Tame Budgie Does Not Let You Touch Back Or Head

[OP]

It's very interesting reading this thread. The whole question of touching seems to come down to trust. I can't get near Joey above his feet and under belly. Even in the same flock there is differences as to what is allowed. Fascinating.

[Deleted]

Munchy used to let me touch his beak when I was holding a favourite toy, and I could scritch his cheek feathers by starting with the toy and sneaking a finger in, but he would bite if I tried to get him to step up. Now he doesn't bite when I move a finger to his feet and when he wants to he will let me touch his beak and cheek feathers. He only very rarely lets me scratch the back of his neck, but never the top of his head or anywhere else. Move down to his chest at your own peril.

Fortunately, he just leans away or stakes a slight step away if I try to touch him when he doesn't want it. Sometimes I think he has an understanding that I like touching him, because he will let me for a few moments (approximately the length of time I touch him when he lets me but isn't demanding to be scratched) and then backs away as if to say "That's enough. You've had your fun". Alternatively he just keeps his beak turned towards me.

He only rarely asks for a scratch, normally by giving my nail a bop and a chew when he's on my keyboard. And then he'll keep following my hand around if I try to stop. He's actually not so keen on scratches when he's really prickly, perhaps because I don't know how to remove the wax coating his pin feathers. It tends to result in me hurting him by accidentally poking a tender spot, getting a squeak and a bop from him in protest, and then me feeling bad and a bit reluctant to try again, even though he seems to understand it was an accident and I wasn't trying to hurt him.

In the end, with any budgie as others have said, it all boils down to it being their choice.

[blustersquall]

What a gorgeous fella!

My boy Snow is changeable. Sometimes he'll let me scritch his head, other times it's a no go area. It's always on his terms though, so don't take it personally. Back is just a no go area anyway. The only time I touch it is if I'm doing a weekly check over his body to make sure he's fine all over.