You know how cats like to be pet on the head and neck, but they don't always like being pet on the tummy? Well, where do birds like to be pet? (Besides the head and neck).
If it matters any, I have a Sun Conure.
2007-01-25 04:12:45 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
Birds are usually all about the head . . .
However, I have a Lemon-Winged Umbrella Cockatoo that loves for me to put my whole hand around her back and under her wings and scratch. She could sit all day and let you do that. She loves it. She likes to crawl inside your shirt and you can pet her anywhere when she's in there.
However, I have two Amazons that head and feet are all you're going to touch, otherwise, expect to be bit and bit hard.
My Congo African Greys love to have their heads, and feet scratched... occasionally, I get a rub in under their wing or belly, but that's pretty rare.
Last but not least, I also have a Lesser Jardin's who loves to be petted just about anywhere, any how. This guy will even lay on his back and let you scratch his tummy, his head, rub his beak, neck, etc. He's a total clown, and so much fun!!!
I avoid the common areas, such as tail & lower back. Those are vulnerable areas for birds, and I believe instinct for them says, "NO".
You will just have to work with your bird and let it determine what's ok and what's not with you.
Good luck!
.
2007-01-25 06:23:44 · answer #1 · answered by ruby_jazmin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's best you pet the head and the neck only because anywhere else is considered sexual, as it's the way a mate would stimulate the bird. If you are stimulating your bird, it could put it into breeding mode where, with females, this is much more dangerous due to egg laying and binding, calcium deficiencies, nest building, etc.
However, they should be adjusted to being handled for things such as vet visits. It's easier to examine a cooperative bird to ensure that it's healthy when it's not thrashing and trying to bite and best case scenario, when it doesn't have to be toweled.
And I disagree with the person who said small birds hate being petted on the back and will bite - one of my lovebirds will accept pets and kisses on the back on the rare occasion I do.
2007-01-25 14:39:00 · answer #2 · answered by PinkDagger 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My Half Moon Parrot likes to be pet in the head and neck area and also in the area of feathers just above the beak. He melts in my hands. My little Green Cheeked Conure Parrot loves to be pet every where. And yes, they do get aggressive and frisky with you when you touch them near their inner-winged areas. They both love lots and lots of kisses. However I'd say both of my parrots favorite place to be pet or scratched is in that little feathered area just above the beak, with a finger just ever so lightly!
If the head and neck are a birds favorite place to be pet, why not please your bird! They'll let you know where and when they want to be touched, just follow their body language. Let your bird show you where they want to be touched. Listen to your bird.
2007-01-25 13:45:34 · answer #3 · answered by Lizzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Birds usually like to only be pet on the head and neck. My Amazon will let you pet his belly, but only for a short while and then he let's you know he's had enough.
Generally birds don't like to be pet on their back, and watch out if you pet under their wings b/c they can become sexually aroused and aggressive.
2007-01-25 12:20:00 · answer #4 · answered by Nicole N 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the bird really.....my mon had birds that liked to be petted everywhere and some that only liked their head petted......its just trying to see what they like. cockateils usually only like their head and neck scratched or petted.......but I have noticed that some bigger birds like to be lightly scratched in their arm pits so to speak. Just try different things and they will let you know if they dont like it I'm sure.....lol
2007-01-25 12:20:25 · answer #5 · answered by Belou_Eyes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the bird and how it was brought up and his/her personality. There's birds who don't like to be petted at all. My Orange Winged Amazon loves his head to be scratched and doesn't mind me kissing his tummy, grabbing his legs ("Awww chubby legs, baby!") and even scritching him on his wingpits. My Caique is more fussy, he loves to be held and caressed everywhere when I first take him out of his cage, but then this little clown just gets too hyper and impatient and will bite me softly if I try to touch him too much. My Blue Pionus is more mellow and he just LOVES his head scratched and being caressed all over. My Greycheeks are the same, they love kisses, they relax and just let me ravish them with love and kisses. So - it depends on the bird and on how you have accustomed them to being petted.
Magoo (my Caique's name)
2007-01-25 12:28:02 · answer #6 · answered by Magoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does matter what bird you have b/c of its size. your bird would probably like strokes on the belly, but do NOT pet its back. only really huge birds like that. if you try it with your bird, almost 100% guaranteed you'll be bitten.
2007-01-25 13:14:50 · answer #7 · answered by jilly babe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know my parakeet likes his belly petted.
2007-01-25 12:18:48 · answer #8 · answered by Feathery 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
some don't like it, but most that like it like there heads scratched
2007-01-25 14:09:43 · answer #9 · answered by jackwalz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
totya_libra
2007-01-25 12:22:34 · answer #10 · answered by totya_libra 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋