Head-scratching miracle!

[shaggywillow]

I've had Willow for 13 days now and have been working hard trying to tame/train her.
It's been a real challenge to get her to sit on my finger out of her cage for longer than 10 seconds (work in progress) BUT, amazingly, she has been allowing me to scratch her head and neck area, whether she is in her cage or outside her cage. I feel so privileged to be allowed this intimate act   and I have no clue what has made her trust me in this way so quickly.  Below are videos I took of our scratching session this afternoon:- 





i didn't catch it on video, but she has also allowed me to scratch under/around her beak and eyes, as well as a little bit of her tummy (tho I don't scratch the tummy often).

I love owning a budgie despite the struggles with training! 

[Hezz]

She has a few pin feathers coming through there, so that head rub is definitely appreciated.

Something to remember, as a just in case ..... quite often a new budgie will allow you do to things with them when they are first brought into your home, in those first one or two weeks, but then, once they learn what's what, settle into their new home, cage, routine etc and become more independent they will often not allow you do do the things that you have come to take for granted. Many times we get new owners coming on in that first month asking what they have done wrong ... my budgie hates me, all training is being ignored etc. This is perfectly normal and you will have done anything wrong. It is simply the bird asserting its personality and not being the frightened, timid little thing that first arrived at your house. Willow seems to be a confident little girl from the get-go so you might not go through this, but be warned and be prepared. If it does, go back to the basics and start your training from the beginning.

[Marianne Marlow]

That's so lovely, you are indeed privileged to be allowed to do this.

I have only ever had one bird let me scratch his head in the time I have had budgies.

Sometimes Hector will let me do his with my nose when he's very sleepy but only for a few seconds.

[shaggywillow]

Mar 23, 2018 1:11:50 GMT Hezz said:

She has a few pin feathers coming through there, so that head rub is definitely appreciated.

Something to remember, as a just in case ..... quite often a new budgie will allow you do to things with them when they are first brought into your home, in those first one or two weeks, but then, once they learn what's what, settle into their new home, cage, routine etc and become more independent they will often not allow you do do the things that you have come to take for granted. Many times we get new owners coming on in that first month asking what they have done wrong ... my budgie hates me, all training is being ignored etc. This is perfectly normal and you will have done anything wrong. It is simply the bird asserting its personality and not being the frightened, timid little thing that first arrived at your house. Willow seems to be a confident little girl from the get-go so you might not go through this, but be warned and be prepared. If it does, go back to the basics and start your training from the beginning.

Hezz - "pin feathers" - so that's what they're called! I was referring to them as "feathers in tubes"   Thanks for educating me!

You are absolutely right - Willow is becoming more and more independent and there have been moments today when I began thinking "She is beginning to hate me" because she is spending less and less on my finger and more and more flying (which I don't mind, because it's exercise for her) and more and more perched in front of the mirror. My finger is now, literally, just transportation to her - before now, I enjoyed at least 10 seconds of her on my finger.

Thank you for emphasising that this is normal behaviour from a budgie who is pushing boundaries and discovering her personality. SHE IS CONFIDENT!

The ONE CONSISTENT THING is our mutual enjoyment of head & neck scratching I enjoy it, she enjoys it - sometimes she looks like she is actually asking for a scratch, which is incredible! I'm glad i can read her body language correctly, because it is such a lovely moment when she trusts me to scratch her. 

As as for finger perching, shoulder perching, and flying back to me..... I shall persevere and be patient! 

Thank you again.

[shaggywillow]

Mar 23, 2018 8:54:47 GMT Marianne Marlow said:

That's so lovely, you are indeed privileged to be allowed to do this.

I have only ever had one bird let me scratch his head in the time I have had budgies.

Sometimes Hector will let me do his with my nose when he's very sleepy but only for a few seconds.

Marianne Marlow - wow, really? Then I feel even more privileged. It's one of the very first things Willow has allowed me to do, willingly and consistently. She even has a particular body language that tells me she wants to be scratched. Isn't it amazing? 

[OP]

Treasure that trust that Willow has in you. I would say bond but that is still in the making. Despite what is said about the temperament of hens, the ones that bond well are very lovable. It seems like you have one. Enjoy. She may bite from time to time but that is how they tell you off.