I'm a newbie here as well. I am mum to one Green-cheek Conure named Captain Jack Parrot (AKA: Jack, or The Green Flash). He will be about 3 years old this August. I got him from my brother and his wife, who managed to smuggle him out of some awful living conditions just in time for Christmas.
We THINK he was about 5 months old at this point, at least his previous owners claimed this. His difficulties and intense dislike of his first molt seemed to confirm his youth : P
Anyway, for the first few months he was a royal pain. I couldn't hold him without having my fingers bitten. I couldn't keep him off my shoulders for more than 30 seconds. I couldn't get him onto my hand (protected with a towel) without using something scary (Like a hat) to chase him off the cage.
But! After a few months of training (HIM training ME more likely than not) and mutual disagreements, he started to improve...a year later he was the perfect bird. Hes happy to sit in the crook of my arm for hours cuddling, and has recently started to talk. His most favorite phrase at the moment is "GOOD BOY! Goodboy Jack!"
Nevermore
