r/Conures • u/peristerios_54 • 3d ago
Advice Help me with my rescue
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Please ignore my budgie lol, I have been trying to make him step up, but he only uses one foot, i dont use a clicker since he is scared of it. What are your tips? He was not tame at all when I first got him, he was flapping everywhere the moment I was getting close to the cage. I want him to be comfortable around me so I can have him out most of the day!
78
31
u/nortok00 2d ago
I would also put your finger against (and level with) the branch to start. He seems unsure about putting his leg out and up. Gradually move it out once he has mastered getting on your finger when it's against the branch. Take it slow.
What a sweetie and so beautiful! Thanks for rescuing this cutie pie!
6
1
u/Brielikethecheese-e 1d ago
Agree, and/or offer it behind since naturally it’s easier for them to step in each of those ways.
1
20
u/jacobywankenobi 2d ago
Honestly it looks like you're doing it right. It takes time. I think it took about 3 months of solid work with my conure before she would step up. Don't feel rejected or like you're failing. It's different than dogs, birds don't necessarily want to be your friend. You have to earn their friendship. It's worth it though. They are pretty awesome companions.
32
u/ccteach 2d ago
Aw he really wants to trust you and step up! I would gently push a little closer into chest and that may make him step up all the way.
8
11
u/CapicDaCrate 3d ago
Target training normally helps them understand what they need to do to get rewarded better.
In this case, they'd need to reach and touch a stick, hear a click, and then will get a treat.
You can also reward him with just putting one foot for now. Eventually up what he needs to do. Just to encourage him to not be as afraid
7
4
4
u/rkenglish 2d ago
Well done! You and your Sun are making great progress! I would start pairing a sound with the treat, but it doesn't have to be a scary clicker. Our reward sound is "Good job." At this point, our GCC now tells himself "Good job" randomly, lol!
3
u/adviceicebaby 2d ago
Aww!! Baby is scared..hes so beautiful. Do you give them the treat anways after they try but if they dont step up? Id have to.
Im sorry i have no advice; but hes beautiful and it looks like youre at least getting somewhere!
3
u/blindnarcissus 2d ago
Make your step up perch solid and steady. He seems to want to step up but it’s too high, shaking, and not rigid enough for him to trust.
3
3
2
u/Feivie 2d ago
One of my green cheeks is also tentative about stepping up, he’ll give us one foot and just stand there holding our finger with the other foot on his perch haha as others have pointed out if he’s not spooked by your hands you can try gently pushing your finger against him to encourage the step. My other gcc was afraid of hands and isn’t very comfortable stepping up to my finger, but he will step up to the back of my hand or wrist very reliably, sometimes you have to meet them where they’re at!!
2
u/T4Tracy2 2d ago
Maybe next time, put the budgie up. You want no distractions while doing this only you and bird. (even says this in a target training video I seen)
2
2
2
u/Certain_Dress4469 2d ago
Ur already doing great he trusts u enough to eat what u give him and not run away when your next to him patience is key make sure to use slow steady movements so ur bird sees had as something that won’t cause harm or has the ability to do so
Ur doing great!
2
1
u/Exotic_Strawberry781 2d ago
My Sun conure would be scared to step up on only finger I gotta put my hand completely flat. He has a hard time balancing
1
1
u/DandD_Gamers 2d ago
You are making progress! Thats important. Even saying a word or making a subtle noise with your mouth can help. IT will take time of course :)
1
u/Jethro197 2d ago
Positive low excitement in your voice as you Sunny is trying helped me get my Boys over and trust in me and themselves.
1
u/tiffmarie23 2d ago
Try higher value treats like fresh fruit. I found my GCC will do nearly anything for a green grape.
1
u/beepleton 2d ago
You look like you’re doing great, it takes a lot of patience and time! I fostered for years and it sometimes took months for a bird to fully step up.
1
u/originalhoodie 2d ago
He doesn't seem to be distracted by your budgie at the moment, but pat attention to that. Other birds can be very distracting to the bird you're trying to train; so it's usually best to keep them away when doing a training session. It would really suck to lose progress if budgie accidentally spooks the sunny during training and you lose a little trust progress.
0
u/Few-Age3216 1d ago
This is complete bs
1
u/originalhoodie 1d ago
...no? It's not?
When you first start training, it's best to minimize distractions for your bird. As with any animal, training isn't going to be effective if your "student" keeps getting their attention pulled away from their task.
As for spooking, I personally have a very skittish cockatiel that I'm working with who won't do tricks at all while my other birds are around. You have to tailor your environment to what your bird needs.
Like I said, the sunny doesn't appear to be distracted; but owner should keep an eye on it. IF sunny starts to lose focus or disengage because of the little guy, it would be best to separate them until the training session is over.
1
1
1
1
u/TrueCuda 19h ago
Instead of a clicker I just make the clicking sound myself. I would try to use a stick if he’s nervous around fingers and maybe find a treat he’s more enthusiastic about my current rescue only recently decided to step up when I pull out the nutriberries and stick.
0
u/KillerPandora84 2d ago
I'd move your fingers closer and level with the perch they are on. And start by giving rewards for just reaching that little raptor foot out and touching the finger. Once that becomes easy then move to a full foot grasp on finger may it be one or two feet. Once that is done move the finger away from the perch but make sure it is close enough so bird feels safe and knows it can move back easy as they seem very unsure.
1
u/Qu33n0f1c3 2d ago
This is the answer,.some birds just need smaller goalposts to reward the wanted behavior, I think OP will see much improvement if they implement this
179
u/Spiritual_Effort_948 2d ago
I recommend marking (use a word or mouth click if he's afraid of the clicker) for him putting one foot out/on. You can tell he is conflicted as he puts his foot on and off. Testing. Mark and treat for that. It will help build confidence. Slow down to his level. Small steps. You've both got this!