What are baby Green Cheeked Conures like?

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What are baby Green Cheeked Conures like?

by Tracie
(Texas)

Buddy the Normal Green Cheeked Conure

I recently had someone ask me what to expect when they bring home their new baby bird. It was late and I was tired, but these are the things I came up with.

Widget is my Yellow-Sided Green Cheeked Conure and Buddy is my Normal Green Cheeked Conure.

I just thought I would share my limited experience with my two GC's. When they were babies, lots of different things happened that don't happen now.

1) I guess they were skinny, because they would fall through the bottom of the grate on the cage sometimes. Maybe they just squeezed through to get to the paper, I don't know really. I had to put a different grate on the bottom for the first couple of weeks until they fattened up.

2) They were very clumsy and would fall off things the first few weeks.

3) It didn't seem they knew what they toys were for and I thought they would never learn to play.

4) They were so desperate to be with me, they would always dive off the cage to the floor and come running to me. Once they discovered toys, they rarely do this unless I ignore them when they are obviously trying to get my attention.

5) Buddy went from loving me to hating me in a day's time. Now, about 9 months later, he is starting to like me again. I am, and have always been, the one who feeds them every day. Buddy just decided he liked my daughter and husband better. It didn't change my love for him and I did not take offense. Birds will be birds and they will also read your body language and I promise you they read your mind too!

6) From now until one of you die, your bird will always feel your tension, anger, peace and happiness. Every time my daughter comes in tense and calmly starts telling me her woes, the birds go nuts squawking and carrying on. They feel something is wrong.

7) These birds are NOT quiet when they want our food or attention. Do not believe the text books about GC's being quiet. I can hear my birds 70 feet away through 3 closed doors, 5 rooms away when they are trying to call me back.

8) Both birds went through a nippy stage and Buddy is still nippy, but rarely bites. (Unless you don't pay attention to his body language, then you deserve it!)

9) Both birds will protect their cage. If I want to change out food or toys in the cage without letting them climb out first, I have to wear long sleeves and be really quick so my hands don't get beak holes in them. They bring blood. Sweet and cuddly once out of the cage though.

Well, that's my list. Does anyone else have something to add for future Green Cheek owners?

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What are baby Green Cheeked Conures like?

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Jan 11, 2010

hhii
by: Anonymous

Heey bird lovers! It was very interesting to read about your relationships with your pets. Though I've never actually had a bird of my own, I think they are very fasinating. I love animals, and i just wanted to say thanks for making me smile! : )

Nov 14, 2009

got new baby gcc
by: damo

i realli would like to no more about these cute lil fullas! i have to baby gcc loco and cj i bought them as hand rared buh they arnt very tame? they always fly away from me, they have there wings cliped and i have them in my galahs cage and took scooter ( my galah) out
if any1 could help with information it will b appricated :)

Editor's note: You need to post a new question so that people will answer it.

Aug 10, 2009

Magoo
by: Stan

I got Magoo from a breeder when he was 3 months old. His wings were clipped and he knew how to 'step up'. I've had Magoo for about 2 months now, and he really hasn't been a problem at all. His cage is big enough (17"x23.5"x40"h), and he always has 3 or 4 chew type toys - which he loves to destroy. I have put three branch type perches, one dowel perch and one gritty perch inside the cage. There is another branch perch, and a bungie or bong perch on the outside of the cage. Magoo likes to sleep in his cozy hut which is a fabric covered tent shaped thingy that hangs from the top of the cage. There are two feeding bowls inside the cage and a couple of foraging toys that I hide treats in for him to find. I put fruit and vegetable pieces in one bowl and pellets and seeds in the other. I have the gritty perch near his pellet bowl so that he will spend some time at least filing down his nails while he eats. Magoo drinks from a water bottle - it's much easier to keep clean. I work at home, so I spend lots of time with Magoo. He likes to fall asleep in my hand while I'm sitting in my chair. He has come to recognize the sounds and patterns in the house and knows when I'm about to enter his room. When I'm home I usually leave the cage open so he can crawl around outside and use his outside perches, which he loves. I cover his cage at night - only about the top half. it seems to be enough to give him the security he needs to go to sleep. Magoo is a great pet - I've taught him three or four tricks - I use a clicker and reward him with a pine nut cut into 4 pieces. He makes some adorable birdie noises, and can also squawk - mainly in the morning and when I first cover his cage at night - but also if I don't pay enough attention to him. But on the whole, Magoo is not noisy at all. Good luck to all you greencheek owners! - they make great pets!

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Aug 10, 2009
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Submitted by: Stan

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I got Magoo from a breeder when he was 3 months old. His wings were clipped and he knew how to 'step up'. I've had Magoo for about 2 months now, and he really hasn't been a problem at all. His cage is big enough (17"x23.5"x40"h), and he always has 3 or 4 chew type toys - which he loves to destroy. I have put three branch type perches, one dowel perch and one gritty perch inside the cage. There is another branch perch, and a bungie or bong perch on the outside of the cage. Magoo likes to sleep in his cozy hut which is a fabric covered tent shaped thingy that hangs from the top of the cage. There are two feeding bowls inside the cage and a couple of foraging toys that I hide treats in for him to find. I put fruit and vegetable pieces in one bowl and pellets and seeds in the other. I have the gritty perch near his pellet bowl so that he will spend some time at least filing down his nails while he eats. Magoo drinks from a water bottle - it's much easier to keep clean. I work at home, so I spend lots of time with Magoo. He likes to fall asleep in my hand while I'm sitting in my chair. He has come to recognize the sounds and patterns in the house and knows when I'm about to enter his room. When I'm home I usually leave the cage open so he can crawl around outside and use his outside perches, which he loves. I cover his cage at night - only about the top half. it seems to be enough to give him the security he needs to go to sleep. Magoo is a great pet - I've taught him three or four tricks - I use a clicker and reward him with a pine nut cut into 4 pieces. He makes some adorable birdie noises, and can also squawk - mainly in the morning and when I first cover his cage at night - but also if I don't pay enough attention to him. But on the whole, Magoo is not noisy at all. Good luck to all you greencheek owners! - they make great pets!

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Aug 01, 2009

Buddy
by: Joel

Hello.
Just thought i would share. I am in Australia and we bought a Green cheek almost a year ago now. He is also called Buddy :) He has recently also turned on my partner...she can't hold him without being bitten and sometimes he even chases her around the room :)

Jun 11, 2009

behavor
by: savannah

your bird will want attintion.trust me i have a conure.his name is rascall and can get out of his cage when he wants my attintion.but if you try to get him out and he backs away or scwaks that means you better back of or im going to bite so be carefull. if youleave him alone when he gives you his warnings and love him when he wants it your bird will love you for the rest of yalls lives. i think you should get a conure if you want a bird cause they are beautiful loving birds that are easy to care for. if you have a conure you made the right chose.

Mar 25, 2009

lost bird
by: tex bird watcher

I moved the question about the lost bird to parrot questions.

Sep 28, 2008

Cage size for baby Green Cheeked and Sun Conure
by: Tracie

Hello Alissa,

This isn't exactly the ideal way to answer your question since you posted your question in the response to a question instead of posting as a new question.

I am a believer in purchasing the largest cage, that has the proper bar spacing, you can afford and have room for. You want to have room for lots of toys and room to hop around and get exercise too. I like play top cages, because when you are home it gives them even more room to climb and explore.

For Green Cheeks, you want the bar spacing to be 3/4" to 5/8" max. You don't want them to be able to partially squeeze through the bars and get stuck or even escape. Also consider converting them to a safe, non-colored pellet if they are not already weaned to pellets. Training them to use a water bottle will lower the chance of getting a bacterial infection also.

If your birds will be climbing on the outside of the cage, you will want to purchase the Lixit bottles that have a wire that holds the bottle on instead of a spring. Some birds like to play with the springs and can get their beak or body parts trapped and then bleed to death quickly when they attempt to free themselves. I know of one person whose bird lost their beak to a spring attachment.

If you want them to have something cozy, provide a bird tent. Our two Green Cheeked Conures sleep in a large bird tent together. They also run and hide in there during the day when they want to be left alone or something scares them.

If both of the birds are babies and get along, they can share a cage without a problem. You might want to make sure they are the same gender so that you do not have breeding problems. Some female GC's don't even need a male to decide to lay eggs, but having a male will certainly increase the possibilities of having a chronic egg layer. That will also include having a grumpy bird when she is hormonal.

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Sep 28, 2008
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Submitted by: Tracie

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Comment
Hello Alissa, This isn't exactly the ideal way to answer your question since you posted your question in the response to a question instead of posting as a new question. I am a believer in purchasing the largest cage, that has the proper bar spacing, you can afford and have room for. You want to have room for lots of toys and room to hop around and get exercise too. I like play top cages, because when you are home it gives them even more room to climb and explore. For Green Cheeks, you want the bar spacing to be 3/4" to 5/8" max. You don't want them to be able to partially squeeze through the bars and get stuck or even escape. Also consider converting them to a safe, non-colored pellet if they are not already weaned to pellets. Training them to use a water bottle will lower the chance of getting a bacterial infection also. If your birds will be climbing on the outside of the cage, you will want to purchase the Lixit bottles that have a wire that holds the bottle on instead of a spring. Some birds like to play with the springs and can get their beak or body parts trapped and then bleed to death quickly when they attempt to free themselves. I know of one person whose bird lost their beak to a spring attachment. If you want them to have something cozy, provide a bird tent. Our two Green Cheeked Conures sleep in a large bird tent together. They also run and hide in there during the day when they want to be left alone or something scares them. If both of the birds are babies and get along, they can share a cage without a problem. You might want to make sure they are the same gender so that you do not have breeding problems. Some female GC's don't even need a male to decide to lay eggs, but having a male will certainly increase the possibilities of having a chronic egg layer. That will also include having a grumpy bird when she is hormonal.

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Sep 27, 2008

Cage Question?
by: alissa_n6@mac.com

I'm in the "nesting" stage... where I'm buying all sorts of toys and stuff for my baby conures. I'm buying from a breeder and was able to pick my green check and sun conures right after they were pulled. I'm buying a weened baby conure for $150 and my sun for $325 from the same person. Do you think a large cozy cage with lots of toys would be better or a large roomy cage with a smaller amount of toys would be better for the two? And is it a good idea to have two different conures in the same cage together?

Apr 09, 2008

Price
by: Anonymous

i would love to get my own green-cheeked. can you tell me how much a 7 week old conure would cost me?

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What are baby Green Cheeked Conures like?

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What are baby Green Cheeked Conures like?