Cuddliness and Nipping go hand in hand?

[khaiqha]

Has anyone else noticed that as far as species stereotypes are concerned,the more cuddly species tend to bite more?

GCC, Cockatoos, etc

Where as the "gentle" species aren't known to be cuddly?

Alexandrines, Pionus, Eclectus, etc


I know most birds don't conform to their species stereotypes, but I'm just wondering if there is a link here between willingness for physical contact and using their beaks to get what they want.

 

[Thingamagigs]

Yep I've noticed a link too. The species who cuddle also often play wrestle each other. They are just more physically forward birds, whether its cuddles, wrestling or being happy to tell each other off with a nip That translates to human relationships as well but people don't always understand it, because they are thinking from a human point of view. Macaws seem to bridge the two a little bit, there are probably a few species who are in the grey area in between

You might also notice that the less cuddly species can be read through pinning and slight feather/posture shifts and it all seems slower/calmer/more mellow... where as cuddly birds are more about action and body language, pinning is often impossible to see if it happens at all lol. I think thats why people are so disturbed when their cuddly bird nips/bites especially if its during cuddle times and everything seems fine. Conures (Im thinking GCC here) sometimes turn cuddles into wrestling and get worked up and a nip occurs. Cockatoos sometimes want you to scratch or cuddle them a certain way and when you don't they nip you out of frustration LOL
Cockatoos are also emotional and punish you after the fact... for example Mana has bonded to my partner and when he comes home each afternoon she shows him her displeasure at his absence LOL She cuddles but over preens him and gets bossy.

I love my cuddly birds I'd take the nipping and over-excited play over less bites anyday LOL

 

[henpecked]

I haven't read all of this but first reaction is your wrong. If your being "nipped" you don't know the true meaning of cuddling. My zons who cuddle don't nip,bite or anything like that.Yes new birds who like cuddling will bite to teach you how to respect them, but once you do then the "nipping" ceases.Remember to always leave them wanting more of your attentions instead of them biting to say "I've had enough". You have to be the "big bird' and be a leader, if they're in charge then chaos will result.

 

[Thingamagigs]

I think she meant more or less in the general sense of when someone describes a species as a whole to other interested persons. Thats how I took it anyway. That the most commonly "nippy" birds are also most commonly described as "cuddly" not that all cuddly birds nip and all non cuddly birds dont. I took it to be an overall generalisation, not an absolute.

I think most people describe their birds actions incorrectly anyway, the words "bite" and "nip" are used far too often to describe what might be preening, playing, using their beak to climb etc.

Of course any absolutes with birds will be wrong Their personality varies so much within species alone