What is Normal Jenday Conure Behavior?

Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

Elaine and Mango the Jenday Conure

Dear Mitch & Catherine

I just recently got a Jenday Conure in late October and I named him Mango.

He has his royal blue feathers on his wings and tail but is not too socialized with people.

The breeder advised that he came to her, but the circumstances were unclear.

Stealing a little thunder from Catherine I want to jump in here briefly.

In the world of living organisms, we talk about humans is a single species.

Dog is a single species (Google it)

Conversely is close to 11,000 species of birds and we talk about birds in terms of species, not breeds.

With regards to “scream for no reason”, yep that’s a Conure.

How many conure species are there – click here.

They are noisy.

For the record, every Conure is a parakeet but not every parakeet is a conure.

Back to Elaine and Mango

He is so sweet and will step up on my hand and allow some social interaction but seems to like to hang out in his cage.

I’ve tried to research this breed of conures but was wondering if this was common behavior for this breed.

He is not really a talker but will sometimes scream for no reason.

I’ve read that this breed of conure is noisy but I’m just trying to make him feel safe and secure. Any suggestions?

1/6/2019

Dear Elaine

Is Mango’s cage in the main area of the home, in a social spot but placed against a wall?

Does the door stay open when you are around and thus allows Mango to come out and visit?

If yes, then you are doing good.

Do you have any regular play time together?

If not, start assigning a little time daily to interact with Mango.

He will start to look forward to it and you.

We recently took in a rescue 15-year-old African Ringneck we renamed Keto.

Keto is hand phobic and has a past wing injury so we can’t touch him yet, but he is thrilled to have his bell toys jingled for him.

[videopress PJRCT6fp]

He is in and out of his cage all day, playing with his toys, and flying to visit the budgie aviary or his play stand by the mirror.

Come evening I will grab a lap blanket and his favorite bell toy and lure him onto my lap and we coo and chirp, talk and interact together for 15-20 minutes before his bedtime.

He adores this and if I am late to start this with him he will go over and ring his bell letting me know it is time. Yes, they can tell time.

Find something you can do, take a bird toy and pretend to play with it, make oooh and ahhh sounds, if he is hesitant to come to you, after a bit, just leave the toy out and move away, he may come over to the toy and check it out as it now has value.

You will find your connections.

That he likes to play in his cage is a good thing as you can’t be around to entertain him every minute of the day.

And yes, conures are not considered quiet birds. It is in their nature to communicate verbally.

1/9/2019

Catherine

Thank you for your reply.

Mango is housed in the main area of the living room against one of the walls.

I try to give him play time daily but sometimes my work schedule gets in the way.

When I am off, I just started leaving his door open and he has started to venture out, which surprised me.

He allows me to handle him, rub his head and he even trusts me enough to lay him on his back.

For some reason, his favorite spot is on top of my head preening my hair.

I never had a boy birdie, and my previous experience has been with a female cockatiel named Jewel and a Green cheek conure named CoCo.

I do babysit an African Gray in my home from time to time named Moosie, and Mango seems to like the company.

When I got Mangs from the breeder she advised that he had a birdie friend that she said he probably will call for from to time.

She also advised me that if I needed to return him that she would take him back.

That is not happening as I love him with all of his different characteristics, which make him unique.

I will try to be more diligent to schedule regular play time and interaction with him. It’s funny because he knows when I am home from work and will call out to me.

Thank you again and I will keep you posted on his progress.

Gratefully, Elaine

1/19/2019

Catherine:

Last week, just as I thought I was making progress with Mango, he bit my hand bruising my index finger and middle finger.

I’ve been trying to figure out “what the heck happened to make him so aggressive”.

Our normal morning ritual of filling bowls with water and food is normally peaceful but last Monday, he backed up, put his head down, opened his beak and then lunged at my hand.

I was surprised to see that my fingers were bleeding, and two were swollen from the bite.

The only thing I can think of for his behavior change is that the day before I had to work an excessively long day, since I’m in law enforcement.

I managed to get him to step up on my hand that morning, not backing down to his bad behavior, and kind of gave him the stink eye that this was not acceptable behavior in our flock.

I read a few articles online about why does my bird bite and was advised to not let it become ingrained behavior.

Well, every day since the biting incident, I have carried out our normal morning rituals and hoped that he was just having a bad or moody day as we all have from time to time.

I don’t think Mango likes children or noises since anytime the family comes over with the children, he gets antsy and screams more.

Some articles say that the biting could be hormonal (like a teenager) but I’m not sure with Mango.

I don’t really know how old he is, but when I got him he had all his adult colors and looks to be maybe two.

Any suggestions about the biting and how to let him know that this IS NOT acceptable?

Recovering, Elaine

People are surprised to learn that a Hahns MACAW
is the size of a Sun or Jenday Conure

1/21/2019

Dear Elaine

Just curious, do you have a full spectrum bulb set up above the bird’s cage?

LIGHTING

We have found poor lighting to enhance bad behavior in birds. Everyone knows how good full spectrum lighting helps female birds stop laying eggs and stop being broody.

But males can also react hormonal in our poorly lighted homes.

A full spectrum light with bulb set 6″ above your bird’s cage on a timer set 12 hours on and 12 hours off (figure 8 to 8) will help with their circadian rhythm that affects their moods.

We have seen very good results with our customers birds, both male and female in their moods and aggressive behaviors after awhile under the good lighting.

Here is a link to a lot of our lighting articles on the topic.

The lighting articles are one above the other.

This Economy bulb used in any fixture put as close to the cage top as possible should help.

Please let me know if it helps.

Jan 21 2019

Catherine:

I do not have any spectrum lighting above his cage.

When I go to work, I usually open the blinds letting the sunshine into the living room and on cloudy days I leave the living room light on in the ceiling fan.

When I’m home, I move his cage in front of the sliders in the living room and he loves to look outside.

One of my continual problems does not necessary have to do with Mango, but my father-in-law lives with us and he has Alzheimer’s and will go around the house shutting off the lights. Even when I’m home working in the house, he will shut the lights off.

A couple of times when I left the light on for Mango, I came home to find the light off.

Well, needless to say, I jumped on Amazon and bought a cover for the light switch that stops children from playing with the lights….. so far so good.

I would love to get a full spectrum bulb but is it safe if I’m not home? Or does it get hot? If it will work and I can keep my father-in-law away from turning it off, I’ll try it.

I’ll check out the articles you referenced and keep you posted on his progress.

Thank you Catherine for all your help,

Elaine & Mango

1/21/2019

Okay, yes, the full spectrum lighting should help a lot. The window light is not enough.

Mango should not have such an unusual light pattern. I am sure it will help with his moods.

Birds, all pets do better on a schedule. They know what is going to happen when and are more patient.

They are usually calmer and it sounds like Mango needs the stability of full spectrum light on a timer.

It will be fine, and not be hot.

The economy bulb we offer for $10 will do the trick.

There are brighter, more expensive bulbs but they can be hotter too. Not worth the money.

We have learned a lot over the past few years. Brighter and more expensive don’t make them better.

Yes, get your lighting set up on a timer, tape over the switches so they can’t be turned off.

Make cute signs to post by the switches too. LEAVE LIGHT ON PLEASE.

Please, once you have the light up for a month let me know the progress.

I look forward to hearing the good news.

1/22/2019

Catherine:

Thank you for taking the time to assist and answer my questions about Mango. I will definitely get the light for him and keep you posted on his progress.

Thank you again, Elaine