Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Give the sun conure toys
• Method 2 of 3: Play with your conure
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent loneliness while you're gone
• Warnings

Sun conures are one of the smallest parakeets, but they have strong personalities. To keep them entertained, sun parakeets need a variety of toys that they can attract, make noise, chew, and tear. In addition, they must be able to spend a lot of time outside their cage. Sun conures are very social, but when you're not around you can prevent them from getting bored by offering them something that makes noise and giving them something to watch. Who knows? Maybe your parakeet will entertain you eventually!

To step

Method 1 of 3: Give the sun conure toys

1. Give them something to chew. Good chew toys will keep your budgie entertained and prevent them from chewing your furniture. A conure should always have a few chews in its cage. Good chew toys include:
   • Wooden blocks, made of balsa or pine wood
   • Pieces of leather and rope
   • Knotted balls
   • Grass mats
   • Wicker baskets
   • Old books and newspapers
   • Fruits and vegetables (such as carrots, celery, lettuce, and apples)
2. Place some toys in front of the paws. Sun conures love to play with their paws. Give them some toys they can grab, spin, or kick on. Good choices for this are wiffle balls, rattles, blocks with holes and small wooden weights.
3. Supply toys that make noise. Sun conures love to make noise. For example, place a bell for them to tug and rattle in their cage. Rattling balls or key rings with tinkling metal toys also provide a lot of fun.
4. Hide treats. Sun conures like to forage. Even when they are happy with their food, they will spend a lot of time looking for treats in their cage. Place some sticks and twigs with leaves in the cage and hide some treats and toys between them, your bird will then have a natural foraging area. To keep them busy, you can also hide treats and toys in:
   • Boxes of cereals
   • Rolled up newspapers
   • A piece of wood with holes in it
   • Egg cartons
   • Branches of the vine or willow
   • Nest balls
   • Small containers filled with birdseed
5. Alternate old and new toys. When your budgie is no longer occupied with his toys, it is time to add new toys. Don't throw the old ones away, but take them out of the cage until your conure no longer finds the new toys interesting either. You can then place the old toys again, your bird will play with them as if they were new toys.
   • If your conure stops playing with a new toy after a day or two, take it out and try again another day.
   • If the toy is dirty or sticky from use, cleaning it can cause your conure to become interested in it again.

Method 2 of 3: Play with your conure

1. Let them fly around the house. Sun conures like to be able to spread their wings every now and then and explore the house. Sometimes they will even come and sit with you. Leave your conure out of its cage for at least an hour every day.
   • Always keep an eye on your conure when he's out of his cage so he doesn't get into trouble!
   • Make sure your home is bird-safe before letting your budgie out of its cage. Close all windows and turn off any fans. There should be no bare electrical wires and keep scented candles out of your bird's reach.
   • Always keep an eye on your bird when there are other pets and children around. If your other pets are aggressive towards small animals, place them in a different room.
2. Let your conure bathe. Sun parakeets love a good bath every few days. Fill a container with water and put your bird in it. Once in the water, the conure will wash itself. If he doesn't, splash the water to encourage him. When it's done, wrap it in a towel and gently pat it dry.
   • You can use plastic bowls or dog food bowls to bathe your budgie. The bowl should be large enough for the budgie to walk around comfortably.
   • If he doesn't want to take a bath, get him out of the water and try again another day.
3. Take your bird for a walk. Going outside can be a lot of fun for your budgie. He has to be on a leash to prevent him from flying away. Put your budgie on a harness and put it on your shoulder while holding the leash. You can also carry it in a bird transport bag.
   • If it's outside for the first time, your bird may be a little nervous. Keep the first time short.
   • Even if your sun parakeet is wing-lame, it can escape outside. Always use a harness with a leash or a transport bag when you go outside.
   • Spend some time on a screened-in patio, if at all possible. This can help your bird get used to being outside and it provides fresh air without the risk of losing your bird.
4. Play peek-a-boo. Sun parakeets, like children, love to play peek-a-boo. Hide your face behind a corner or an object and let your bird come and look for you. Then come out and shout peek a boo!. After a while, your bird may try to hide.
5. Try to throw over. If your bird likes to throw things, throwing over is a fun game. Roll a plastic ball towards your bird, it may pick it up and throw it away. Get the ball back and roll it back to your bird. Keep playing until your bird gets bored.
   • Depending on your bird size, you can use ping pong balls, small cage play balls, golf ball sized rope balls, or other bird play balls.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent loneliness while you're gone

1. Leave the TV or radio on. Noise in the background can help make your bird more comfortable while you are away. For example, put on a nature documentary, classical music or a talk show.
2. Put the cage near a window. Place the cage near a window so that they can see out. Make sure the curtains or blinds are not closed. Your sun parakeet may enjoy watching other birds or people passing by.
   • Keep the amount of heat and sunlight in mind if you place your bird near a window to prevent it from overheating while you are away.
3. Give your bird a friend. Sun conures are generally social birds. They usually enjoy spending their time with another conure, or perhaps another species of parakeet. The birds can keep each other company while you are away.
   • Make sure to choose a bird whose personality is compatible with the bird you already own.

Warnings

• Sun conures are known for their biting behavior. If you've been bitten, get up and walk away. If your bird was out of its cage, put it back in its cage and don't give it attention or treats.