Sun Conures talking?

Question

I have a Sun Conure, and when I come into the room she will be all excited and move her beak and say "hi" without any voice though. And sometimes, I can actually see her moving her beak and tongue in a manner that looks like she's talking, but once again with no sounds. My mom told me that she said "hi" twice last time, how come she stopped? And will she speak again?

She screeches.. A lot. But when she's happy she makes this little soft purring sounding noises which is so adorable it makes my heart melt. :D

Answer 1

Sun Conure Stats



Scientific Name:  Aratinga solstitialis

Size:  Small, up to 12 inches

Native Region:  South America

Life Expectancy:  up to 30 years

Noise Level:  Moderate to Loud

Talk/Trick Ability:  Fair

Sun Conure Species Profile



Traits:  Recognized for their beautiful plumage, sun conures are also known for their vocalizing. They are intelligent, playful, and are quieter if kept as single pets. Sun conures make good pet birds for a family because of their sociable, upbeat and affectionate personality. They have an adventurous attitude and are quite active. Owners find that sun conures enjoy playing on the floor, making foot toys appropriate for these birds. They entertain themselves by playing in their water bowls or during bathtime. With the ability to pick up words and phrases, sun conures are often described as being inquisitive.

Behavior/Health Concerns:  Sun Conures need plenty of entertainment and interaction. Sun conures are susceptible to feather picking and common psittacine diseases. This pet bird’s diet needs to remain varied in order to keep a healthy pet. In addition to a pellet-based diet, sun conures need fresh fruits, vegetables and whole-grains.

Training your bird at a young age is ideal when compared to re-training or correcting the bad habits of an older bird. Some pet owners can become sidetracked by the freshness of having a new bird and enjoying their cuteness while they’re still baby birds; however, you must remember that in order to set the stage for the future, it is important to socialize your bird, work on good communication, and establish trust at a young age.  Just as human babies need to learn to eat with a spoon and play well with others before they tackle long division, baby birds need to start with the basics. Spend time with your young bird developing trust and teaching the basics of good bird behavior. For example:

Body handling. If you help your baby bird become accustomed to being gently handled now, you will prevent many problems later. For example, gently playing with your bird’s feet and toes will help it tolerate toenail filing. Gently lift its wings, so a trip to the groomer doesn’t become a nightmare later on.

Toweling: Start using the towel as part of your play with your baby bird, gradually working into wrapping your bird up in the towel. When you or your vet need to wrap the bird in the towel for its own safety, the experience will be much less stressful.

Beaking: Baby birds use their beaks to explore, but now is the time to let your bird know that anything beyond gentle nibbles is unacceptable. Frown and tell your bird “No,” and leave it alone for a minute or two, so it associates biting with being put in “time-out.”

Harness: It can take some time before a bird accepts wearing a harness or flight suit, but things will go more smoothly if you start when the bird is young. Once you get your bird into the harness, take it outside, at least briefly, so it learns why the harness is worth the bother. It’s also a good time to try out the carrier. Take short car rides that don’t end at the vet each time, and your bird might look forward to them.

You will begin to notice better communication between you and your baby bird. Working with your bird frequently allows you to become familiar with the body language and preferences of the bird, making it easier to know what your pet wants and how to respond to its actions. By taking time to teach your bird new tricks, you are encouraging desired behavior. Your bird will begin to demonstrate the favorable behavior because it learns it receives your attention then, as opposed to misbehaving. The stimulation training provides your bird is also very important to cater to their intelligence and appease their curiosity.