Cuddly Bird(s)

[Deueller]

So, As I have done more and more research I have found that most birds aren't truly cuddly. So my questions is simple, I know that 'toos are cuddly. But between GCCs and Pionus, which tend to be more cuddly and affectionate?

 

[wenz2712]

I would say that Pionus are more cuddly, especially the Blue Crown.

 

[sonja]

Cockatoos are cuddly.....right up until that moment when they're not. Then look out!!

 

[Birdlover11]

Pionus, they are snugglers !

 

[michael_cb_125]

I guess I got very lucky with my Female SI Eclectus. She is a cuddle bug to the point of it sometimes being irritating. She even wants to ride in my jacket like a pouch with her head poking out. She loves evenings cause she gets lo lay in bed with us for a little while. She will nest is my armpit, and flip on her back begging to be rubbed.

I know that all birds are different, but is there anything in particular that we do to induce this affectionate behavior?


~Michael

 

[Boogie]

My male eclectus is quite cuddly, rolls on his back often begging for a tummy tickle

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Goffins are very cuddly(galahs not so much), I've never interacted with a pionus before so have no opnion

Every single conure I've met has been cuddly.

 

[Pedro]

I think any bird can be a cuddly bug when young. I have young alexandrines that will lay on their backs for me. IMO it all depends on the handler & the amount of trust you have with your parrot.

 

[Al_96789]

I've had Carla, a Bronze Wing Pi, since Feb 2011. She's a rescue and now 17 years old. She loves being on my shoulder and is extremely loving, but I wouldn't call her cuddly.

 

[FineFeatheredFriend]

Sun Conures are cuddle bugs and very soon I will found if Blue Crowns are as well since that will be my next bird.

 

[Thingamagigs]

The cuddliest birds I have ever owned have been the GCC. They scoot around all over me and snuggle right into my neck and would be happy to sleep there all day long. If they can find a way, they will be in your shirt or hair or in your pockets. Too close is not in the GCC vocabulary. They would try to be under your skin if they could LOL Even at about 6 years old Kermit was still a huge snuggle bug.

My Galah was very cuddly as well and so were my lorikeets. All would love snuggles and head scratches. When my Galah felt like it, he would snuggle right into me or burrow into my clothes.

I recommend GCC for something thats reliably cuddly. Even my male who is very very reserved will not pass up a snuggle. My GCC will let me pick them up over their wings without argument and Colada allows me to turn her on her back. They both roll over on my chest or lap for belly scratches/tickles. Colada frequently falls asleep on her back on my shoulder snuggled into my neck (and falls off quite often LOL). I have owned three so far and not one has failed to be cuddly. Beware though, anything cuddly will also be "nippy". It kind of comes with the territory I find. It could be as simple as them grooming you too hard when they are in love snuggle mode. Or it could be that you aren't snuggling/preening them exactly where/when/how they want. Or sometimes they get riled up and want to wrestle. Human skin isn't protected by feathers so what they may think is acceptable often isnt.

 

[Customcasket]

I've never had any experience with cuddly birds other than my conures and budgies. As I type this I've got Carlisle snoozing down the front of my shirt. He loves to be out and snuggling with me. My ex's GCC is extremely cuddly and loves belly rubs. My dusky is a cuddle bug too, but less so than my sun and ex's GCC. My one budgie is cuddly, but he's so tiny (smaller than normal budgies) that he's easy to forget he's on you.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'm afraid that this is a tough question since each bird is an individual. What may start out as THE cuddliest, lovable baby in the whole wild world, may not stay that way as the bird matures.

As an Amazon and Mac parront, one of my 'zons certainly believes she's a permanent attachment to my wardrobe - my Yellow Nape Hunter. She is now 13, and as cuddly as can be. I literally have to pry her off me. Absolutely NOT the norm, just an example how different birds can be.