Conference 7.286::pet_birds

516.0. "ANOTHER CONURE QUESTION..." by USWAV7::PORAM () Wed Mar 13 1991 13:05

    Hi, I just recently became aware of this notesfile, and am happy to see
    that people are so helpful.  Please keep the suggestions coming for the
    "CONURE NEEDS A PAL" topic (#513)...maybe I'll get a lovebird AND an
    aquarium!.  Now to ask for more advice....
    
    When I first adopted Pedro (my Blue-crowned Conure's name) he was very
    gentle, i.e., would sit on my shoulder, eat from my hand, etc...  about
    three weeks after I got him, I took him to the Vet (a bird specialist)
    for a general checkup (I was unsure of Pedro's history).  He was
    perfectly healthy, but here's the problem:  The Vet told me to bring 
    Pedro to him in his cage...when the Vet needed to examine him, he had
    to grab Pedro inside the cage (Pedro was not happy about this) to get
    him out.  Ever since (about 10 months now) Pedro tries to bite me if I
    put my hand near his cage.  Additionally, he won't climb on my shoulder
    anymore, but he doesn't seem afraid of me (still runs to the side of
    the cage that I'm near).  If he is not on the cage (he occasionally
    flies around) he can be approached and petted, and will willingly climb
    onto my arm.  It seems as though he definitely feels that his territory
    (cage) has been invaded.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I have
    plenty of patience and will try anything to get him back to his less
    aggressive ways.  I have thought that possibly a new cage (different
    style) might help (he might relate his current cage to a bad
    experience?).  
    
    Thanks in advance for your advice!
    
    Peter