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How to Tell If Your Conure Likes You: 12 Vet-Reviewed Signs to Look For

woman with her pet conure

VET APPROVED

Dr. Luqman Javed Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Luqman Javed

Veterinarian, DVM

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Most of us are pretty sure of what it feels like to be liked. We feel comfortable, happy, and maybe even loved. However, it’s not always so easy to tell when your conure feels the same way about you.

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 determine whether your conure is happy with the treatment it’s receiving at home, look for these 12 telltale signs that your conure loves you!

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The 12 Signs Your Conure Likes You

1. They Will Get Close and Personal With You

Conures usually sit next to their owners 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.

If they are incredibly happy, they might perch on your shoulders.

Aratinga solstitialis -pet on shoulder-8a
Aratinga solstitialis -pet on shoulder-8a (Image Credit: turtlemom4bacon, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 2.0 Generic)

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, it’s a 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 learn to speak, 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.

YouTube video

3. They Will Not Try to Escape

When a conure is comfortable in their surroundings, they’re less likely to want to leave. If they are comfortable with their relationship with their owner, they may even sleep in the same room as them.

If you see your bird flying around wildly and trying to find a way out (especially when you approach them); however, they might not be comfortable for some reason. Most often, these signs mean something is wrong in the home.

Conure Bird with Toy
Image Credit: Linda Bestwick, Shutterstock

4. They Will Be Interested in You

If your conure is interested in what you are doing, it’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 objects with their beak.

Jenday Conure Side view
Image credit: Paul Atkinson, Shutterstock

6. They Will Do a “Happy Dance”

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. They may also ruffle their feathers up while dancing for you. This is often accompanied with hops and other antics.


7. They Will Allow You to Pet Them

Conures that are comfortable with your presence will enjoy being cuddled and pet by you. However, as with all parrots, you should only pet your conure on their face and head. Petting them elsewhere on their body can result in you inadvertently stimulating your pet, which can then lead to behavioral issues.

Green Cheek Conure
Image Credit: bluepaints, Pixabay

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 is often interpreted by us as “giving an offering.” Most people take this as a sign of affection. However, your conure presenting you with a gift might also be their way of wanting to play or interact with you.


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 might also try to groom you, which is another sign of affection.

YouTube video

10. They Will Mimic You

Your conure might mimic you as much as possible. They can be vocal or nonverbal, but the bird will try to act like you in many ways. If they are trying to act like you, take it as a sign of admiration or as a sign of interest if they try to do something you’ve done before.

They might also mimic your sounds, whether 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 can recognize their owner even when they’re out of sight. Their excellent hearing helps them determine 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 sometimes 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 perceived threat.

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!

YouTube video

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Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for a new pet bird 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!


Featured Image Credit: Roylee_photosunday, Shutterstock

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