upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I am curious to know what Beatrice's cere color is and how old she is.

Lesse, when I purchased her she was about seven months and I've had her...I believe five months some time this month. So she's at least a year old. Her cere is actually kind of hard to determine since I swear it seems different with the lighting. But it's like white or a tannish color, not blue or purple. But she is an albino so that may not mean anything.

The both of you I want to extend my thanks to for all the great info. I intend to take all of it to heart and really consider it. I will not lie, however, being told everything has not deterred me from wanting to adopt a conure. It has, however, gone great lengths to helping me better prepare as safe an environment as possible for when I do bring the little thing home. So, thank you.

I'm going to do some more research, think further on what you told me and if I have any other comments or questions I'll post again. Thanks!

EDIT:

Your situation doesn't necessarily sound ideal, but you sound willing enough to learn and take criticism when given.

Of course. How else am I going to learn? I love birds and want to be a good keeper of the ones I choose to adopt. They're my responsibility, so I have to do my best to educate myself which you have helped with a lot. It helps that all the criticism I've gotten has all been constructive and very politely worded.

Kristopher wrote:The both of you I want to extend my thanks to for all the great info. I intend to take all of it to heart and really consider it. I will not lie, however, being told everything has not deterred me from wanting to adopt a conure. It has, however, gone great lengths to helping me better prepare as safe an environment as possible for when I do bring the little thing home. So, thank you.

I'm going to do some more research, think further on what you told me and if I have any other comments or questions I'll post again. Thanks!

If there is one thing I've learned, if a person really wants a bird, they will do all they can to make it happen. You have a job, and you are willing to learn what you need to do to take care of another bird. These are important things in my book!! My situation has rarely been ideal too.

I got my first bird at 11, did not have access to a vet that would care for him, and had very little information available to learn. I then went to college, worked 15-30 hours a week and went to school full time. This is when I got my second bird. When there was an emergency, I would go to the vet, pay with a credit card, and then pay it off as time went by.

Now we live in an age where information, both good and bad, is readily available. I encourage everyone to learn all they can before they find their new pet. If in the learning, they decide that they can't have one at the time, that is fine. The only people I will actively discourage getting a bird are teenage kids that will be going off to college, unless it is a family pet and the parents don't mind taking care of it while junior is in the dorms.

I look forward to you asking more questions, and helping out where I can. I would look for a breeder instead of going to a pet store, and make sure that no matter where you get the bird, that you go for a well bird check on your way home. I've seen a lot of birds come home sick on these forums.

Also, I would research different kinds of conures. I know you like the sound of a green cheek, but I know that pineapple conures are pretty neat as well. Then talk to breeders and see if you can come and see their birds. This way you can decide where to get your bird, and make sure that the breeder is someone you would want to work with.

christie wrote: ... Then talk to breeders and see if you can come and see their birds. This way you can decide where to get your bird, and make sure that the breeder is someone you would want to work with.

Be aware tho that good and bad breeders might not allow you into their aviaries, for quite different reasons.

Here's one that I've found varying opinions on. Some articles suggest buying a blanket or a little tent to put inside and/or on the bottom of the cage that the bird can sleep on/in. This confuses me because I always thought a bird sleeping on the floor of its cage was a bad thing.

Your thoughts?

Most tents hang in the cage. I've seen dozens of reports of loose threads on these injuring or killing birds. There are options though since conures do like to sleep in things, I can't find the exact name at the moment but there are cardboard tubes that are covered that many people use for their birds. Maybe Monica(mfids) can help me out on what they are called.

I wouldn't use a blanket though. They get dirty too easy and like you said, would be on the bottom of the cage.

ETA:

They are called chubes. Here is a link where they can be purchased http://www.djfeathers.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_93&zenid=bcafde9188ae3d6e3fdcae4caee2d444

As part of my research I've also been watching a lot of videos of conure parents interacting with their pets and I've noted an odd behavior that I haven't found an explanation for.

Basically, what it is, is when the bird is getting all cuddly with its favorite human it'll bring a foot up to its beak and just hold it there, sometimes even hold one 'toe' gently in its beak that almost looks like a child sucking its thumb. Any ideas on what this means other than the bird is really comfortable?

I honestly don't know, but I will be interested in hearing why they do this.

Taking that into account, I would say it's probably a reaction to positive feelings. Like a dog twitching its leg when getting belly rubs.

Either way it's cute.

Another thought. Keeping the new bird in the same room as the old one.

I know the general idea is to house the bird in the 'center of activity' in the house. For me that would be my room, since I'm home most of week and only gone for a few hours when I am gone. I have enough room for the cage, but I wonder if it's alright to house a new conure with my budgie. Their cages will be at other ends of the room, but I wonder if having another bird so near will negatively effect my ability to bond with my new friend.

Any thoughts?

Here's more on quarantine: http://www.parrotparrot.com/library/quarantine.htm After safe quarantine, I think the best place for your birds is where you usually are. They will be company for each other across the room when you're away

Posting from my iPhone:

The birds should be fine in the same room after quarantine, but they will need their own cages to be in when you are not there to supervise out of cage play.