Negurj - 2012-01-22 I bought a young Green Cheek Conure in September 2008 for my partner which turned out to be a delightful little companion, naughty, inquisitive, not scared of and very curious about everything. Life and working pattern changed and a years later we bought a companion who was not well cared for. They took to each other, the new friend bloomed, learned tricks and became very very tame but unfortunately we found out a few month later that this unscrupulous person sold us a Johnny instead of a Jenny. We had no idea what to do and needless to say that eggs did not survive. It took the pair a few month to calm down and become regular pets again. However, they got frisky again this year and despite of removing the sleeping pouch they made eggs. Again, eggs did not hatch but we both can not stand another episode of becoming pseudo-grandparents....and here is my dilemma. Female bird is already back to her normal mischievous self, out of the cage causing mayhem but the male, usually hand tame and cuddly, this time around is inconsolable if she is not with him. When we leave both out he is chasing her and trying to hang onto her - wing, foot, neck, anything he can get hold of her. They are content in the cage and I know we are the problem but has anyone else dealt with this problem? A friend is ready to take the male but are we doing the right thing in separating them? Alternative is a bird sanctuary where he would be living in a flock...HEEEELP please, our hearts are aching by the thought of doing the wrong thing.
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Clarice Brough - 2012-01-22 It sounds like you're not wanting to keep going through the breeding stage, where they become less social and may end up with babies. I understand the birds are content in their cage, but out of the cage the male is chasing and hanging on the female - wanting to keep close contact. It's a tough call to decide to separate them. It sounds like they have a good companionship with each other and birds have a very good memory. But most likely the they would adapt to being without a companion again. If you decide to separate them I think the birds would adapt, though it may take some time.
Negurj - 2012-01-28 Thank you very much for the encouraging words, we have still not decided what to do but at least there is a silver lining. Amazing how two little birds can run your life....
mark - 2012-05-13 Do not separate them. I made that mistake once and will never do that again. The male became unmanageable for all it's remaining years.
Charlie Roche - 2012-05-14 You are not going to do a wrong thing. Your friend can take the male and the male will form a human bond again with a new person. Might take 2 weeks but he will be fine. In the wild they will take other mates and form other bonds. When two parrots are trying to 'do it' for the first time, there is trial and error and more often than not the first few clutches are infertile. There is no FLOCK for them to watch and see how 'it' is done. Many parrots have their hormonal phase in the spring whether mated with another parrot or not. So you can give the male to your human friend and he will bond. You can keep the pair you have and eventually they will figure out how to 'do it'. Many times the hormonal stuff will stop when summer finally comes. If they figure out how to 'do it' you can keep one of the babies for yourself but don't pair it. Example if you put even two males together, frequently one will assume the female role. You can have two conures or a macaw and a conure but don't let them share a cage.
Angela Wyse - 2012-04-28 Can you help our conure has started ripping the newspaper at the bottom of the cage, this morning the paper has been pushed to one end and it's staying at the bottom of the cage, not sure if it's male or female hense the name Bobbie, are they nesting? Please help.
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Charlie Roche - 2012-04-28 I have no way of knowing if your conure is trying to build a nest, however, they do chew up paper into little bitty pieces. I buy my conure whole tablets to chew up in little pieces and keep the tablet on his perch. That way he doesn't chew up the paper in the bottom of the cage. Good luck.
Celynne - 2007-10-25 My GCC, Peabody, is my first parrot. I had a few budgies (parakeets)before, but never a parrot. Peabody was four months old when I bought him. I thought he would be a lot like a budgie, silly me. Tiny little bird that he was, I found myself 'bird proofing' my home. I couldn't believe his deductive reasoning. It would take more space than I have here to explain what he would do, but it amazed me. I am a high school teacher, and this little bird had more critical thinking skills than many of my students. He talks... A LOT! His favorites are 'Whatcha' doing', 'Get the baby!', 'Whaz up, Nut', and my favorite is when I take him for a ride in the car ... 'Wheeeeeeee' and 'Zoom, zoom, zoom' (from the TV ads on tv). One thing he does that I have never seen or heard of about GCCs is he PURRS! I don't have cats, so he can't have learned it from a cat. He crawls into my lap in the evenings for his scratch and purrs! You can hear it and feel him vibrating as he purrs. Has anyone ever had a purring conure? Anyway, he's six years old now. A happy, healthy bird raised by a totally inexperienced parrot person.
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paul - 2012-04-16 Yeah my green cheeked conure purrs as well. I can't move without him following me everywhere I go. He wants cuddling all the time. He's like a baby and starts crying for me for attention if I am out of the room. I love him very much.
sue makin - 2012-03-25 I have a green cheeked conure parrot, donot know the sex, it is 18 weeks old and is bonding with me very easily, when I give it a scratch around its his head and neck it of course loves it, then I will stop for a minute and sometimes it will turn around and kinda push its bottom (I suppose you call it that) right up against my hand which is resting on the table and its tail feathers are up above my hand and then it gives a little wiggle and shakes its little wings, kinda like a little flutter and then a little wiggle again, do you know what it is doing?
jude silver - 2011-06-13 I have an egg in my nesting box. I would like to know if I need to remove the egg. Cause of the male but I only have one egg not more if anyone knows I would apperciate it if someone could get back with me and let me know? thanks
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Charlie Roche - 2011-06-13 Leave the egg in the nesting box. The female will start to sit the eggs when she lays all the eggs - usually 2 or 3.
Charlie Roche - 2012-01-31 If you want just the one - then give the male to your friend. The Male Johnny I am sure will bond with a human companion. They will adjust. Try and look at it this way - they had a teen romance - now it's time to grow up, be companion, be loved, be fun and when they really grow up and it is time for them to Marry - say 20 years old or older - then they can think about it again.
nicholas - 2012-01-16 Hi one of my green cheek conures past away recently and the other has been acting strange lately. If i get a new mate will she adapt to the new mate or be aggresive to it she seems lonely and I would buy a new mate if it made her calmier
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Charlie Roche - 2012-01-16 Conures are VERY VERY social beings and want companionship from their human or their flock. I am sorry that one died but yes the one that is left is mourning and looking for her companion. However, the one that is left will also be more protective of her cage waiting for her companion to come back. I would get another one and introduce them in neutral terriotry - not close to the cage. Let them get used to each other for a few hours on the living room floor or bed - porch whatever. Feed them and play with them both etc. Rearrange the old cage - just move toys around or add new toys. Move perches around and if possible even move the cages location. Let the new one go in first and get used to it whilke you give the older one some extra attention and then place the new one in the cage. They should be fine, 100% OK minus a little squabble but just let them play together and eat together on neutral territory till you see they get along.
nicholas - 2012-01-16 Thank you for your help. I will get one as soon as possible does the age matter? The one I have I believe is a female
carol curtis - 2012-01-01 I have a breeding pair of maroon bellied conures they have 5 eggs could you tell me will they throw the shells out when the young has hatched? Thanks.
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Alex Burleson - 2012-01-01 As in the wild, birds usually remove egg shells from their nest. I would not recommend touching the chicks, or nest during the first several weeks after hatching, or before hatching.
carol curtis - 2012-01-05 My pair of conures has chicks do I continue giving them the same amount of fruit while they are feeding their young or not so much,thank you for any information.
Charlie Roche - 2012-01-05 I would let up on the fruit and do more scrambled eggs and leave the shells in while scrambing and add veggies. I would also do a little chicken/tunafish - mine loves tuna salad -- little more soft foods that are eaasy to eat and feed the babies and calcium and protein are important.
Judy Weldon - 2011-12-02 I am looking for a green cheek for my grandsons Christmas gift. I have found a four month old female that stays in a cage with his brother and has become territorial. The lady says he bites when she goes in the cage to feed, etc. The male is not so. She says once she gets him out he is fine. Will he stop the territorial actions when isolated and spends time with a new owner? I don't want to give my grandsons a biter. Judy
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Charlie Roche - 2011-12-02 A person can tame a conure but not fun and should have a lot of experience with parrots first. If the woman can't handle her own bird - there is no way a stranger is going to be able to. Yes, will probably tame down after a time. My concern is a breeder that hand fed babies would not leave two together at that age as bond to the other bird. She should be able to handle them with no problems at all and give them to others to hold and handle. She obviously can not do this. Another concern I have is the 4 month old. The only way that is possible is if they were born really late in breeding season. Real strange. Conures are born in the spring. So she can't handle her own supposedly hand fed bird. You really don't know how old these birds are. They are not going to be better behaved at a new home and it would take a lot of doing to tame them - otherwise she would be able to handle them. A conure is a super super great pet for a young person. They are family orientated, love playing, they are like velcro to your shirt, affectionate and just a clown. However, I would wait until spring and new babies are born and I think I would not buy from this woman. You want a hand fed baby that your grandson can hold and give kisses to and will play in his lap when you purchase it.
Judy - 2011-12-02 Thanks, Charlie. I just talked with the lady and she is not sure of age and says she has papers where she got them from the breeder. She says the male bird is very laid back and easy and the female has just started becoming territorial. The vet said the conure was healthy and probably is displaying jealousy and/or a protective attitude. Once the female is out of the cage she is fine and easy to handle. I am going to see them this evening. You sound very knowledgeable and I appreciate any tips you may have. I have a green cheek that I purchased as a 4 month old approximately 9 years ago and she is a great bird. Thanks again, Judy
Charlie Roche - 2011-12-02 OK you know the personality of a conure and how friendly, outgoing and velcro they are. Expressive etc. I don't have any idea how old these conures are - but it just makes no sense to me that at 4 or even 8 months or a year - a person wouldn't be able to just pick these guys up and hold them. With a conure, it is more you have to get them off you but they are so affectionate. Good luck.
Baby78 - 2011-08-18 Hi. I will be purchasing two green cheek conures and will house them together. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the minimum size cage requirements are. Would a cage size of 18 by 18 with an inside height of 29 be convenient for two green cheek conures? I have read that the ideal size for two green cheek conures would be 24 by 24 but I am trying to avoid having a cage of that size inside my home.
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Charlie Roche - 2011-08-18 Sorry, that would be way too small. I would suggest at a minimum 21/2 by 3 feet by 6 feet. They play a lot and need toys, they need stimulation and human interaction. They need activity and again stimulation or you are into big time feather plucking. If they are going to be in their cage a lot, then you need an even larger cage or think of a flight. My cage is 3 x 4 by 6 for one with a play top and his own perch.
harry - 2011-09-09 I would say that a 18 by 18 is a bit small for one conure. As it all comes down to how often you get the birds out. I have have a rather large cage for my bird but he is hardly ever in it as he is always on me. I think you should go for a 24 by 24 at the smallest. But if the birds are out of the cage alot a cage of 18 by 18 is just about ok. But remeber evan if the birds are'nt in the cage that often have toys in there for them to enjoy the short time there in the cage!!!!!! Hope you enjoy bird keping as much as I do, harry
Toby Jungle - 2011-09-09 No that is too small - sorry. A cage should be at least large enough for their wings to be extended fully. That would a minimum requirement of 2 feet. They should have more than one perch and they are about 12 inches in length - so there is 3 feet high. You would also, I think want a concrete perch at the top of the cage so his nails and beak are filed so now we are at a 2 X 2 X 3 two feet wide by 2 feet deep and 3 feet high - minimum for one conure. I'd go at least 2 X 3 X 4 for two. Two perches (not doll rods) plus concrete perch as the highest perch. Conures are not big but they are active and they need room to play. They needs toys and they need fun. They need their humans and they need to be included in the family. They love their humans and see them as their own personal flock. Enjoy them.
betty - 2011-09-21 First off make sure that the birds getting along with each other and if they are boy and girl, make sure they are not brother and sisters. And that is way to small for just one bird. You will need alot bigger cage aleast 24x24, the bigger the better. And they will need alot of toys and vegs and good seed everyday. And time with the family and not left in a room away from the family. These birds need human to be around.
Darin - 2011-11-23 Dear Baby78,
That size cage would be acceptable for just one Green Cheek with lots of time out of the cage, but you'll need more room for two birds. May have to move up to at least 24 inches.
"Pooki" is just about four months old and he is so darn playful,... he can't wait to be let out of his cage!
I bought a young Green Cheek Conure in September 2008 for my partner which turned out to be a delightful little companion, naughty, inquisitive, not scared of and very curious about everything. Life and working pattern changed and a years later we bought a companion who was not well cared for. They took to each other, the new friend bloomed, learned tricks and became very very tame but unfortunately we found out a few month later that this unscrupulous person sold us a Johnny instead of a Jenny. We had no idea what to do and needless to say that eggs did not survive. It took the pair a few month to calm down and become regular pets again. However, they got frisky again this year and despite of removing the sleeping pouch they made eggs. Again, eggs did not hatch but we both can not stand another episode of becoming pseudo-grandparents....and here is my dilemma. Female bird is already back to her normal mischievous self, out of the cage causing mayhem but the male, usually hand tame and cuddly, this time around is inconsolable if she is not with him. When we leave both out he is chasing her and trying to hang onto her - wing, foot, neck, anything he can get hold of her. They are content in the cage and I know we are the problem but has anyone else dealt with this problem? A friend is ready to take the male but are we doing the right thing in separating them? Alternative is a bird sanctuary where he would be living in a flock...HEEEELP please, our hearts are aching by the thought of doing the wrong thing.
It sounds like you're not wanting to keep going through the breeding stage, where they become less social and may end up with babies. I understand the birds are content in their cage, but out of the cage the male is chasing and hanging on the female - wanting to keep close contact. It's a tough call to decide to separate them. It sounds like they have a good companionship with each other and birds have a very good memory. But most likely the they would adapt to being without a companion again. If you decide to separate them I think the birds would adapt, though it may take some time.
Thank you very much for the encouraging words, we have still not decided what to do but at least there is a silver lining. Amazing how two little birds can run your life....
Do not separate them. I made that mistake once and will never do that again. The male became unmanageable for all it's remaining years.
You are not going to do a wrong thing. Your friend can take the male and the male will form a human bond again with a new person. Might take 2 weeks but he will be fine. In the wild they will take other mates and form other bonds. When two parrots are trying to 'do it' for the first time, there is trial and error and more often than not the first few clutches are infertile. There is no FLOCK for them to watch and see how 'it' is done. Many parrots have their hormonal phase in the spring whether mated with another parrot or not. So you can give the male to your human friend and he will bond. You can keep the pair you have and eventually they will figure out how to 'do it'. Many times the hormonal stuff will stop when summer finally comes. If they figure out how to 'do it' you can keep one of the babies for yourself but don't pair it. Example if you put even two males together, frequently one will assume the female role. You can have two conures or a macaw and a conure but don't let them share a cage.
Can you help our conure has started ripping the newspaper at the bottom of the cage, this morning the paper has been pushed to one end and it's staying at the bottom of the cage, not sure if it's male or female hense the name Bobbie, are they nesting? Please help.
I have no way of knowing if your conure is trying to build a nest, however, they do chew up paper into little bitty pieces. I buy my conure whole tablets to chew up in little pieces and keep the tablet on his perch. That way he doesn't chew up the paper in the bottom of the cage. Good luck.
My GCC, Peabody, is my first parrot. I had a few budgies (parakeets)before, but never a parrot. Peabody was four months old when I bought him. I thought he would be a lot like a budgie, silly me. Tiny little bird that he was, I found myself 'bird proofing' my home. I couldn't believe his deductive reasoning. It would take more space than I have here to explain what he would do, but it amazed me. I am a high school teacher, and this little bird had more critical thinking skills than many of my students. He talks... A LOT! His favorites are 'Whatcha' doing', 'Get the baby!', 'Whaz up, Nut', and my favorite is when I take him for a ride in the car ... 'Wheeeeeeee' and 'Zoom, zoom, zoom' (from the TV ads on tv). One thing he does that I have never seen or heard of about GCCs is he PURRS! I don't have cats, so he can't have learned it from a cat. He crawls into my lap in the evenings for his scratch and purrs! You can hear it and feel him vibrating as he purrs. Has anyone ever had a purring conure? Anyway, he's six years old now. A happy, healthy bird raised by a totally inexperienced parrot person.
Yeah my green cheeked conure purrs as well. I can't move without him following me everywhere I go. He wants cuddling all the time. He's like a baby and starts crying for me for attention if I am out of the room. I love him very much.
I have a green cheeked conure parrot, donot know the sex, it is 18 weeks old and is bonding with me very easily, when I give it a scratch around its his head and neck it of course loves it, then I will stop for a minute and sometimes it will turn around and kinda push its bottom (I suppose you call it that) right up against my hand which is resting on the table and its tail feathers are up above my hand and then it gives a little wiggle and shakes its little wings, kinda like a little flutter and then a little wiggle again, do you know what it is doing?
I have an egg in my nesting box. I would like to know if I need to remove the egg. Cause of the male but I only have one egg not more if anyone knows I would apperciate it if someone could get back with me and let me know? thanks
Leave the egg in the nesting box. The female will start to sit the eggs when she lays all the eggs - usually 2 or 3.
so what do we do now?
If you want just the one - then give the male to your friend. The Male Johnny I am sure will bond with a human companion. They will adjust. Try and look at it this way - they had a teen romance - now it's time to grow up, be companion, be loved, be fun and when they really grow up and it is time for them to Marry - say 20 years old or older - then they can think about it again.
Hi one of my green cheek conures past away recently and the other has been acting strange lately. If i get a new mate will she adapt to the new mate or be aggresive to it she seems lonely and I would buy a new mate if it made her calmier
Conures are VERY VERY social beings and want companionship from their human or their flock. I am sorry that one died but yes the one that is left is mourning and looking for her companion. However, the one that is left will also be more protective of her cage waiting for her companion to come back. I would get another one and introduce them in neutral terriotry - not close to the cage. Let them get used to each other for a few hours on the living room floor or bed - porch whatever. Feed them and play with them both etc. Rearrange the old cage - just move toys around or add new toys. Move perches around and if possible even move the cages location. Let the new one go in first and get used to it whilke you give the older one some extra attention and then place the new one in the cage.
They should be fine, 100% OK minus a little squabble but just let them play together and eat together on neutral territory till you see they get along.
Thank you for your help. I will get one as soon as possible does the age matter? The one I have I believe is a female
I have a breeding pair of maroon bellied conures they have 5 eggs could you tell me will they throw the shells out when the young has hatched? Thanks.
As in the wild, birds usually remove egg shells from their nest. I would not recommend touching the chicks, or nest during the first several weeks after hatching, or before hatching.
My pair of conures has chicks do I continue giving them the same amount of fruit while they are feeding their young or not so much,thank you for any information.
I would let up on the fruit and do more scrambled eggs and leave the shells in while scrambing and add veggies. I would also do a little chicken/tunafish - mine loves tuna salad
-- little more soft foods that are eaasy to eat and feed the babies and calcium and protein are important.
I am looking for a green cheek for my grandsons Christmas gift. I have found a four month old female that stays in a cage with his brother and has become territorial. The lady says he bites when she goes in the cage to feed, etc. The male is not so. She says once she gets him out he is fine. Will he stop the territorial actions when isolated and spends time with a new owner? I don't want to give my grandsons a biter. Judy
A person can tame a conure but not fun and should have a lot of experience with parrots first. If the woman can't handle her own bird - there is no way a stranger is going to be able to. Yes, will probably tame down after a time. My concern is a breeder that hand fed babies would not leave two together at that age as bond to the other bird. She should be able to handle them with no problems at all and give them to others to hold and handle. She obviously can not do this. Another concern I have is the 4 month old. The only way that is possible is if they were born really late in breeding season. Real strange. Conures are born in the spring. So she can't handle her own supposedly hand fed bird. You really don't know how old these birds are. They are not going to be better behaved at a new home and it would take a lot of doing to tame them - otherwise she would be able to handle them. A conure is a super super great pet for a young person. They are family orientated, love playing, they are like velcro to your shirt, affectionate and just a clown. However, I would wait until spring and new babies are born and I think I would not buy from this woman. You want a hand fed baby that your grandson can hold and give kisses to and will play in his lap when you purchase it.
Thanks, Charlie. I just talked with the lady and she is not sure of age and says she has papers where she got them from the breeder. She says the male bird is very laid back and easy and the female has just started becoming territorial. The vet said the conure was healthy and probably is displaying jealousy and/or a protective attitude. Once the female is out of the cage she is fine and easy to handle. I am going to see them this evening. You sound very knowledgeable and I appreciate any tips you may have. I have a green cheek that I purchased as a 4 month old approximately 9 years ago and she is a great bird. Thanks again,
Judy
OK you know the personality of a conure and how friendly, outgoing and velcro they are. Expressive etc. I don't have any idea how old these conures are - but it just makes no sense to me that at 4 or even 8 months or a year - a person wouldn't be able to just pick these guys up and hold them. With a conure, it is more you have to get them off you but they are so affectionate. Good luck.
Hi. I will be purchasing two green cheek conures and will house them together. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the minimum size cage requirements are. Would a cage size of 18 by 18 with an inside height of 29 be convenient for two green cheek conures? I have read that the ideal size for two green cheek conures would be 24 by 24 but I am trying to avoid having a cage of that size inside my home.
Sorry, that would be way too small. I would suggest at a minimum 21/2 by 3 feet by 6 feet. They play a lot and need toys, they need stimulation and human interaction. They need activity and again stimulation or you are into big time feather plucking. If they are going to be in their cage a lot, then you need an even larger cage or think of a flight. My cage is 3 x 4 by 6 for one with a play top and his own perch.
I would say that a 18 by 18 is a bit small for one conure. As it all comes down to how often you get the birds out. I have have a rather large cage for my bird but he is hardly ever in it as he is always on me. I think you should go for a 24 by 24 at the smallest. But if the birds are out of the cage alot a cage of 18 by 18 is just about ok. But remeber evan if the birds are'nt in the cage that often have toys in there for them to enjoy the short time there in the cage!!!!!! Hope you enjoy bird keping as much as I do, harry
No that is too small - sorry. A cage should be at least large enough for their wings to be extended fully. That would a minimum requirement of 2 feet. They should have more than one perch and they are about 12 inches in length - so there is 3 feet high. You would also, I think want a concrete perch at the top of the cage so his nails and beak are filed so now we are at a 2 X 2 X 3 two feet wide by 2 feet deep and 3 feet high - minimum for one conure. I'd go at least 2 X 3 X 4 for two. Two perches (not doll rods) plus concrete perch as the highest perch. Conures are not big but they are active and they need room to play. They needs toys and they need fun. They need their humans and they need to be included in the family. They love their humans and see them as their own personal flock. Enjoy them.
First off make sure that the birds getting along with each other and if they are boy and girl, make sure they are not brother and sisters. And that is way to small for just one bird. You will need alot bigger cage aleast 24x24, the bigger the better. And they will need alot of toys and vegs and good seed everyday. And time with the family and not left in a room away from the family. These birds need human to be around.
Dear Baby78,
That size cage would be acceptable for just one Green Cheek with lots of time out of the cage, but you'll need more room for two birds. May have to move up to at least 24 inches.