Hello! I'm new, thinking of a Conure :)

[kim921]

Hi all! My name is Kim and I'm 19 years old. Right now I am in school but am interested in the near-ish future in getting a Sun Conure. I've read up on them and they really sound like the bird for me!

I had a Cockatiel named Spanky, after the girl in Arthur's birdie, but she died suddenly one day Not sure what happened there. And for the past 16 years we have had a Panama yellow-fronted Amazon named Albert. He's quite a talker.

But I'd really love to get a bird of my own that is very affectionate and loving, a good companion! I love the color and personality of a Sun and really think I would find a good friend in him/her! Having him/her in school would be fun because I am in my room alot and could easily have him/her out while doing homework, watching tv, eating, etc. I don't believe the noise would be too much of a problem so long as my RA was aware.

My only hangup is that I am studying abroad in the Fall of '09, in Spain. I would absolutely love to take him/her with me but I'm unsure if that is possible. I could always check with the program director but I don't know how my future Sun would do with traveling like that or living in a new home. What do you guys think?

Thanks. I think I will really like this board. I've always loved birds but have never had the initiative to find any message boards about them!
-Kim

edit: Adding a picture of my amazon :) His beak is a bit long but we're trying to control his diet. He got a little fat which made his beak grow! :P

[birdlover912]

Welcome to the bird board! Your family has a lovely amazon!

Sun conures are very sweet, cuddly and loud, but since you have an amazon, that shouldn't be a problem for you!

I don't know much about traveling with your bird, but I do know a bit about shipping. My Ori was shipped to me from his breeder in Georgia on a plane in the climate controled cargo hold. He was a bit shaken when he came out and had a bit of gram negative bacteria in his system, but otherwise he was fine. I'm sure a pet bird would fair better if they could travel with you as a carry on, but I'm not sure if that is possible.

I've heard that some courntries have health constrictions and quarentine periods for any animals that enters the country. This may only apple to cats and dogs though. You would for sure have to bring current health records from the vet and maybe even have some special tests run.

[kim921]

Your birds are so cute :) Thank you about my bird!

Thanks for your input. Someone suggested to me of letting someone care for him while I am away, but I worry he will forget about me or have a harder time bonding again when I return! It would probably be best if he wasn't with me for my study abroad, because I will not know the conditions of my house/where I'm staying, the nearest pet store, etc. I could probably get my parents to watch him while I am away. Like you said there are restrictions and I doubt that the study abroad program would even allow pets. It doesn't seem like it would be feasible unless I lived in my own apartment. But I will be living with another family! So it will be tough to have a Sun there! :P

[Monica]

Birds don't forget, but they can hold grudges!!! And they can decide to move on, too! I've had Noel since I was 13 (no clue on her age) and Charlie is 14, and I've had him for a couple of years! Both are second hand+ birds. Noel's not really bonded to humans, but Charlie is! They are, literally, complete opposites!

Can't help ya out with studying abroad other than perhaps waiting until your life isn't so busy???

What is your zon's diet? Or rather, what foods does he get every day?

[micki]

hi Kim and welcome to the forum.

[kim921]

Thanks! I think I will do just that...wait until I don't have so much going on! :) Although the wait will be grueling, I can handle it. Haha.

Thanks micki :)

About Albert, he absolutely loves seed, so in addition to veggies and fruit, he ate mostly seed. So we took him to the vet for a checkup/nailclip and he said that he is overweight. Big surprise? Haha. So we switched to a bowl of seed twice a week or so and the rest is a good parrot blend, I can't remember the name. He still gets veggies like brocolli, carrots, etc. and apples and oranges. Peanuts are his favorite, though! :)

[Addicted to Tequila]

Problem is... that beak may signify fatty liver disease. If so... he needs a more specialized diet to keep it from progressing.

[kim921]

I think the main problem was his diet, because since we've altered it, his beak has slowed greatly from growing. The avian vet said that he has too much fat in his blood (from the blood tests), so we give him less seed and that has definitely seemed to help. He seems to be functioning well and acting normal otherwise, but I will keep an eye on his beak. Thanks!!

[Eliza]

Originally Posted by kim921

I don't believe the noise would be too much of a problem so long as my RA was aware.

My only hangup is that I am studying abroad in the Fall of '09, in Spain. I would absolutely love to take him/her with me but I'm unsure if that is possible. I could always check with the program director but I don't know how my future Sun would do with traveling like that or living in a new home. What do you guys think?

Can you indeed have parrots at your campus? Colleges that allow pets in on-campus housing are few and far between now. Those that do allow pets often impose restrictions. Suns can be TREMENDOUSLY noisy and in a dorm, there are lots of noises at all hours that may set a sun off at inappropriate times.

As far as traveling abroad with a parrot? I'm not saying that it cannot be done but it is a time consuming process and will most likely require quarantine at a government facility at one or both ends of the journey. I can't imagine that any semester abroad programs allow the students to have pets on campus.

Honestly? I'd wait until you are either out of college or at the very, least until AFTER your semester in Spain. That way you'll have time to get used to the college lifestyle and figure out if you have time for a parrot, too.

Best wishes,

-e-

[Monica]

I would suggest reading this thread....
Bird Safe Fresh Foods & Toxic Food Lists + Sprouts

I would not recommend feeding peanuts at all, but do feed a variety of foods... instead of feeding dry seeds, try feeding sprouted seeds! Keep the protein low in the diet, but be sure to feed foods high in vitamin A!!! You could supplement the diet with red palm oil. You may also want to add Essential Fatty Acids to the diet in small portions.

Some good foods in particular to feed include the following...
Cherries or Black Cherry Juice
Milk Thistle (extract or?)
Flax (freshly ground or oil)
Dandelion Roots/Leaves (fresh, no pesticides/chemical fertilizers)
Aloe (juice or fresh from the plant)

Might want to look into probiotics, full spectrum lighting, and possibly a vitamin supplement.

What tests did the vet do? Did they recommend any particular diet? Can you find out what the 'parrot blend' you are now feeding?


Ideally, you want to be feeding a variety of fresh foods daily... such as mixing cooked grains, cooked legumes, fresh/frozen veggies, and some fresh/frozen fruits together.