Bird doesn't like scratches or cuddles??

Hello, I thought I'd com back for another silly question of mine. I have a (about) 15-week old sun conure. I've heard from many places that these types of birds lI've cuddles and scratches. Mine, however, seems to resist any of these. Whenever I try to scratch his head he turns around and puts his beak on my finger. He puts no pressure though, which confuses me. Once I'm able to actually scratch him, he fluffs right up! But it only lasts 1-2 seconds before he turns around and beaks me or tries to walk away. I've had him for about 3 weeks now and he's very used to me and has perfected stepping up/down.

Any advice? He could just be a bird who doesn't like scratches, but the urge to pet and cuddle him us so strong!

I feel your pain! I am crazy jealous of all the owners out there who's amazons stick their little heads and necks out for scritches, but my boy reacts as though you're trying to kill him if you try to pet him. I just accept him for who he is, focus on the amazing things he does do and try not to worry too much what other birds like that he doesn't Still, it's pretty hard to resist him, he's so cute and soft looking. It's taken many years to earn the trust, but he will now allow me to gently kiss the top of his head and his back, but I don't ever think he's going to let me pet him with my hands.

Haha same here. Harley my 4 mth old Eclectus will actually let me pet/scratch his head more than Valentine my Galah cockatoo will. Yet the vet scratches Val's head and the drinker seemed to love it! I'm not giving up I do what he tolerates. Maybe one day. Also funny, Valentine will SAY "scratch scratch" but doesn't mean he is wanting it lol

I'm glad you are listening to his cues! It could be something he grows out of, but maybe not.

Conures are typically cuddly but each bird is unique. My gcc Titan is NOT snugly at all. She is very hands off despite stereotypes.


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Thanks all! I figured he might just be not fond of scratches or cuddles or maybe he'll just grow out of it. So far though he's been awesome and the most personabe bird ever! For now I'll just have to stick to training and loving his handsome looks! Speaking of which, and I know this post has nothing to do with this, but keeping in mind that he's about 14 weeks old when about will he begin his first molt? I'd really like to know so I can prepare for the amount of feathers

My JoJo looks at me and does a 'HEY DUDE, BACK-OFF!" Wife's Bongo goes into a trance and his eyes roll up into his head!
JoJo is cuddly right after a bath. He does love having his beak rubbed though!

Salty likes his scratches when he likes them otherwise he just walks away. But when wants one, man, he leans in so much I think I must be pulling feathers out, but he just leans in more. Likes a good neck massage too. Go figure.

I feel everyone's pain here. When Griffin my Ruppell's Parrot was a youngster he'd let me cuddle his whole body. Those of you who have felt a gray Poicephalus (even more so than the green ones) know they're about the softest parrots out there. The only bird I've felt just as soft was a Rose Breasted Too (Galah).

It's even worse when you USED TO cuddle them and know what he feels like! So now it's torturous that he's grown up and is strictly hands off. He'd for sure use the strong sharp instrument on the end of his face to draw blood if I dare try to pet him. On a rare day he'll let me touch his forehead with one finger for about 1 second.

Robin, my other Poi (Red Bellied) I'm super lucky with. He's as cuddly as a cockatoo but way more independent when I need him to be. He's pretty much the perfect parrot. I can hold him in any way, touch and kiss him literally everywhere, I can bury my face under his wings and it doesn't cause any hormonal or behavioral problems ever. He is so super soft I can barely stand it lol. I know Griffin is just as soft, and he's incredibly cute, but I know he'll never be like Robin. I'm hoping over the years he will at least let me pet the nape of his neck, but that might be pushing it. Griffin has a real wild and nervous streak in him that is very different from his "cousin" Poicephalus Robin.