Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, i have a sun conure she is about 3 months old and i have teached her step up but i want to make her obedient and make her let me touch her without her bitting me( the breeder didnt teach her socialization on letting people touch her) she is very sweet she preens me and always screeches when i come home she is the best. please help me if you can thank you.

The main thing is patience. Some birds take longer to tolerate touching and rubbing. Start small. Work on touching one spot and reward her/him with praise and/or treats when she tolerates this. Maybe start with one wing or the neck etc. You will have to watch the birds signals. If she/he starts dilating its eyes or showing excitement then you need to take it slower. You can try distraction if all else fails. Find a toy or treat that your bird likes. Hold the treat in one hand while the bird is perched on that same hand/arm or a perch and when the bird goes for the treat use the other hand to rub/pet. Your bird may not accept any scratches or petting until it sees you as a flock mate. After it has fully accepted you then it should allow you to start "preening" it just as it would a flockmate in the wild.

thanks for the responce, well she does let me open her wing and touch the inside of the wing but before she would get nervous, but the thing is most of the time she lets me touch her, and and kiss her, etc. but then some time when i try to get her she moves one way to the other like she' having a sezure, but then i pet her and she lets me grab her, what is that and why does she do it. and how can i make my parrot more tame. thank you soo much for your help.

She is still very young and it will get better with time. Be sure you don't startle her. Jr. will nip even at 5 years old it he doesn't see the hand coming. A behaviorist told me that if you are a bird owner you will occasionally be bitten. It doesn't mean that they don't love you it just happens so don't be surprised if a year from now when this problem has completely disappeard it happens. I have been bitten when Jr. thinks I am in danger and he is trying to make me move away from whatever it is he doesn't like (usually another person) It has only happened a couple of times and it scared the heck out of me but I understand the intent and love him anyway. Good luck.