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| A few weeks ago, I fell in love with a Sun Conure, he was 2 or 3 years old they told me, and they'd only had him a month. I tried to convince them to sell him to me, but obviously they too loved him. So I started hunting for one... I didn't realize, how hard it is to find an adult sun conure, as a pet. I can find babies, but to be honest... that scares me. I don't know anything about birds, let alone baby birds! I have been studying things on the internet about them, and have learned that they are usually all as friendly and have the personality plus, which the one has that I fell in love with. So I would really like to get one... but a baby... am I worrying to much, about being so inexperienced and getting a baby? I don't know what could or might go wrong with babies, its not like other animals, I have a life time of experience with horses and dogs, but this is somewhat nerve wracking for me... yet, the one I met, had such a great personality, and such a people loving bird... I have never seen that before in a bird. Any advice??? I have order three books on conures, but haven't recieved them yet. I sure would apperciate any help! Thanks, Darcy
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| Hi Darcy, When you say "baby" what exactly do you mean? If you are refering to an unweaned baby, buy one that's already weaned. You don't really have to do anything different for a 3 or 4 month old Conure that's weaned vs a 3 or 4 year old Conure. Good luck in your search!
Stacy Shue
Blake Aviary
www.blakeaviary.com
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| I asked the breeder, who let me know it would be ten weeks old, and that its nearly full size at that point. She also told me at that age they can eat and so on as an adult bird. Boy that shows how inexperienced I am! I am excited about getting one, but nervous too! I am glad I found this forum, because I'll probably have lots of questions in the future! I just can't believe how a bird stole my heart! Darcy
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| I know this is a very exciting time and can emphathize with how a little sunny stole your heart but here are a few things to keep in mind before making the leap. This is going to change your whole life, you won't be living for yourself any more, you've got a little life that depends upon you for everything. It will need the largest cage you can afford, fresh food that should include a well-rounded diet of fresh fruits & vegetables, a little seed mix now & then as well as a healthy pellet diet. An ever changing variety of toys for your little one to play with, as well as materials that they can chew & destroy such as untreated wood, etc.. Also, your baby will need all the time you can give it or it can literally go insane from neglect! There's nothing more tragic than to see a poor little bird who wasn't quite what their owner expected when they 'fell in love' with their baby. Conure's, particularly Sun Conures make quite a bit of noise so it's not recommended as an apartment bird unless you've got very understanding neighbors. Too many times I've had to rescue some poor little bird because it's owner got themselves evicted or was given the choice of "that bird, or me". Birds are very sensitive to their environment and when neglected they can start plucking their feathers, many to the point that they're completely bald. Over time, the feathers will stop growing back if it continues. They can even begin mutilating themselves in the final stages before insanity sets in. Your Sun will need the same amount of time that you would give a small child, that is, every minute of the day, if you'll allow it. Forget vacations, trips, all of that - unless you're willing to find a reputable boarding service and pay the price. Keep in mind that being exposed to other birds can transfer illnesses, many times fatal one's. Regular vet checkups are a must so expect to spend at least $500/year on a healthy bird. Last summer one of our cockatoos ingested a piece of metal that caused heavy metal poisoning that almost killed him. 3 trips to the ER, a week's boarding at the vet's home for intensive care as well as chelating therapy for 2 weeks cost us nearly $3000, for one bird! It was worth every penny to save our baby's life but what if we weren't in a position to deal with the cost? Our vet regularly gets requests to put down birds that have nothing wrong with them other than being too much trouble or no longer wanted. Thank goodness she refuses such requests but I'm told she's in the minority. What I'm saying is be ready, be really ready before you make this leap. Give yourself time for the infatuation you experienced to settle in and see if it's something you're ready to change your entire life for. The rewards & blessings of having such a wonderfully loving little creature in your life can't be measured but too many people don't take the time & effort to see what they're getting into before it's too late. Then I get called and have to try to undo as much of the damage as possible in hopes that a loving home who understands what ownership really means can be found before it's too late. Insanity from neglect can't be cured, it's permanent and one of the saddest things I've ever experienced. If you're willing to completely change your life, the joy & love you'll experience over the next 25-30 years will be immeasurable. If you're not ready & willing to make such changes, think of the poor, little baby you'll be dooming to go from home to home, family to family - if it survives. The pain & confusion I feel every time I walk into our rescue aviary is sometimes more than I can bear. I can literally feel the loss, homesickness & mental anguish of all those sensitive, intelligent little beings - thinking "what did I do? I used to be loved, had a good home & interesting life and one day they left me and didn't come back!" "Where is the flock that I used to be part of, that loved me & cared for me all my little life?".
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| I know you could not possibly know how I am, because over the internet no one ever knows. But I have had a life time of experience with horses and dogs. I use to show, breed and train horses. And I use to breed dogs, (to Champion sires, via AI). now I have pet dogs only, 3 Italian Greyhounds, two are on meds for the rest of their lives, one had to have surgery on both her hind legs, so we had the surgery done. I have one retired horse. I am disabled now, from medical problems. I have more time on my hands then I know what to do with, and I needed to have something more then to just sit all day everyday in my house. I am not one for being into "Fads"... especially not with animals. I am not rich, but I do everything in my power for my animals. I hope I will be able to come here, and ask the millions of questions I have about birds. I have absolutely no intention of having more then one bird. But I hope I can do things as right as possibly for the one I have. I did find a baby, and I have her now. I have tried to do my homework. I know bigger is always better for a cage. I looked into many before buying one, I finally found one, 24X24X36 on the inside. I was told it was large enough for a large parrot, (and was I sure I wanted one that big???) but I made sure the bar spacing was okay for a sun conure, and bought it. I wouldn't buy another one very close to the one I got, because it seemed flimsy, and I was afraid it wouldn't hold up. This one I have is sturdy, and heavy, and I am quite happy with it, and I think my little "Dixie" is happy with it also. I bought her Zupreem pellet for conures and parrots, and a seed mix... she loves the pellet, and I am told a pellet diet only is best... so perhaps I will be able to get her on pellets only in time...? She has an appointment with an Avian vet for Monday afternoon, and I will ask him/her a ton of questions. I read long before I ever got her, that they are good pets, but only if you can dedicate much time to them. (Lord knows I have more then enough time!) I live in a very rural area, no close neighbors. I rarely go on vacation, but when I do, I have someone come and stay right here at my house to tend my animals. I did a pile of studying before I even though of getting a sunconure, and I am still studying. But I do hope I will be able to come here to ask questions, because I admit, I know nothing about birds, and need advice, and info. On my way to pick up my "Dixie", my husband and I stopped and bought all new cookware, and when we got home we threw out the non-stick cookware. I have every intention of doing things right with Dixie. I intend for her to be here with me for the next 25 years, or however long she lives, good Lord willing, it will be many years. I plan to work on potty training her, and the plan is to be able to leave her cage open, so she can have free time while I am home. (Which is 99% of the time.) She is learning fast, at only three months old, she is beyond my expectations. I do understand, that you are only trying to keep people from making a mistake that will in time hurt the welfare of the bird. Rest assured, I have tried to prepare myself as much as possible for this, and I am in it for life. I still have tons of questions. Darcy
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Im not sure what you've read on the internet but, Suns are only friendly to 1 person and then still, depending on their mood will bite. Did you know they are the loudest of the entire Parrot Species? So if you have close neighbors, not a good idea. I think a weaned bird is safe, however if you don't have the time to tame it & work with it for years then (high demand sun are), don't buy it! Because, it will end up being a breeder if you don't have the time.And Sun breeders are hard to sell because they can be super mean, especially around breeding season!! Now if you buy a older Sun (if you can find one tame), know the history! Suggestion just based on your questions, go to the library and do some real homework! Good Luck
P.S. I've been breeding the Suns for 12 years..
Kris
 
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Have you ever heard an Umbrella Cockatoo cut loose? Ive heard suns and too's...I would have to say the too's have a sun beat on how loud they can throw their "voice".
Stacy Shue
Blake Aviary
www.blakeaviary.com
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Research, Research! Of course I have a Cockatoo & Macaw, it is documented Fact the Suns carry the highest decimal pitch out out all Parrot Species! If anyone needs deep, major research (past,present,ongoing),please feel free to ask me. As well as slew of Scientific Studies & Research!!
Kris
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| Pitch... maybe (though Nandays in my oppinion would be just about as high as a Sun) . As far as loudness I would go with Stacy easily and we breed both Suns (as well as other Conures) as well as Toos. We have about a dozen Sun babies weaning now. Thanks, Scott
Come visit us at www.Tangosflock.com
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Small World, Ive been breeding Suns for over 13years as well as Cockatoos & Macaws for over 30 years and Birds of Prey! So, I agree to disagree! Really if you guys are ever interested in Scientific Fact let me know(some find it boring), and I can help you. I think its one thing to say I'm a breeder and I know, I think its another to be able to factually prove and provide Scientific fact to back up your knowledge, don't you? I think as a Breeder you should know your breeds, in complete detail. As well as the endangered lists and the soon to be.But thats just me. Take Care, thanks for chatting with a newbeee
kris
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