Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 10/19/2006

Question
Hi, I have a sun conure who we've had for about 3 weeks, he's a really sweet bird, but he only lets me and my husband hold him.  He seemed to be taking to my oldest child the first week or so, but then one day he just despised him.  He was a college graduate's bird before we got him, and he is about three years old.  He's a very sweet, and loving bird, and sits on my shoulder as i'm cleaning the house, etc.  Why is he so tempermental towards my children?
                                                  Donna

Answer
Hi, Donna.  Thanks for posting!

Most parrots tend to bond to one person in the home.  However, this depends on how the bird was socialized as a baby and it's experiences with humans during it's lifetime.  A lot of parrots do not like children.  I think it's because of the fast movements children make around birds, the sound of their voices, and things like this.  Also, if a bird has never been around children, they tend to fear them.  Look at this from a bird's perspective...I think children may confuse some birds.  They are shorter than adults, their voices are different, they act differently, etc.  Birds pick up/notice these types of things.  My children grew up with birds and I noticed differences in how the birds reacted toward them as my kids got older and vice versa.  My grandchildren are very interested in birds and have learned how to act when around them, so the birds are more accepting of them than they were of my children (when my kids were young, we were all learning about birds at the same time).

Also, you've only had this parrot for 3 weeks...give him some time.  S/he probably just needs time to get used to your children and vice versa.

Chrys