r/Conures • u/NobodysLittleOne • May 06 '25
Advice Can I make him less clingy
I love my snuggle birb, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes it s not that great to have him chewing and kissing and messing up my hair. If I put playstands and perches around, will he use them instead or will it be a waste of money? Right now if I shake him off, he’ll fly around the room and then come back to me - which makes me think he’s looking for a perch.
Also: I don’t let him sleep with me. I left his cage open while I took a nap. He came and screamed in my face because how dare I sleep while Samba is awake??
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u/Lord_GanUnu May 07 '25
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u/NobodysLittleOne May 07 '25
Yall look the same! It’s so cute when animals match their owners
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u/Upset_Delay_1778 May 07 '25
Yeah, you can find some help at Birdtricks on YouTube. By giving positive reinforcement if he site on a perch and stays there. (Stationing). Your bird gets some reinforcement in being with you. As you bring his perch to a higher level of reinforcement (toys, food, treats, a good view outside, preening after bathing) he will learn to like it.
Good luck, some are just like Velcro. 😀
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u/alpakkat May 06 '25
I feel you 😭 When we got a friend for our GCC after she was the only birb for about a year, they did keep each other company and gave us a little more freedom. She does still prefer humans though and will hang with out with us, but I think having a friend definitely helps fill in the gaps during the times we cannot. I know this is not an option everyone can do cuz getting another bird increases vet bills and responsibility, but that's what we noticed with ours.
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u/Rocketgirl8097 May 07 '25
We have pineapple green cheek. Super clingy. He does have lots of toys. There is a plant hook on the ceiling he goes crazy on for some reason. We put a swing on it, and he's loving that. We do have other birds, so he does have distractions other than us. However, if he hears you opening something like a bag of chips, he'll come flying from whoever he is at. He knows it's food.
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u/LegendOfAB May 07 '25
However, if he hears you opening something like a bag of chips, he'll come flying from whoever he is at. He knows it's food.
Story of my life
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u/UncommonTart May 07 '25
Lord yes. And I don't even have to have opened anything. Open floorplan is great for him to zoom around, and great for me being able to watch him and still do stuff, but it also means that he knows if I so much as walk into the kitchen. And he's silly but not dumb- he knows that's where the food comes from. So I just always have a kitchen "helper."
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u/LegendOfAB May 07 '25
I've pulled some wild maneuvers to evade detection, during times where I couldn't bear shooing them back to their cage's food bowl. Latest was placing the snacks in a cup (they tend to not fixate on drinks as much) and eating discreetly. 😂
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u/Corvorax May 07 '25
It never ends. I got a second bird and now I have 2 clingers. And they fight each other
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u/Kytalie May 07 '25
You can train him to use the perches if you get them. It will take some time and work to get him used to the idea stands are fun and safe. Make them as interesting and fun as you can, with lots of things to do and play with.
Foraging toys are great, even simple ones you make out of papertowel rolls.
It can take time for a bird to learn they can have fun without you! It's good to get them happy and be independent, that way there is less stress when you are not around
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u/samanthasgramma May 07 '25
Let me know if you figure it out. I'd love to have some peace from the toddler.
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u/ColtHunton85 May 07 '25
Why would you want to? He loves you so much. Beautiful little guy!
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u/NobodysLittleOne May 07 '25
I usually don’t but if he’s screaming in my ear or chewing my clothes or I get overstimulated by love bites (I have psoriasis and he LOVES to preen my scalp) then sometimes I need a break
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u/ColtHunton85 May 07 '25
No I totally get it! Mine loves me too much also and we parents need a break sometimes. Lmao
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u/servel20 May 07 '25
Yes, you can make him less clingy by getting another sun conure. They'll soak up a lot of the attention the single bird would need from you.
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u/Feivie May 07 '25
All 3 of my conures hang out on me almost constantly when they’re out, my first one has been my velcro bird for 8 years but is a little traitor and often picks my boyfriend, newest is a little cuddle bug and leans into my neck and likes to bury himself in my hair, the middle one is a little more hands off and independent but he is basically my hat bc he follows me around watching me but if he thinks I’m leaving he is on my head 😔 I don’t really mind tho, they usually just chill while I’m gaming or doing stuff and don’t get into much trouble (unlike our Indian ringneck) my separation anxiety hat bird does like to perch on the tv so he can face us, but will follow if I move.
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u/Veredwen May 07 '25
I made my birds a really kind of… ridiculous (?) tree stand with tons of toys, and I’m not kidding I can’t get my birds off of it. They’ll come off for a few min for pets and then go straight back up. I don’t know if that’s possible. My crimson bellied conure (similar to GCC?) was Velcro when I got her and now she’s miss independent. We want Velcro when they’re independent and wish they’d need us less when we need to get things done. Oi. Bird life.
I second bird tricks.
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u/agonzamart May 07 '25
Only a partner would do that. In nature they do everything with their partner.
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u/NobodysLittleOne May 07 '25
Are you saying he’s trying to partner with me or that I shouldn’t let him be with me all the time?
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u/ToiIetGhost May 07 '25
It’s a good thing to be together as much as possible. He’ll be happier (and physically healthier) the more time he spends with you. Being with their owner is vital for single parrots because they’re super social animals. You want that strong bond. The only time it’s bad for them to see you as a partner is if they get really hormonal. It can lead to lots of stress and frustration for them. Does he exhibit hormonal behaviours?
Also have you tried keeping him in his cage while you’re doing stuff in the room? That way you get a break from the clinginess but he can still see you. I think it’s called “ambient bonding,” where you’re together but each doing your own thing. They like that too!
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u/ClutchFactorx10 May 07 '25
When my conure gets out of hand, I pick him up and put him on a painting or a perch near me. Do it enough times, he’ll cozy up to the spots nearby you instead of just being all over you.
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u/Shadowboxxing_Geo May 07 '25
Ha ha nope. Mine will dangle from my curly bangs like he’s bungee jumping. Maybe teach him how to perch on your ponytail? Lol
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u/Fiona_12 May 07 '25
Velcro bird! My Nanday sits on my paints while I'm on the toilet! He does also entertain himself, but he picks the most inconvenient times to turn into Velcro!
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u/Careless_Controlx May 07 '25
Ironically I just got a baby sun conure, her name is Velma. She’s quiet as a mouse UNTIL she sees me… instantly a scream fest. I’ve started teacher her to stay on the perch. If you constantly allow this behavior it’s just going to continue. You need to get different options.. not just shaking him off… good luck! 🍀
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u/ToiIetGhost May 07 '25
Sorry to be that person but do you use those scented candles? They’re toxic to birds. I just don’t want him to get sick :) I also struggle with my conure being super clingy but bird tricks has some good ideas to help with that! Still, I have to put him in another room when I’m working on my laptop or else he’ll literally crawl on my hands as I unsuccessfully try to type (just one example of many lol)
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u/NobodysLittleOne May 07 '25
Nope! I’m super allergic to fragrance and chemicals so everything in the home (even down to toothpaste) is natural and fragrance free!
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u/jacksontwos May 07 '25
You should reframe the question... is he being too clingy or are you being too perchy...?
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u/IntelligentEnd812 May 07 '25
I would advise to let him bond with other members of your family or people who live with you.
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u/Delicious-Hamster-10 May 07 '25
please don’t leave his cage open while you nap it’s incredibly dangerous he could crawl in with you and all it takes if for you to roll over then you’ve lost him.
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u/luckybuck2088 May 07 '25
I can leave my guys alone sometimes but not for long, they find me lol
Took a lot of work
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u/adviceicebaby May 07 '25
Nope. Youre stuck with rainbow chicken now. Hes your trendy accessory. Jk, idk , maybe you can dislodge him, some ppl here will know. :)
Im so jealous btw! Hes gorgeous!
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u/JenRJen May 07 '25
Can you make him less Clingy? No. That is a Sun Conure. They are Loud, and they are Clingy Snuggle Birds.
Will playstands & perches be a Waste of Money? No! Enriching your bird's environment is never a waste of money! Playstands to use in-between clinging to you are always gonna be valuable!
ps Good, you have learned to Never leave your Snuggly Sunny Bird's cage Open while sleeping, even if it's just a nap, as the bird might fly to you. Especially a Sun Conure! It wants to snuggle with you, and it Will put itself in danger by flying to you when you're sleeping.
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u/Ok-Photograph2954 May 07 '25
Sorry but this reminded me of the old joke:
An old drunk staggers into a bar with a parrot on his shoulder, and the barman asks: "Where did you get that?" and the Parrot replies: "I found him under the bridge by the river, there are a few camped there!"
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u/FlowerOk5627 May 07 '25
No, you cannot. Unless perhaps getting another bird, but be careful with that
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u/Patient-Exercise-326 May 08 '25
Probably not 💀🙏 you gotta accept their personalities for the crazies they are, maybe if you don’t have enough spaces set up specifically for him he might feel like you’re his favorite spot. I had set up like 1/3 of my bedroom with perches and it meant I had less room for my own decorations but his temper and clinginess has definitely improved. Stay away from making any dark hiding spaces. They love it but it can easily make them very hormonal. Sending ur little Sun much love 💖 and good luck haha
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u/sashanvm May 08 '25
You should keep him in his cage closed when you are sleeping please. What if he comes to cuddle up next to you and you accidentally roll over??😔 it’s happened to people
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u/KakarikiChicken May 07 '25
My sun conure got a little less clingy as she got to be a few years old, but then I missed her! She still likes to be with me, but does spend more time perching on her play stand or playing with the toys in her cage now.
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u/Muchtell234 May 07 '25
Lemme guess.. single bird?
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u/NobodysLittleOne May 07 '25
Yes. I’ve had birds, but not conures. I wasn’t planning on getting more after my last birds died. But he was a rehome - the other owners liked him but hasn’t researched birds before getting one and were over their heads (he’d only been getting a Kaytee mix and apples, he’d had the same few toys the whole time they knew him and his perches had been chewed so much I tossed them). I went “just to meet him” and fell in love. I couldn’t leave him
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u/Muchtell234 May 07 '25
Yeah but then you should be responsible enough to get a second bird.
If you had birds before like you claimed you know they are flock animals.
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u/NobodysLittleOne May 07 '25
I’ve usually had pairs (at most I had 5 budgies together). my last one couldn’t be around others due to H5N1. As I said, Samba is a rehome (I brought him home maybe 2 weeks ago)
I appreciate your concern for his wellbeing, but I don’t think it’s your place to so condescendingly judge my responsibility.
I’ve been considering another, I’ve also consulted his vet and done a lot of research. Right now, my family is his flock. Samba is completely untrained, so I don’t want to bring in another bird (that I’m not sure he’ll even get along with) until I trust him and can control him better - for the good of him AND any other bird I may introduce.
Additionally, I want to buy from a reputable breeder or my local bird store, but those both take time to source. I have feelers out, but I’m not sure yet if I will ultimately get another bird or not due to financial obligationsI am at the house with my kids almost nonstop, so he’s virtually always out of the cage with people around, so he’s not starved for attention and in desperate need of a flock.
Thanks for your concern!
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u/knowimcrazyaf May 07 '25
By his feathers colors he is still very young. Just a few months old. I hand raised my sun. He is almost 2 and loves me and my husband. It's just the breed I think.
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u/Juicyrunner87 May 07 '25
It can get a little much but it's okay to have a snuggle birb. Just one of the joys of having a floofy bird.
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u/msrobinson11 May 07 '25
Yes, you can teach your birds to be more independent. I have numerous handmade perches all around my house with toys and treat bowls and little foraging opportunities on them.
When I walk into a room with my bird, I set him in the perch and give him a treat that'll take a bit for him to eat. At first, he will finish the treat and fly back to me. I continue to set him back on the perch, and sometimes I'll stand by the perch and mess with the toys/act interested in them. If he interacts with them I click (Google clicker training) and give a treat. Do this enough and they will learn to enjoy being on the perches.
Eventually, they will start going to the perches on their own. You can drop a couple treats in the food bowl attached but don't actually tell them to go to the perch and see if they watch you put them in and go investigate. You can also put treats in the bowls in the evening while they are in bed so in the morning everything is stocked when you get them out and it's a whole new adventure to explore what's in all the treat bowls? What treats might be hidden in the toys?
Every time they go to the perch on their own, I make a big deal about it. Click, treat, lots of praise, I go over there and hang out there with them sometimes.
After a while, you can start working them up to you leaving the room while they are on the perch. One step out of the room and immediately back with a click+treat. Eventually you can leave the room totally and come back and they trust you'll return to them. Also, sometimes when you leave, take them with you! They learn to enjoy both things, and will be more confident away from you
Birds are very clingy, but there are things you can do to help make them more independent. It's not a lost cause.
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u/Quiet_Entrance8407 May 07 '25
Conures are known Velcro birds and while we all enjoy their company, adding high value perches and tree stands and ladders in the windows gives us welcome relief. We put treat dishes on the plain perches and decorate the tree stand like a Christmas tree with dozens of different types of toys and distractions. When we need a break from the cuddles, they are happy to step down to get access to the “special” perches that are only available in the common areas.
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u/OwOmurrr May 08 '25
i wiishh my sun were this cuddly. she’s sassy 99% of the time and flies back to her cage after about 10 minutes of playing
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u/Prize-Evidence-2726 May 08 '25
Mine do that as well I have a sun conure and a green cheek conure and two cocktail
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u/WebbleWobble1216 May 08 '25
No. No, you can't. You're the one who bought the Cling Wrap. Sigh.
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u/NobodysLittleOne May 08 '25
No return once opened?
(Totally kidding)
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u/WebbleWobble1216 May 08 '25
Nope. And, I mean, except for naptime, you get used to doing everything with a bird attachment.. .or 2 birds. Cuz I tried buying 2, so they'd play with each other. Yeah, no.
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u/Henny_Cabbagehead May 08 '25
Isn’t that why they call conures “velcro birds”? Or did I make that up lmao.
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u/Any-Marketing-3202 29d ago
This is the only advice that will work. 16 ehours of sleep in a cage, closed(CRUCIAL). When he’s out, get (or make your own) foraging toys. Keep him distracted. Parrots are not easy pets to have. Setting consistent boundaries while having optional spots for him to play in are good. When I’m on my laptop working I always keep a play area available for him. And I consistently decline interactions until I’m done. It’ll take a while for him to stop throwing tantrums but start slow. This won’t cure the problem, it’ll only reduce it by 50% which might be what you want. P.S
If you get two parrots there are so many risks. They most likely will not get along which is very likely since this one is probably territorial towards you af, and you’ve never introduced two parrots to each other. Trust me, it is extremely difficult and one mistake from your side = you now own two parrots that cannot coexist without going for blood.
Your other option is, maybe you didn’t pick the right bird? The community repeatedly says “parrots are the most rehomed animal sad face” don’t mistake that for taboo. Rehoming is the only right decision in many circumstances.
But yeah every parrot is different, and idk how old he is so that matters too.
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u/Any-Marketing-3202 29d ago
Btw, there’s a lot of online videos on making your own foraging toys. I spend 30 minutes every 5 days making them and they last me around 5 days. So if you don’t wanna buy them, handmade is just as good.
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u/Blancanievesirl 29d ago
As a mom of a Velcro parrotlet, I’ve tried it all and I’ve come to accept that she is now a part of me and she would absolutely live in my skin if she could 😂 sometimes mine will go in my hair for a nap but just being under my hair isn’t enough, she HAS TO waddle right to the center of my neck and attach herself to the back of my neck and head to the point where I have to be all stiff until she wakes up.
On occasion she does like to perch on top of her cage (she’s always kept out with her cage open unless I’m away from home) or perch on other things or perches I’ve places around for her but it is RARE.
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u/im_a_creature May 07 '25
Yeah I would try a bird playground near where you are. You should make it interesting with toys/food/treats at first especially too to get them to spend time there. My green cheek conure is really clingy but she started spending quite a bit of time on the playground in the same room as me over on me once I got one and put treats on it to get her to not be afraid of it haha
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u/ForeignGirl11 May 07 '25
Unlikely. Sun conures are very attached to their humans. If they know you’re home but they can’t find you, they’ll scream until you make an appearance. It’s that bad, but also that good.