I'm house-sitting for a friend and with the job comes entertaining a parrot and a cockatiel (among other animals). The parrot is a jerk and tries to bite me when I go to pet him so I left him in his cage. Te cockatiel is real sweet though so I let him out and he is currently in my lap.
I've never had birds like these before (I had finches when I was 6 but I hardly remember that and we never took them out of the cage). How do you pet them? I've been ruffling Oberon's feathers underneath the wings and I guess he likes it (I take this cue from him not biting me).
Is that how you do it or do you do something else?
2006-07-26 05:02:11 · 10 answers · asked by Zoer 5 in Pets ➔ Birds
The owner of these two birds is a science teacher at a middle school and often takes the birds to his classes where they will hang out with the students.
When they are here at home, they are out of their cage for the day and put back in at night. They also usually have their wings clipped but they didn't clip them before they left on vacation. I haven't had a problem with Oberon flying around though.
I was told the parrot prefers females over males and is actually the more friendly one than the cockatiel. They were worried about leaving the cockatiel with me actually....
2006-07-26 05:59:53 · update #1
i have a cockatiel too. you startat the top of thier head and stroke downto the sail. you can also scratch the top of his head and neck. they love this because those are the 2 places they can't clan and scratch.
2006-07-26 06:02:45 · answer #1 · answered by Lauren 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Parrots have different personalities, even those in the same species can differ. Some birds enjoy a head scratch, while others appreciate just sitting close to you. Seldom, do they appreciate any form of restraint. Since parrots are seen as prey in the wild, they don't like a big hand coming down on them from above.
Parrots are not domesticated animals, they are only animals that we have tamed. They do not respond to being thumped on the beak, squirted with a water pistol or any form of corporal punishment. It will only frighten them and make them shy of hands.
If they bite, just say "NO" to them, putting them back in the cage and ignoring them is usually punishment enough. They do enjoy being the center of attention.
2006-07-26 05:22:51 · answer #2 · answered by Free Bird 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, The bird is not a Jerk he is protecting himself, it acctualy come to show how smart he is,,,, He knows your a stranger so he is afraid of you,
or it could be that he s protecting his turf some very friendly birds bite near there cages because they get mad when you touch there house. The owner should of told you everything about the bird. It could be that bird never leaves his cage , that could make him be a biter, it could be alot of things....
I'm curious if the Persond told you to take the tiel out, a bird with its wings un clipped can ask for trouble if you have to start chasing it around the room??
2006-07-26 05:38:25 · answer #3 · answered by jackwalz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My macaw loves to have the back of his neck scratched. I put a toy rope in his cage so he can rub on it. I agree with the hand coming down on top is a bad idea. Some birds like their breast rubbed and others don't. My macaw and conure love for me to scratch under their wings. My conure actually likes to have my hand down on top of him. He starts to go crazy and rubs his beak and head all over the palm of my hand. Also parrots can be attached to only the family or one person in the family. My conure will bite everyone but me. If your going to let cockatiel out I would make sure all fans are off. I would even close off bedroom doors so he has a smaller area to fly around in and for you to catch him in.
2006-07-26 09:00:21 · answer #4 · answered by Lelly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a Quaker parrot that absolutely loved being petted behind her head around the neck area. I would just take my index finger and gently rub it back and forth thru her feathers. This would almost put her to sleep!
2006-07-26 05:08:19 · answer #5 · answered by Shar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every bird is different. Some like to be touched and petted and some just don't. I have two cockatiels who will let me kiss and pick them up but don't like to be touched. Some of my moms cockatiels will let her touch and hold them. She also has a quaker who likes to be held and pet. Cockatiels will hang their heads if they want you to pet them. They like the backs of their necks and their heads lightly stroked. Good luck!
2006-07-26 05:49:02 · answer #6 · answered by *Cara* 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of the birds I have 'pet' liked their heads to be stroked (with the feathers), and like you said, lightly scratching under the wings.
2006-07-26 05:06:24 · answer #7 · answered by wannabebeachbum 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bird don't like you big *** hand on coming down on them the best was is to pet the bird on the belly. and if the parrot keep biteing you flick it on it beek it won't hurt him he will just know that you mean business
2006-07-26 05:08:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
im crying from laughing, i was in the womens health section and i ended up with your question...o god i thought you were talking about something else
2006-07-26 07:03:02 · answer #9 · answered by kntim323 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every bird is different....find out what each one likes, and stick with that
2006-07-26 05:07:59 · answer #10 · answered by ~Autumn R~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋