I want to give scritches :(

[Ladyeclectic]

I've typed several beginnings for this post but I'll say it outright: I want to give my Sun conure scritches, especially since she's going through her first molt and preening is a nice bonding ritual, but she doesn't like fingers. Well, I can't quite say that: she loves using them as perches and occasional chew toys (usually nails which she feels the need to try and rip off lol) but gets annoyed if they touch her.

Our little GCC is all sweetness and lovins and, despite being very handshy at the beginning, has grown into a total sweetheart we can do just about anything with. The sun, well, we can't even handle her but she loves getting kisses and preening us when she's on our shoulders. She kind of rolls against the sides of our necks like she wants to be preened but won't let us use our fingers to do it.

We've had her for almost 3 months now, she was hatched July 9 this year so is almost 6 months old. We adore her but would love to know ways to handle her. She's only partially clipped; she can get air and likes to fly around. We're going to have her clipped a bit more but is there anything we can do to facilitate the process? She's quite a bit more active than our GCC ever was (is) and VERY different in personality but she's our baby and we want to shower her with lovins.

 

[Von1983]

ello!

Cal is very hit and miss with head scritches and it took a while for her to allow me to preen her pin feathers.

It depends on whether there's something better to do or not, really.....lol! In the beginning, she simply didn't understand what I was trying to do. As always, patience and love are the key to this.

 

[madparrotwoman]

I think it is still early days and trust may still be an issue, perseverance in the key here I feel.

 

[Cowtown]

It will take time and patience just keep talking to her and in time she will let you.

 

[HRH Di]

Jade is the only one of our birdies who allows head scritches pretty much any time. Max has just recently begun to let us touch him and Ruby only wants them when she's in the mood for them, although she's getting better about it.

It's probably just going to take some time. If you told me 3 months ago, that Max - who we've had for over a year - would ever WANT to be petted, I would have laughed.

 

[Crazy4Birds]

Like everyone said, I think time and patience will do the trick. But I will warn you that she may be very cranky if she is molting right now and not quite as cuddly as usual. Nicky has made it very clear that we don't even dare touch his pin feathers. I understand it can be very uncomfortable for them.