Problem bird

[sailorkelly]

We recently had a Peach Fronted left for us to watch and now I think it might be are bird. I am not sure of the sex but I call it a her. When she wants to she will go onto my finger. At other times when she is on my shoulder or on her cage she will not go up and just bites and bites. I am not sure how much training she has had. I have read the sites that say to give treats when they go up, she doesn't care about treats though. I am not sure how to train her. We have tried the the chop stick training but she is scared of them. I have been thinking of getting her wings clipped because she will fly an land on my head or shoulder then when I try to get her on my finger she will just fly back to her cage. It seems like it is her way or no way. Does anyone have any ideas to help me. We have been wanting to get a white bellied caique but i am not sure if I want to bring a baby in to learn her bad habits. I am not sure if I would be able to have them in the same cage either?

[sailorkelly]

I also forgot to add that she will not let you touch any part of her body. She makes the same noise if you touch her body or legs with hand, arm or head. Even if you don't mean to touch her. I would love to have her be a cuddle buddy. I want her to like us an want attention. She is learning to talk pretty well though.

[jenniferag]

It seems she is still hand shy... I wouldn't try getting her to step onto anythin yet... I would sit by her cage and talk to her... try some sunflower or safflower seeds (you can get both at safeway) and try giving one to her... if she won't take it fromy ou just keep talking to her and eventually she'll come around.

Getting the wings clipped would be a good idea during training if you ask me, although others will say differently...

also try millet as a treat, I don't know a bird that has refused that before.

I would work on getting her more comfortable with your hands... if she steps up give her lots of treats and praise.

also, if you don't know her well I wouldn't let her on your shoulder... birds can get territorial up high so shoulder might be a no no for a while until she does it without biting

[sailorkelly]

she does really well sometimes with stepping up. it is just when she doesn't want to get up or move from what she is doing. she loves all those treats but if i hand it to her she will drop it. I would not let her on my shoulder but she flies and will land on my head or shoulder then she will either fly away or bite me when I want her off.

[chapala]

Looks like she needs a wing clip then since you don't seem to have any control about the biting and landing on your shoulder. That may help you start with the basics again, slowly. You might read through the training forum and get some very good hints about excellent training books and dvds, as well as information.

[sailorkelly]

I think you are right. The guy who owned the bird is still talking his girlfriend into letting me keep her. She is stationed in Hawaii and wont be able to take care of the bird for the next 3 years. Plus they are just dating so you never know if they will stay together. I am a housewife with alot of time to dedicate to her and she acts nicer to me than other people so I think it would work in the long run

[sailorkelly]

She has been very good today. She stood on the shower door while I took a shower and she stayed on the towel rack while I blow dried my hair. I was really surprised she didn't get scared on the blow dryer. She likes sitting on my laptop while I am on the internet. I have to keep giving her things to chew on or play with so she doesn't try to kill the laptop. lol

[jenniferag]

aw, that's good that she's doing better!

[birdlover912]

Most peach fronted conures are "hands-off" birds. My peachie, Orrin, doesn't like to be touched, cuddled, or "man-handled" as I call it, in any way (he will accept touch if he really wants to though). This is just how they are...your peachie will probably never be as cuddle as a cockatoo or sun conure...they are different birds.

[sailorkelly]

That is good to know. I was wondering if it was just a trust thing or maybe she is just being moody.