I got a crimson belly Conure!

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

He's biting less, but when he preens my face he pulls my facial hair. Is this still preening affectionately or is he trying to hurt me? He also hates his cage.

I think I'm going to see when/if I can go see his breeder again, like you suggested. Thanks!

 

[ladybirdb12]

So hows your little bird doing? Did the breeder help you and Toby?

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Looks like people have given you some really good advice so far. I'm glad things seem to be working out well for you!

Over the years (I worked at a parrot sanctuary for bout 7 years), I have learned not to let birds perch on my shoulder. There are only a few I will allow to do this. However, I have seen some really sweet birds do some really terrible damage to people who weren't expecting it.

I also seem to good luck training biting birds to be gentle by yelling "Ouch!" when they bite too hard. If you watch birds interacting with each other, when one bites another too hard, the other bird will yell out. My favorite bird likes to preen my fingers but sometimes he forgets to be really gentle. When he presses too hard, I say "Ouch" in a commanding voice and he remembers to be gentle again. I have mixed feelings about blowing in the faces of birds. I've heard people give this advice before, but I'm not a huge fan of doing that. I feel that it will cause the parrot more frustration. Parrots can be very temperamental and it can be difficult to "train" them. A lot of parrots just have bad days. It's just something parrot lovers get used to.

Parrots also seem to choose people they want to spend time with, so socializing is a good idea. My favorite bird at the sanctuary, who I am determined to one day own, chose me and is VERY gentle with me. He has attacked others though, including the owner of the sanctuary. We just have to be very careful with him. When stuff needs to be done, he'll let me do just about anything to him (except for cutting nails, that is still an issue for him). Which actually brings me to another point. It's good to introduce towels as "good" things to parrots. Get your parrot used to being wrapped up in them so that clipping nails and vet visits are good experiences. Food is a great motivator for this. This will make your life a 100 times easier in the long run.

If you have other questions, feel free to ask. I don't currently own a parrot, but have quite a bit of experience with them.

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

He's doing well. He still seems to only want to chew everything he finds. He very much enjoys chewing on my phone and laptop. And then he likes chewing on my nose and ears. I haven't had a chance to go back to the breeder but she says that she's willing to help us.

How do I get him used to pulling out his wing? He hates when I do that. But I think it would be a good idea for him to be okay with that because I'll need to trim his wings in the future.

 

[ladybirdb12]

You just play, and make a game saying am going to tickle you and you rub your hand under his wing very fast, just play. I have only one bird that will let me pull her wing out that's my cockatoo Lady. The others large birds its towel time, cover then snip the wings, be careful of blood feathers DO NOT CUT BLOOD FEATHERS!!!! ITS VERY PAINFULL FOR THEM.
Lol, welcome to parrots, yes they chew on everything everything is a toy for them.
I am so happy for you, it sounds like you are doing a great job in teaching him.
When I moved into my brand new house within two days, Lady decided to mark my wall, she did a great job removing the wall, lol it was my fault,so yes they love to chew. If he chews on something give him his toy, say no bite, here play with your toy.
You can go to the thirft store and buy baby toys, (clean them) and you will have some great toys for him, that he can play with outside his cage.

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

What are some tricks/games I can teach him? All he does when he gets out of his cage is bite everything, including himself and me...