cuddling

[kasberger]

Hi all,

I was just wondering about cuddling with my amazon....sometimes Jojo he will come down to sit with me and sometimes wants to climb up closer to my face...i am still alittle frightened by this as i have been bitten on the arm few times from him..but he is getting much better...his cage sits right next to my recliner and we visit all the time...his cage is always open...when he sits with me and i am scratching his head or touching his beak he makes these cooing sounds that are so cute. How do i know he wants to cuddle?

 

[oled]

Normaly he will lower the head and then like to be "scrathed". You can never trust a perrot 100% so having him near the face is always a risk

 

[JerseyWendy]

I agree with oled. Be VERY careful having him around your face. You don't know what "may" set him off, and you most certainly do not want a bite from an excited/scared/ticked off Amazon in your face (or anywhere for that matter).

I am very fortunate, both of mine are big on cuddles and snuggles, but they were both babies when I got them, and I do read their body language.

If JoJo is in cuddle mood, put him on your lap and scratch his head, his ears, his neck, around his beak. Will he allow you to touch his belly or back? And I'm sorry if I missed this somewhere, how old is JoJo and boy or girl?

 

[kasberger]

Thank you for the reply.... i was told when i got Jojo that he was male and he was 8, he is still skittish at times... he does allow me to touch his head and back...not his belly...i can rub his beak and he will take my finger in his mouth but not bite...Jojo does not like men so my husband has to be very careful if Jojo is with me or he get very upset and has bitten me before.

 

[JerseyWendy]

AAWW!!! Sounds like you have a GREAT relationship with Jojo. As for him biting you when your husband is around, it is called "misguided" aggression. Amazons are notorious for that, it has happened to me in the past as well. When Jojo is with you/on you and since Jojo can't reach your husband he takes his anger out on the closest victim availabe - you. You will learn quickly to read his body language, and as I said, since he's allowing you to pet him in so many places, I really think you're off to a fantastic start.

 

[kasberger]

Cool i think i am learning his body language....when he becomes really upset his tail feathers will flare and his eyes pin....so i become very careful. I hope as times goes by that he becomes more comfortable with me...i have had him about 6 mons now.

 

[Ladyluck]

They definitely let you know if they're in the mood for cuddles!! Gilly will tell me "Come here" when he wants his head scratched! He tolerates me petting his back but still not his belly....Maybe in time...My 'zon nailed me on my ear the other day, I usually don't let him on my shoulder but I was alone with him. Then the boys came home (he doesn't like my hubby or kids) and he immediately bit my ear Lesson learned!!

 

[henpecked]

Hey kasberger welcome to the forum. If your able to figure out why you got bit, then your well do your way to a good relationship. It's as much about training ourselves as it is about training your bird. You'll know when and under what situations you can trust him. Be aware in the beginning of giving too much attention so that he bites to say "that's enough". Give small amounts of attention (a few seconds) and leave him wanting more of your attention. You set the limits and not him. Those brief moments now will pay huge dividends later when your relationship "matures". Good luck and good questions.

 

[Karigan]

My sennie walks up to me and all but slams her beak into the couch like an axe choping wood and stares... Yeah, it's pretty easy for me