Trying to pet my male Eclectus

BerryB

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Jan 20, 2018
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Hi everyone I have a question about petting my male eclectus. He is 5 months and counting and seems to really like me. He always steps up and wants to just hang out no problem. But when I’m holding him and I go to pet him with my other hand he squawks and either jumps off or tries to bite. I respect his space so when i try to pet him at different times of the day and his body language says “don’t you dare”I don’t touch him.
So my question is should I STOP attempting to pet him and wait weeks and maybe months and than try to pet him? Or should I continue to try and pet him at least once a day so he gets used to it and eventually let’s me? I’m in no hurry either way. I just don’t want to damage our relationship. I’m a newbie to eclectuses and am just looking for suggestions. He is a happy talkative guy other than if I try to touch him with my free hand. Thanks in advanced for any insights.
 

Anansi

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It sounds as though he's either not quite ready yet to go there in your relationship (lol), or he's not a fan of how you are petting him.

One general rule of thumb is that most ekkies HATE it when you pet them "against the grain". While many other parrots find that sensation enjoyable, to ekkies it can be downright maddening. Why? Because their feathers are configured differently than other parrots. (Which is why their body and head feathers tend to look like fine hairs.)

Other preferences are more specific, as ekkies can be quite particular. Jolly, for instance, enjoys when I run my hand over his head, momentarily covering his eyes as I do so... but only with my right hand. When I try it with my left he is not amused. Lol! He'll usually intercept with his beak and gently push that offensive left hand away!

And while he enjoys being petted, he's only cool with it in intervals. Maybe 10-15 seconds at a time. Whereas Maya enjoys far longer petting sessions... just not on her chest or abdomen. For those? 5 seconds or so at the most.

Basically, you have to pay close attention to their body language. While it's possible he's just not comfortable with petting at all, it's also possible that he's protesting either your approach now, or something you did in the past. So I'd recommend both working on deepening the trust and attempting the approach from different angles. Just make sure to make the process fun for him. Involving treats and such will begin to set up the association in his mind between tasty goodness and being touched and petted by you.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

wrench13

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Everything I've read about Ekkies says they are not touchie feely parrots, or at best the same as Anansi's parrots- with the grain not against and just for little while. If he seems to not want it I would not push the issue. Each parrot is different. Some parrots like under their wings scratched, but Salty hates that, so I stopped trying a long time ago.
 
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BerryB

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Thanks for the advice and insights you guys! Huge help!
 

davefv92c

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Took me a while but i have Max to the point of petting
but he does let me know when to stop. in the morning and every morning
i get him out and he lets me pet his entire back now and yes going with the grain
he will lower his neck to where his beak is on my arm and he loves a light head rubbing
for just about as long as he can get it. he loves hanging upside down from my finger. and he lets me under his wings by playing tickle ,tickle with him. also sits in his cage at times saying tickle,tickle,tickle Max. these guys have funny personality's cause at times he will also try and bite me and hates being put in his cage that's when the bite attempts come. cool birds but it does take a lot of time spent with them im disabled and home all the time so i have the time. if you shoulder him or allow him close to your face i think beak butting in the parrot world is an ok and fun thing for them and i have been given a black eye from a beak butt. 1 small bite when he got caught in my hair one time and i reached for him. so needless to say no shoulders for either of my birds and when im handling them im on my toes and have always avoided bites not to hard to do you just need to understand their body language and see when the lunge is coming distract with the other hand maybe a tap on the beak and a stern no they are smart and do figure it out. have fun they are a blast
 

Owlet

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In my experience and what from people have told me, eclectus parrots aren't the biggest snuggle bugs and a lot prefer to just not be pet. I've had Lincoln for a year now and I'd like to think we've bonded pretty well but he won't let me pet him. Though, I still have a theory he has somewhat of a traumatic past when it comes to hands as he lets me kiss him on his beak, wings, whatever but no hands. bad hands. Keep trying though, just take things slow and at your parrots pace.
 

coopedup

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my boy was extremely hand shy...i could only pet beak and toes for well over a year. Now that he accepts my hands, petting is still a "hey! dont touch my feathers!" experience EXCEPT....at bedtime, after a bunch of treats, under the sheet, lights out...only then can i scritch his head, and he loves it. Those conditions only. his way, or the highway!
 

katie_fleming

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It's all trial and error, and mostly depends on their moods!

Jasper LOVES to cuddle sometimes, but only when he's in the mood. Otherwise he'll push me away. Definitely have to read body language. He's good at letting me know nicely when I'm doing something he doesn't like.
 

AmyMyBlueFront

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And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
It's all trial and error, and mostly depends on their moods!

Jasper LOVES to cuddle sometimes, but only when he's in the mood. Otherwise he'll push me away. Definitely have to read body language. He's good at letting me know nicely when I'm doing something he doesn't like.

I DON'T want to high jack this thread..BUT!! Katie? How IS Jasper doing now with is flipping and tapping?????



Jim
 

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