Hi, New Sun Conure Owner

[gbird]

I work at Petco, and we've had Baby since he was a baby. He had been hand fed, and is about 7 months old now. We've bonded completely. I finally broke down and bought him yesterday. He's such a clown. I have a few questions, if thats OK:

1) he's very clingy. Is this normal when they first come to a new place? All last night he laid on his back on my chest until he fell asleep. I put him in his cage, covered him up, and went to bed fighting the urge to peak in on him every few seconds...lol. He was very quite all night until I woke up. He hasn't screamed once.

2) He has quite a nice cage, big. Should I just leave him in his cage? Right now he's at his cage. I've left the door open and it looks like either he's trying to get to me, or exploring his new home.

I guess basically what I need to know is what is normal for anew bird in a new home, and what isn't. Should I keep him with me all the time? Or leave him for a bit, then go back.

ANy advice on anything would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx

[jamieo]

It sounds like he is very attached to you. he's clingy because he already knows you and likes you :) . Many birds go to new homes and are very timid and frightened because they have to get used to the new place as well as the new people.

Try to spend a reasonable amount of time with him every day, but remember that the more time you do spend with him- the more he is going to expect. If you spend 10 hours a day with him for several months and something changes and you can only spend 1 hour a day with him, it is possible that he will have some problems.

He needs to learn to entertain himself when you are not around to play with him. Make sure he has a lot of toys and things in his cage to keep him busy.

I have all of my birds in my living room where I spend a lot of time when I am at home. Even though I do not give them all several hours of one on one time, I am there with them in the room and they can see & hear me. I play with them individually and give them each some special attention but I allow them to entertain themselves as much as possible. They each have their own way of letting me know when it's time to give them some one on one time. So far none of my birds have had any problems & I hope it continues that way :D

[gbird]

Thanx Jamieo.....I think I need to give him more toys or re-arrange his cage so it's easier for him to get to them. It's a big cage for such a little guy. He has a swing with a rope, a rope with wood bits, another hangy toy, a puffy birdy huta stuffed animal...loloh, and me, I am his jungle gym.

I happen to be off work today & tomorrow. When I go to work I will leave the radio, or TV on.

He hasn't really eaten, will he when he gets hungry?

I just want him to be happy, thanx again

[jamieo]

You're welcome :D
Yes, he will eat when he's hungry, just make sure he's got food available all the time. My birds all eat differently and at different times of the day. My conure nibbles throughout the day as does my lory. My cockatiels and budgies seem to eat a lot a couple of times a day and spend the rest of the time investigating their cages or wherever else they might be.

[Tiki]

Welcome to Birdboard! Yes, its normal for a new bird to not eat the first day. Just keep some of the same stuff the pet store was feeding him on hand, he'll eat when he is hungry. Them start introducing more healthy foods like veggies and fruits.

[Irish]

Welcome, gbird :-). When I brought Arthur home, he was very clingy, and off his food for a few days. He finally ate when he felt comfortable. He's still very clingy, though! Nice to be loved, but he sure does a lot of flying at and grabbing me with that big ol' beak....

[gbird]

Thanx everybody for your advice and knowledge. Right now he's sitting here on my desk eating one of those little Papaya jellied treats. I also have a bowl of his food, and some water on my desk......probably not a good idea, but I want him to eat....lol His cage is a paradise. Is there such a thing as to many toys...lol

He looks like he needs a birdy makeover. He's loosing his baby feathers and the yellow ones are coming in. I don't know why I'm so nervous about him here. I was fine with him at work ( I work at Petco, were I got him) I just want him to be happy & healthy.

So it's normal for him to just want to be on me? He's great with me. He lets me pull his wings, not in a cruel way...lol...just spread them out, flip him on his back. I think I've gotten passed the bonding period.

I'm sorry for asking so many questions, I must sound like an idiot, but owning a bird is new to me, but I couldn't imagine my life without him.

I'm really glad I have found this forum....I hope you guys don't get sick of me....lol

Here are a few words from Baby.....gkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkk....LOL...he got stuck on the k