What does this mean!?

[OolovebirdiesoO]

I have a Rosella called Rainbow. She is very sweet and not usually vocal unless she doesnt like something (this is when she screeches like a big parrot) or is tweeting softly. She steps up, sits on me, gives kisses and accepts food but does not like being touched.

She is sat on my laptop screen right now whilstI'm doing Assignments for college (she seems to like it up there). She started tweeting so i whistled back and she bowed forward and starting tweeting softly. Then I approached her with my hand and she let me pet her! She let me scratch her head for about 2 minutes and she liked it because she kept closing her eyes and tweeting. This has only happened on 3 other occasions which is how I knew she would let me pet her. The first time was just by chance.

I'm not sure what this means. I'm even questioning if this is some kind of mating behaviour. Now I've thought about I've been saying "She" but Rain could be a "he" I havent had Rainbow tested for gender. Females would spread their wings though right? I've seen my lovebirds mate :l
Maybe rainbow wanted to be preened. Its just so weird. She HATES being touched but she is happy to step up. So why would she let me pet her wherever on rare occasions, she lets me scratch her chest and everything.

Any Ideas?

 

[Remy]

Maybe she is just learning to like you more? A lot of birds like to be preened.

 

[Abigal7]

I think your bird will slowly like and want more head scratches. My green cheek conure will close it's eyes, grind its beak, or acts like she is going to throw up.

 

[MonicaMc]

Sounds like a possible mating thing, since rosellas really aren't known to enjoy petting.

Just because a female lovebird spreads her wings out when she's in the mood doesn't mean another species will. I am not all that familiar with how rosellas mate, but I do know in other species it can be quite different! In cockatiels, males will do the "heart wings" to try and show off for a hen. In conures and macaws, the birds often mate side by side rather than the male mounting the hen. One foot may be on the other bird, but generally they are perched next to each other.


However, being as unfamiliar as I am with rosellas, I can't say for sure.

 

[OolovebirdiesoO]

In the 2 years I've had Rainbow its only happened 4 times. I tried to get a video but I couldnt find my phone. Rainbow bows down and tweets. As for the species breeding behaviours it would be hard to say because I think Rainbow could be a Hybrid (haven't seen a bird that looks like Rain) which would mean it's likely Rain's behaviour is a bit mixed. Rain doesn't even tweet like other Rosellas.

However I'm happy I got to pet her because as MonicaMc said Rosella's aren't known to enjoy petting.

I'll have to try and get some footage of this - its unlikely this will happen anytime soon since it's so rare haha

Thankyou!

 

[Birdlover11]

Maybe she is warming up to you, as she might have approved of you touching her