Learning the Art of Scritches

[kiwiandme]

Kiwi and I have bonded quite a bit (and I got him to eat some egg yesterday, yay!), and while he wasn't at all receptive before, he's gradually gotten to the point where he enjoys scritches sometimes, but it seems I've still got a lot to learn. 

At certain times, I'll offer up my pointed finger to Kiwi, he'll puff up his cheeks, I'll scratch him for about 10 seconds, and then he decides when it's over. He doesn't bite, but just pulls his feathers back in and looks offended, so I know it's time to stop.

Sometimes, though, he will start lightly licking/nibbling my finger while making what I can only describe as the budgie version of cooing. During this time, his feathers will be constantly puffed out. He'll keep this up for several minutes, allowing me to give many more scritches, but then tonight, without warning, he bit my hand so hard he broke skin. 

Before he bit me it seemed like he was enjoying my finger being there, but maybe I misread the situation or his body language? He does make the same noises to his wooden toys when he uses them to scratch his head. 

Any ideas? It seems like I always have some new question. 

[jujubiiird]

Oh how lovely, I wish I could scritch my bud but I darent try it in fear of a bite, not just yet at least.

Im so happy to hear you can scritch him! Where all do you scritch him, just the head and chin/cheeks?

I have read that you shouldn't pet the tummy, under the wing, back &/or tail: because that could make him think you want to mate.

Hope that helps, but maybe someone who can also pet their birds will give better advice.

[Hezz]

Being a teenager, I think. Their moods change like the wind.

[kiwiandme]

Yep, just his cheeks, and if I'm lucky his head!
I always keep away from his belly and back! Although when he puffs up to preen, sneaking in a little belly scritch is super tempting. Haha

He only lets scritches happen about once a day, though. If I try more than that I usually get a little nip!

[samwiseg]

In my limited experience he probably got a bit "too excited" by your scritches he loved it so much it was too much lol! But as Hezz has said, teenagers moods do change but dont worry as it seems you have sussed the situation already!

I can see a really beautiful relationship forming

[kiwiandme]

He did it again tonight, although when he bit me I made a little hissing noise, and I think he realized he hurt me. I tried again and he backed off with the hard bites, but continued letting me scritch him, so that was nice.

[jujubiiird]

Yes, I dont think they realize how hard they bite down sometimes, sounds like you are doing a good job of trying to understand eachother.