Cuddly Birds?

Originally, when I thought about getting a bird, I kept saying that I wanted a "cuddly" bird. I really thought I did... But, now I'm thinking... Why is "cuddly" so important?

Some of you may know this, but I had a pet rat that was my pride and joy. She was my favorite pet ever, she went everywhere with me (literally), she knew her name and recalled to it, she was my pal. I loved her so much. As I got to thinking... She wasn't cuddly what-so-ever. (I know rats/parrots, BIG difference, but you know what I mean.) She loved me, she gave me kisses, and she just hung out with me. She shared my food, my time, and played with me. But she never liked to be pet or cuddled. Ever. And I didn't even realize/notice that until I really thought about it.

So, it got me thinking. Why does a cuddly bird matter? Does it matter to you? Is it something that you really enjoy, that sort of defines your relationship with your bird? Or should I widen my horizons (yet again) and maybe think of birds that aren't so cuddly, but still like to hang out?

Opinions?! Thanks... Again! LOL

Personally I think a bird that just likes to hang out with you is easier to live with than a "cuddly" bird. It seems to me that "cuddly" too often translates into "emotionally needy," and those birds just don't do well if life's surprises result in a sudden reduction in cuddle time available (which so often happens to even the best-intentioned of us). Of course, I've not met many parrots who don't like the occasional head scritch (done on their terms). As long as my birds will allow me to handle them gently and give them a good scritiching now and then, I'm content. More importantly, so are they!

Cuddly does not really matter to me. I do like a friendly bird that likes to hang out with me. I love my green cheek , she is so goofy and playful . I love to sit and watch her play and she loves to ride around on my head while I clean house...lol But she does not cuddle , she is way to busy for that ...lol My Grey actually likes to cuddle with me before bedtime , but even if he didn't want to cuddle that would be okay .He has such an awesome personality that being cuddly is just not that important to me : )

my nut loves to just hang out with me and i with her

but if she forever wanted head scritches etc that'll not work, as she just sits on me while i clean house, cooks (thought she does try to steal some at times) and then there are times she all about getting me to preen her pin feathers like now!
she has her moments when she'll be playful, but she's a bit to beaky when she plays

My Kia is very cuddly, but not needy at all. I think it depends on the bird. Ive always made sure she spent enough time by herself in or ontop her cage so she would be able to entertain herself.

Kazi is a cuddler. He loves snuggles, but only about twice a day. Once before his afternoon nap and once before bed. But he does love them. He likes for me to sit in my recliner so he can nap on a boob. If I'm not sitting in my recliner or sitting back far enough in my recliner, he'll crawl around to the front and hang off my shirt, lightly nipping my neck, until I either lay back or relocate. When he wants his cuddles, he wants his freaking cuddles!

But the rest of the time he's an independent little bossy menace! He keeps the cats in line by chasing them around the house and lords over the laundry room where he is certain we would be so happy together if I'd just move in with him.

I wanted a "cuddly" bird, but as of yet...we don't have one. We have 4 cockatiels absolutely none of them like to be touched in anyway...other than step up and hang out on our shoulder...they can preen us...we can not "preen" them! LOL

I've found that I like this...because they are soo happy to hang out with me without being an "annoyance"

Our conure...he's not cuddly so much...occasionally...but he is BUSY! Unlike our tiels who are happy to just hang out on our lap, shouder, hand or arm...to Franklin, we are his human jungle jym and he's always on the move, nibbling, testing, checking, tasting, grabbing, pulling, tugging...and gawwwd help ya, he finds some little skin defect...like a scratch, lump, bump, scab, mole, skin tag...yikes!

He does love his scritches...most of the time...and...actually THAT can be a pain occasionally too....especially if you want to hang with him while you are on the computer, or trying to read a book...let's just say...and he wants his scritches...LOLOL!!!

Actually...can't read a book or be on the computer with Franklin out..because he's bent on destroying the keyboard and shredding the books...Hahahahaha!!

When we first got Franklin, I recommended Green Cheek Conures to anyone who asked. I thought they were the most perfect ever...but after having him a year...I have to say that his personality is definitely NOT for everyone. (It IS for us though...OMG we love love LOVE him) But I can see where some folks would really love our tiels...just super low maintenence and totally content to just be with you doing absolutely nothing.

So is cuddlieness important to me...well I guess not...it's adorable and cute and makes you say.....'awwww...I wish....' but if I ever get it...great...if I don't...no biggie. I love each of our birds for each of their personlities and each is so very special for their individual special gifts they bring to our household.



Toni

Thanks so much to everyone!!

lizard - You made me laugh! Hahaha I love how you worded that. He sounds like a hoot!

Nakiska - Thanks! I see what you mean! LOL. I held a little Cinnamon GCC at the pet store (the one in my avatar) for a good two hours one day. I loved him! He cuddled right up to me and was content with just staying on my shoulder.... Until he saw the treats and toys, then forget about it! Hahaha

Of my 3 birds only my green cheek conure is cuddly and he is more needy then cuddly and as cute as it can be if all 3 of my fids where like him i would go insain. solo my indian ringneck is my baby and he hates to be cuddled he loves to hang out and chat but thats it
i dont think cuddlieness is important at all

I admit I want a bird to cuddle. It doesn't have to LIVE on me-- and I can see how that would be a big problem anyway. I think cuddly but not needy is perfect. Stitch wants physical contact in the evenings-- it's very predictable. He has no interest in hanging out on your shoulder or chest in the morning! We had a black out last night and he was hanging out with me, and was sort of falling asleep nestled under my chin-- it was SO CUTE.

Well, yeah cuddly does matter to me a little. One of my cats is so so cuddly (as in rubs her face against mine, and lays in my lap) My other is cuddly as in loves being pet and next to us. And loves being with us. And my other two arent very cuddly at all except with my sister and dad. But that dosent make me love them any less. But I like pets that atleast like being around you and being pet. Thats the most important thing when it comes to cuddliness.

Then I have my hamsters, which of course arent cuddly at all. They dont like being pet much and dont love being around me. I dont feel nearly as attached to them as I do to my cats but they are still nice to have around.

happycat said:

Well, yeah cuddly does matter to me a little. One of my cats is so so cuddly (as in rubs her face against mine, and lays in my lap) My other is cuddly as in loves being pet and next to us. And loves being with us. And my other two arent very cuddly at all except with my sister and dad. But that dosent make me love them any less. But I like pets that atleast like being around you and being pet. Thats the most important thing when it comes to cuddliness.

Then I have my hamsters, which of course arent cuddly at all. They dont like being pet much and dont love being around me. I dont feel nearly as attached to them as I do to my cats but they are still nice to have around.

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Cuddly is different when talking about cats/dogs and birds. I'm not a fan of cats (no offense), but I have two dogs who are very cuddly and one who is not at all. She's very independent (and she's a Chihuahua, go figure!) and I don't much like that in a dog. I would much rather have a cuddly dog than a not-so cuddly dog. But with birds it's different because I have read from different sources that birds aren't "supposed" to be cuddly. That they aren't wired to be like that. So I was trying to get some opinions on that. Thank you, though!

Well , you haven't heard for the whole "Goffin Group" yet I presume
Yoshi , my Goffin is super cuddly and very independent as well.
The best of both words ! He can entertain himself and he also loves
being with his momma. He will cuddle under my chin , in my arms and
absolutely loves to be folded into your arms and kissed . lolol
But , if you put him back on the cage , he just does his thing , he climbs
around , swings like a monkey or just vegs and watches TV with us.
Or , if he's just goes to,his favorite toy in the whole world a acrylic
butterfly with beads and licks it . Like I said he is the best of both worlds
Rosie , my RB2 , is much less cuddly , enjoys your company , loves head scritches
and being told stories , lol. But there will be no cuddling , she is not that type
of bird. End of Story.
I absolutely want a cuddly bird , I like hands on with my animals , but I can
curb my addiction to just admiring them if I have to

Good luck with your research Jaimmorr

It is good that you are researching things so well Jaimmorr! You are going to be a great parront!!! I think it is good to look into all possibilities and get the parrot that is perfect for you. And it is clear that is what you are doing. My grey is not cuddly at all, but she is so incredible in so many ways. My conures are very cuddly at night. Sometimes in the day they are just too busy. But they are so much fun. My son's Blue fronted Amazon is very cuddly. But only with him. But she too is just an incredible parrot. I think you learn such an appreciation for what each one bring you. And whatever they bring you, IT IS AMAZING!!! I love being a parront. I don't know what I did before I had these babies!!

Being held and cuddled by our mothers as newborns is one of our first pleasant experience in life. Perhaps it's because cuddling is often associated with love, affection, closeness, and intimacy.

lexx510 said:

Being held and cuddled by our mothers as newborns is one of our first pleasant experience in life. Perhaps it's because cuddling is often associated with love, affection, closeness, and intimacy.

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It's part of our human nature . We tend to want to hold , cuddle,
comfort when we feel its called for.

Sometimes it's not the right thing to do at the time , but i feel
it's just a automatic reflex action , lolol.