I will soon be owned by two conures- looking for any advice for homecoming

**Raccoonlassie** · 12-31-2011, 02:28 PM

I just found this forum and have been reading through all the posts. There is so much good info and lots of cute pictures!
I am adopting two blue headed/crowned conures

that came from a bad hoarding situation in Ohio. They lived in a small cage with a foot of feces in the bottom of the cage. When they came into rescue they didn't even know how to use perches, they just hung on the side of the cage. They are bonded with each other.I do not know how old they are except they are adults. I was told they are believed to be boys. One of them had a lump removed from his breast about 2.5 months ago. Both are healthy now and on zupreem fruity pellets. Their wings were clipped, mostly to keep the one who had surgery from injuring himself.
I wondered if anyone on here had experience with rescue birds like this. I would love any tips on how to help them bond with me and feel comfortable in their new home. I don't want to make any crazy mistakes that might damage the fragile relationship as we begin.
I am hoping to bring the boys home next week and am super excited.

**mster70** · 01-01-2012, 05:58 PM

Wow, what a horrible situation they went through, and how awesome that you're giving them a good home.
My advice would be to take it very very slow. I guess I don't have much experience with rescue birds, but chances are these guys aren't used to contact with humans, so a good start would be to just sit by their cage, talk to them, ect.. It'll probably take awhile for them to warm up to you, but when they do it will be worth it!
Good luck

**Marrie** · 01-03-2012, 10:55 AM

Oh my, the poor babies.

Since they had such a rough start take it VERY SLOWLY with them - act as if they are wild animals you are trying to earn the trust of. The rescue should be able to help you out a bit but best is to just go at their pace and start out just talking to them, then move to seeing if they'll take a treat (long treat stick) from your hand after they are comfortable. Usually it is easiest to tame bonded pairs if you take them one-on-one, but I would give it a bit before trying that given their background, they will need each other for comfort as they adjust to the new area.

**boomer girl** · 01-03-2012, 12:16 PM

I am happy someone went in and saved all the birds from this bird hoarder, no bird deserves to live in such a horrible situation. I have to agree with the others above and say it will take lots of time to get these two to trust you but I think once they know they are safe in a much better home they will respond to you. Conures seem like such sweet loving birds so hopefully they will become your friend one day. I think its great that your are taking these two conures in and giving them a loving home and I hope in time they accept you and make you part of there flock.

**Raccoonlassie** · 01-04-2012, 06:33 AM

I am going to pick the boys up this afternoon. I am so happy they are finally getting to come home. I spoke with the foster "mom" yesterday and she said that she has been holding a sprig of spray millet in her hand and they have been coming down to get it from her and then they move away again. She said they didn't really like her cleaning the cage yet though. They like it when she is in the room and when she leaves they start to yell at her

. This I understand is a very common conure behavior.
I will take it slow with them and give them lots of time to adjust to their new home. I had thought that probably somewhere down the road I would do some "training" with them seperatly but totally understand they need each other for comfort right now.
I have worked with some very, very shy dogs that have needed lots of patience and time to trust people so I am assuming that some of the same things will help with these birdies.
Thanks so much for the advice from everybody. I have never had birds that have come from a situation like this and so am open to any advice I can get.

**boomer girl** · 01-04-2012, 10:32 AM

Dogs are somewhat like birds and if you worked with dogs that needed some extra love and time I think you will do wonders with these two conures.

**Marrie** · 01-04-2012, 11:02 AM

Dogs are a bit like birds in how to earn their trust, but remember a dog is a predator so has a little more confidence than a prey species naturally, birds will probably take a bit more patience.

**Raccoonlassie** · 01-07-2012, 06:29 AM

I also work with bunnies both wild and domestic so the world of prey animals is something I am familiar with. So I hope that I can do justice to these babies.
I brought the boys, Chito and Sasparilla ( my family is a big fan of old western movies) home Wednesday afternoon. They are both doing very well and are really very sweet. They will both take food from my hand through the cage bars. I have also had success if I reach into their cage and hold some food in my hand and after a bit Chito will come take some. Both will take bites from a millet spray from my hand in the cage. They love attention and in the evening always start clowning around and want me to talk to them and give them treats. They don't want to be touched but they make it very evident they want attention.
Neither of them likes any veggies but have both tasted them when offered, just don't really eat them

I saw Chito playing with a toy yesterday which is the first time that anyone knows that they have actaully played with a toy. They have begun to shred the bark off one of their natural perches too.
I am very happy with them and can't wait to see more of their personalities as we develop a bond over the next few months.