cage. He is a very smart baby and we love him. I let everyone in the house talk to him so he'll get to know them and everyone gives him treats. How can I tame him so we can let him out of his cage? His wings are not clipped and I don't want to let him out because I don't think he'll let me put him back in. HELP PLEASE.

[DarwinTheSun]

Why did you take on a biting bird when you are scared to be bit?

You can read to him and give him treats through the bars, this should get him used to you. But eventually, you will be bit! And you can not react to this or he will continue to do it.

[4HAND]

While I don't know your bird,I can tell you my blue crown Pollo did lunge at me at first....It was all bluff! He doesn't bite down.You should offer the treats as Darwin sugested.Something special he only gets from your hand.If he goes to bite,say no bite [or something similar] and withdraw your treat.It's really important not to show fear or anger.If he gets a reaction from you[like you pull away] it reinforces the biting.Also,read up on body language and learn to anticipate when a bite is iminent.Most of the time we get bit because the bird is either afraid or we have failed to respect his needs and desires.He should come out of the cage soon.It's important for his well being.Will he step on a perch for you?When Pollo first came home this was the only way I could pick him up.I'm going on 6 months with Pollo,It takes time.I will be happy to help with any specific questions you have.One final note on petting your bird,it is an honor that your bird asks to be petted[head down,neck feathers slightly ruffled]If he is allowing this,you are way ahead of the game!
Tena

[tonyawalker]

I'm not scared of him, but I have an 11 year old child and a 3 year old child in the house that like to play with him and I don't want him to bite them. I have been bitten several times by him and my Ring Neck, I know how it feels and so does my son, but Skreeches beak is much more sharp than Buz Birds beak. He is my bird, meaning, he doesn't talk for anyone in the house but me and when we wake up in the morning, I am the first person he will see and he starts to talk as soon as he puts his eyes on me. I was just wondering, should I get gloves to hold him until he's completley used to everyone in the house, or should we just try to hold him bare handed and let him get used to us this way and risc getting bit? I know he can be tame, he already is somewhat.

[tonyawalker]

yes, he does allow me to pet him, when he wants me to, and he will "step up". He is a loving bird, but also very stubborn. lol But we all love him.

[4HAND]

Hi again.My son is 10 and understands how hard a bird can bite.He is allowed to handle both our conures and does well with them.I would never have allowed him to do this at three though.Gloves are something I would only consider in an emergency or medical situation.They give us this false sense of security.We are more inclined to push a bird beyond what he is comfortable with.In the long run I think they will hinder your conures training.He will figure out that you don't trust him.You also mentioned the sharpness of your conures beak.You may find it helpful to offer a Sandy Perch. Pollo's beak was a spear when I brought him home and he honed it down nicely in a few weeks.
Tena