Tori no longer lets me pet him. :(

[Kokihi]

Tori, my GCC, used to let us scratch his head and stroke his wings, but now he will turn and bite when we try to give him scratches. Occasionally, he'll let me stroke his wings, but only once or twice, then he'll decide he's tired of it and get agitated. I know he used to enjoy it, and I don't know what has caused him to decide he didn't like it. =(

Any ideas?

 

[roxynoodle]

Is he molting? If he has a lot of pins it could be that your petting him is irritating him. I have to watch for new ones everyday with my amazon. It is much easier to see one that has just gotten started though on a bird like him who has big head and neck feathers than it is on a conure. I can feel them much easier as well, even when it's just at the very start.

 

[Doris48]

Thats the way my bossy greencheek is.She loves scritches but only when she wants them.Otherwise she will nip me, it doesnt hurt but I make sure to stop if she isnt feeling cuddly.She is usually just to "busy" to bother with cuddles so much anymore.
I think greencheeks are just moody little guys and go through phases.But Im not an expert by any means.

 

[lexx510]

How old is your GCC?

They are usually much more timid and passive as babies. Once they mature, they quickly learn how to exercise their free will. I'd give her some space and work with her on her terms. When she wants to cuddle she will come around. Guava literally forces herself into my hand when she wants to be held or scratched.

It could also be because she's hormonal and undergoing a molt, as others have already mentioned.

I went through this kind of thing with Guava. She went from being a snuggle bug to a little, green biting machine. It was very frustrating. I had to learn to read her body language and respect her space/boundaries. For a while, I refrained from picking her up or petting her. I worked on step up training with her, and reinforced her with treats every time she stepped up. She eventually grew more comfortable with my hands again. She's now back to her old self and loves to snuggle. There are, of course, times or days where I know she prefers to be left alone. I've learned to accept this and give her the space she needs.

 

[roxynoodle]

Yes, he may also be leaving the baby stage and exerting more independence. Some people disagree with me that they go through a "terrible 2s phase", but Rowdy sure seemed to. My other conure though didn't. And I've read enough posts on here from the other conure owners to feel that yes, there is such a phase for many birds. In that case, it's just part of growing up, and something parrot owners need to accept. It's very easy to fall in love with the personality of a baby bird, but nothing stays a baby. So as their guardians we need to accept that and allow them to become adults. Now you know how your parents felt when you turned into a teenager

 

[jewels04]

our sun conure is the same way! Well she really never allows us to pet her, only on her own terms. Yesterday there was a good hour she was cuddled up next to my neck and I was petting and scritching her and she was loving it. Later on in the day I wanted to pet her again and no go she threw a fit. My husband came home and she allowed him to pet her for a little bit but not me.

Now this morning she allowed for a few scritches than she went postal on me for trying. I'm sure in the afternoon when she settles down for her nap she'll want me to love on her again.

 

[Kokihi]

No, he isn't molting. He's almost 3 (hatched 4/20) Which, Roxy, makes me think that maybe you're right! 0.0

Doris, that is definitely true! Tori is a little guy, but he's got enough attitude for 10 conures. lol

 

[roxynoodle]

Maybe he's having his first major hormonal season. He's probably been hormonal at least one previous year, but that may have been his first season and not as bad as this one is. If that is the case some days he may act more aggressive than others.