Nervous about GCC

[RachelLynn]

I have been researching parrots and Green Cheek Conures in particular for months now. Now that I finally bought one, I feel ill prepared.

Here's what happened: I spook with Rita Garris at Rainbow Parrots about a week ago in order to join her very long waiting list for spring babies. In the meantime, I bought a cage and some toys. While looking around PetSmart last night, I saw a "fancy" GCC for sale. My boyfriend loves the yellow-sided mutation and he ask to hold the bird, against my better judgement. The bird was very sweet and outgoing, so much so that the whole PetSmart staff had fallen in love with him or her in a five month duration. Long story short, here I am with a new GCC. I know the basics such as providing a diet made up of fruits and vegetables, pellets, no chocolate or avocado (among other things), no Teflon, full spectrum lighting, letting the wings grow out, giving the bird hours of individual attention each day, ect.

Armed with little else but book learning, I feel inadequate and SCARED. For example, I was trying to bake a cake for my sister's birthday earlier in the evening and the GCC (no name yet) was so curious about the kitchen that I let him or her play on a desk in the kitchen with birdie toys. Since the bird's wings have not yet grown out, I thought that the bird would be fine, especially since I was just mixing ingredients with no heat on the stove-top. I knew I needed to turn on the mixer because the recipe required it and I hesitantly did so. I looked to see the bird running to the edge of the desk. I immediately shut of the mixer and went to the bird to give him or her my shoulder. I walked to the bird's cage and talked softy while the bird still seemed scared. The GCC ate next to the cage and then climbed on my shoulder, but still seemed scared and discontent. I heard little intermittent chirping noises. Did I just scare the bird into being frightened of everything? I know it is only the first twenty-four hours, but I feel as if I'm doing everything wrong.

My question is, how should I acquaint the bird with the household, having come straight from a breeder to the pet store? If you are experienced with sharing your home with a bird, what do you wish you had known about it's care and well-being beforehand, especially concerning the ?

[LadySaphine]

Well, you need to let the bird get used to his surroundings first. I acquired Peanut the same way- walked in thinking of a budgie, walked out with a green cheek!

It might take a while for him to settle in. I would handle him in the room he is in before showing him around. Get him comfortable before taking him places, or you're going to overwhelm him.

[RachelLynn]

Thanks! I guess I need to relax. I guess it's normal for some parrots to act differently in the evening, especially a new bird. I think he knows when I'm nervous and acts accordingly.

[Pajarita]

Keep him in his cage most of the time and only take him out in that room (which should not be the kitchen) for the first two weeks or so.

[paper_lantern]

Bird ownership is like parenting. First time parents read books and research, but when the baby comes they feel incredibly inadequate. I did TWO YEARS of research on birds before getting a GCC, and I still felt scared and overwhelmed when my baby first came home. It's normal to make mistakes (hopefully just small mistakes, not lethal ones) and you WILL learn.

Like everyone else said, give him a day or two (or three) to get used to his surroundings. Keep things calm and warm in the house. Clipped birds can still fly, so while his wings are growing out you might still want to bird proof when he is out and about (close windows, no fans, no cooking, lock doors, etc). You seem to already have a lot of knowledge about food (a good pellet, veggies, fruits, fresh water). Do you have a lot of different types of toys? What about perches, is there a variety of materials and sizes? Also, is the cage big enough and safe enough? If so, I would say you are WAY ahead of most people who go into the situation completely blind. Good on you for having done your research first. Now, take a DEEP breath, you'll be fine, and we are all here if ever you need advice.

It would be great if you would learn some basic training techniques for when he is more comfortable in his new home. Training can help with bonding, and it can help reduce unwanted behavior, it will also better prepare you for the famous GCC nippy phase, lol. But again, only when he is completely settled in should you attempt any type of training, at least in my opinion.

I would also say to verse yourself in bird first aid (what to do in cases of emergencies), as well as locate a good avian vet so you have resources if ever your bird is injured or sick. Also, make sure you know what the signs of a sick bird are. Good luck!