Most of us are pretty sure of what it feels like to be liked. We feel comfortable, happy, and maybe even loved. But for birds? It’s not always so easy to tell when they’re feeling the same way about you.
If you think that raising a conure is as simple as scratching its head, then you need this article. The truth is much more complicated and will give any potential owner pause before deciding to adopt or buy one of these birds.
Conures are known for their outgoing personalities and their ability to talk. They make excellent pets for any household with children or other pets, but they need to be in a suitable environment for that to happen.
To know if your conure is happy with the treatment it’s receiving at home, keep an eye out for these 12 telltale signs that your conure loves you!
The 12 Signs Your Conure Likes You
1. They Will Get Close and Personal With You
Conures will usually be found sitting or lying next to their owners in this position but will get closer if they love being around them. It makes them feel safe and secure when other people are around, so it’s best not to separate the pair! If your conure spends more time than normal resting on you, that’s a good sign you’re doing something right.
They might perch on your shoulders or flit from head-to-head if they are happy with the entire family. Members of the household will feel how comfortable they are by observing this behavior, and it’s a great reward for showing them kindness.
Like owners, they will also get a chance to cuddle with them at times, usually a “primary” human to the conure.
2. They Will Be More Vocal Around People They Like
Conures are very social birds that enjoy interaction with people. If your conure frequently talks around you, that’s a sure sign they like being in your presence. They might even call your name out or use other sounds to get your attention.
Alternatively, you can teach them to say certain words to make requests like “I want to go out!” or “can I have some food?”. Unfortunately, not all conures are capable of speech, but that shouldn’t stop you from bonding with them. They will still let their affection be known by using other means.
Conures have a wide range of sounds they can make, and it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with them. This will come in handy when you’re trying to resolve behavioral problems down the line. It might take years for you to recognize what every sound means, but in the end, it will strengthen your bond.
3. They Will Not Try to Escape
When a conure is comfortable in its surroundings, it’s less likely to want to leave. They will even sleep in the same room as their owners if they are comfortable with their relationship.
If you see your bird flying around wildly and trying to find a way out, however, they aren’t comfortable for some reason. Most often, these signs mean there is something wrong in the home.
4. They Will Be Interested in You
If your conure is interested in what you are doing, that’s a great sign of affection. They might follow you around the house and climb on top of furniture to join you.
Conures love interacting with their owners because it gives them a chance to play and have fun. However, if they aren’t being talked to or played with, they will get bored and might try to find something else to do.
With that in mind, it’s best not to leave them alone without something fun going on if you can help it. Conures are very social birds and need human companionship even if you’re just sitting around watching TV or relaxing on the couch!
5. They Will Try to Get Your Attention
Whether through singing or talking, conures will do whatever they can to get you to look at them. They want you to notice them and show affection in some form or another, even if that means getting your attention by calling out for it. There are also non-verbal ways to get your attention, such as mimicking what you are doing or banging on things with their beak.
6. They Will Do a “Happy Dance” With You
Conures have a staple dance for their owners to show off when things are going well in their lives. They might even sing while doing this!
It’s common to see them swing their head and tail up, down, and from side to side, as they sing for you. This elicits a feeling of love if you see it from the bird’s point of view. If you see this from your own, it means they are happy with the way things are going, too.
They may also ruffle their feathers up while dancing for you, a sign of love in birds.
They might do these things alone or with their human companions around. It’s important not to make fun of the dance, though, because they will stop doing it all together! It takes time for the bird to get used to showing joy and affection towards its owner.
7. They Will Allow You to Pet Them, Wings and Tails Included!
Birds protect their wings at all costs, so getting an up-close and personal look at them is a big deal. The longer their feathers are being petted, the more they are happy with whatever activity it is that they’re doing! It’s not just the wings you should be looking at, but the tail, too.
Conures can also get used to people touching their faces without getting spooked. This is a big step for them, but it will be easier if they are comfortable with you beforehand.
8. They Will Bring You Gifts
Another common behavior you might see is your conure dropping something on you, like a toy or piece of food. This means they are giving you an offering. You can take this as a sign of affection for the way they treat their other owners.
It’s best to give your bird these gifts back, but don’t feel like you have to do it right away. If they see you’re too generous about taking their things, they’ll stop giving them! You can say thank you and let them know that it was appreciated, though. This will make sure they know how much you appreciate their gifts, even if you don’t take the time to pick them up right away.
9. They Will Give “Kisses”
You can tell your conure loves you by how they kiss you when they greet you. You won’t just be getting a peck on the lips, either! Conures usually lavish their caretakers with plenty of kisses and nibbles. They will want to leave their mark, so be sure not to let that stop you from continuing your day!
They might also try to groom you, which is another sign of affection. As conures get to know you, grooming each other will become a regular thing for both of you to do.
10. They Will Mimic You
Like how your conure will follow you around, it might mimic you as much as possible. This might be vocal or non-verbal, but the bird will try to act like you in many ways. Take it as a sign of admiration if they are trying to act like you or as a sign of interest if they try to do something you’ve done before.
They might also mimic your sounds, whether it be words or notes from songs. It’s not unusual for them to mimic the pitch and tone of another bird, but mimicking your voice is common if they bond with you quickly.
11. They Will Recognize You From a Distance
Birds can see very well, but they have the ability to recognize their owner even when they’re out of sight. They have excellent peripheral vision and hearing that helps them notice when they’re not alone.
In fact, many conures develop preferences for their caretakers and will come to greet them whenever they hear them approaching. Taking your bird to meet other people can help them become more comfortable with strangers, so don’t be discouraged if they don’t like all your friends at first!
12. They Get Jealous
Conures develop a very close bond with their owners, which means they don’t take well to strangers in the home. They might show aggression toward other birds and people they’re not familiar with, especially if they hear strange voices or see something move that looks like a person.
Your bird may be jealous that you have someone else’s attention because they want your full affection. You can avoid this by giving your bird plenty of attention in the form of one-on-one time with you every day. They’ll develop a bond that lasts through thick and thin, so make sure you’re doing what you can to keep it strong!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been looking for a new pet bird species to add to your family, the conure is an excellent option! They are full of love and have many ways to show it. When you know how your conure reacts when they like something, you can provide the best living environment possible, leading to a long and fruitful friendship.
There’s so much to say about these complex yet fascinating creatures! Be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more info on these one-of-a-kind birds.
- Related Read: Suncheek Conure
Featured Image Credit: Roylee_photosunday, Shutterstock
