Just a quick question...I have a lovely little budgie that I have had since January. He is very tame, will fly to you when you call him and will sit happily on your finger, shoulder or head! He only needs you to put your finger near him and say "up" and he climbs straight on. He is also very happy entertaining himself.

 

He used to love getting scratches on his head and would come to you for them, but about 2 months ago he flies away everytime I put my finger up to give him a srcatch. He is still very happy around myself and my partner but just all of a sudden doesn't like scratches.

 

I can't work out why the sudden change. Could this just be him getting older and more independent? It's not a problem but i just wondered if there was a reason.

 

Thanks

Is he going through molt? If he is it might be the reason, some of my guys HATE being touched around the head while they are going through Molt.

I don't think he is. Because it has been about 2 or 3 months now.

maybe he was going through a moult when he was scratched last time and it hurt, and he has learnt from that. If he had pin fathers coming through, and he got a scratch on them, it would hurt. pain is an excellent method of learning something is bad and remembering it, for all of God's creatures, us included. Not nice, nto good, but we all remember pain.

That could be why. I'm not sure if he had those feathers when he last came over for a scratch but it would certainly explain the sudden change.

 

I feel bad now, I didn't mean to hurt him He hopefully knows that i didn't hurt him delibrately because he still comes when he is called.

 

I will remember that, I didn't realise those feathers hurt. Thanks

mabye he has got more confident to stand up to you?

Don't feel bad, you were not to know. Since he still comes, it shows he still loves you!!!!!!

mabye he has got more confident to stand up to you?

I don't force him to do anything. He used to fly over and rub his head against my finger, so i would scratch him.He is very independent and will fly away if he wants to. He has a play gym on one side of the room and his cage on the other that is always open and he comes and goes as he pleases.

Don't feel bad, you were not to know. Since he still comes, it shows he still loves you!!!!!!

Good because he is my first and only pet and I love him too He gets a bit spoilt and lots of attention. I am a bit worried if he goes through the terrible 2's like kids do hehehe The spoilt ones are always the worst!

Those cheeky pin feathers are the most sensitive in the back of the neck and on flights. Perhaps just gently encourage neck scratches again by giving him a treat and a scratch at the same time - he should come around again when he realises its not painful.

How old his he?????

I find when they are younger they do let you do more scratching with them and then some grow out of it some don't, Merlin liked it but he won't let me do it at all anymore. You can continue to work with it or just accept it, that is what I had to do with Merlin because it was more stressful on him.

Thanks for all your help and ideas

 

I will probably just let him be, it is not a problem that he doesn't like scratches, i was just curious to see if there might be a reason why and to learn more about him. As i said earlier he is my first pet and i want to ask questions and learn as much as i can about him so i can give him a happy life :parrot:

Thanks for all your help and ideas

 

I will probably just let him be, it is not a problem that he doesn't like scratches, i was just curious to see if there might be a reason why and to learn more about him. As i said earlier he is my first pet and i want to ask questions and learn as much as i can about him so i can give him a happy life :parrot:

 

best way to learn is to ask more exprienced people questions. When it comes to pets, trial and error really does suck.

I have a bird who isnt a budgie, but when we first got her as a baby, she loved to be scratched and cuddled. Now she really prefers not to be scratched, she will allow it begrudgingly, and like Elly said, I have to wonder if some birds grow out of it and just dont enjoy it anymore.