👪 Taming, tricks and the family
A conure picks a person. This is how the rest of the household becomes worth landing on, and how to read the bird before it bites.
A care guide, not veterinary advice. It describes what healthy looks like and what it does not. If your bird is unwell, call an avian vet — do not wait for an answer here. Why this matters more than it sounds.
10 Taming & training
Target → step-up · nippiness
The goal: a socialized, confident bird. All methods = positive reinforcement. Never punishment or yelling.
Step 1 — Settling in (~5 days)
Don't touch him. Slow movements, calm voice. When he's relaxed around you, move on.
Step 2 — Treats from the hand
Treat through the bars, then from an open palm. Let him come at his own pace.
Step 3 — Target training
A wooden stick near the beak; when he touches it → mark + reward. The target is the foundation of every trick.
Step 4 — Step-up
Finger against the belly + the word “up” → when he steps up, mark + reward. Don't force it.
The “zero reaction” technique: don't react dramatically, keep your hand steady. A dramatic reaction teaches him biting is fun.
11 Tricks (basic & advanced)
Wave, turn, recall · on the back · fallback
Once step-up is solid. All by luring, marking and rewarding each step. Start with just one.
Basic tricks
- Wave (“bye”): he lifts a foot, you pull the finger back → mark with “bye”.
- Turn around (“spin”): reward around the body; 180°, then 360°.
- Recall (“come”): always the same word = “contact call”. Handy if he escapes.
On the back in your palm (advanced)
The most vulnerable position → 100% about trust. Small steps. Some birds never accept it — don't force it.
Don't push (a forced session erodes trust). Lower the bar. The bird sets the pace, not the calendar.
12 Family & body language
Anti one-person bird · “pinned” eyes
Conures pick a single “partner” and get jealous of the rest. The goal: the bird sees every family member as a source of good things.
Golden rule — who gives what
The brother does the “hard work” (target, step-up). Everyone else gives the BEST treats. That way their arrival = something amazing.
Code of conduct
No sudden movements above the head (mimics a predator). No fingers through the bars (territory). Approach at his level.
- “Pinned” eyes (pupils dilating/contracting fast) = a bite is imminent.
- Fanned tail, open beak + hissing, feathers suddenly flat.
Give him space. Biting comes from stress/fear/jealousy — not spite.
Beak grinding (contentment), one foot up, preening in your presence.
The rest of the care guide
The rest of the reference
The same guide, offline and with your place kept
The LunarKiri app carries these chapters with a read marker on each one, adds weight tracking, a daily routine and first aid, and works with no network.