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I need help. My son's girlfriend gave us this beautiful bird that no one else wanted because of behavior problems. We want to give this baby a loving home and don't know where to start. He doesn't bite hard at all but he seems to be scared of hands. The screaming seems to be pretty controlled, only when scared or approched with hands. He likes to ride on shoulders but will bite holes in your shirt. Any advise? We have no idea how old he is but seems full grown. I would love for them to be amazed on day that this is the same bird they didn't want.

My first question is do you have any experience with parrots? Your profile doesn't mention any other birds. Upon reading your post over I see you were slightly upset by parrot holes in your shirt. Any experienced parrot person knows you have 2 sets of clothes one of which is soley dedicated to be worn only around parrots and the other set to be worn out.Holes in shirts are pretty much the norm for parrots. You never wear your best to play with your bird.

Your bird is confused and scared just like you were the first day of school.

Read anything by Sally Blanchard,Mattie Sue Athon,Bird Talk Magazine. You can find references to themby doiing a search

I got Sinbad at 4 years old. I was the 4th owner. Took me a year to handle him and a large box of band aids a week. It takes PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE. Sinbad is now 22 years old. It can be done. Did I mention it takes PATIENCE?

If your bird has a band the year of hatch is generally on the band or an avian vet can make an educated guess

If you have specific questions we can help more.----Yogi

Congratulations and bless you for taking him in. Tell us please what you're feeding him and what his cage is like since those are the first priorities to keeping him safe and healthy. Then we can go from there.

Paca

thank you for your replys. I have some experience with yellow naped amazons and african greys ( I was thier babysitter). Maxs cage seems to be a good size with plenty of perches and toys. He has a wide variety of food including conure candy, nuts and such. His food is a good mix. I have learned quickly of the two sets of shirts. haha He is really coming around fast in my opinion. He already seems to trust me more. After a bad day yesturday, screeming in my ear and such i put him back in his cage for the rest of the day, today when i got him out he was much more loving and sweet. Also when we first got him he would not go back to his cage now i just walk over with him on my shoulder and he gets right in. Haven't I a smart bird!

Yes you do have a smart bird. I hope for your sake he is not smarter tan you ROTFLMAO ( they have lousy emoticons here)

What, pray tell, is conure candy? My Sinbad gets fruit & veggies, a little Zupreem pellets ,Harrisons and is on a special prescription Roudybush, Also some pasta,whole wheat bread and three or 4sunflower seeds . He is on a special diet for kidneys . He's going to the CAV Wed and we'll tweek his diet.

No need to tell me how smart nans are. My bird carries on simple conversations with me that make sense.

Just take it slow and easy and you'll be fine----Yogi