My Tame Keet is Being Skittish

User Question
We have had my bird for a couple of weeks. She was from a pet store but was finger trained. However, in the last couple of days she has been acting scared to come to my finger. When I try to pet her head she flys off. She also shakes and looks like she is panting from her mouth. I really love her, but am not sure why shes becoming less tame. Thank you for your help. I love your web site.

Lisa's Answer
Actually most keets don't really like to be 'petted' - that's not a normal bird behavior. Cats and dogs like being petted because their mommy cats and mommy dogs would lick them and nuggle them. But birds don't really nuzzle like that, so there isn't any similar 'petting' fondness built into them. My keets like to be scratched under the chin or whereever feathers are growing in, but they wouldn't like it if I just petted them.

But if your keet used to not mind and now does mind, and is panting, it sounds like something else is wrong. Panting is the same in cats and dogs and humans and birds, it's a sign of heat. Make sure the temperature in the room is nice and even - not too hot, not too cold, no sudden changes or breezes. If the room really does seem OK to you, then it's time to go to a vet and have the vet check for other issues.

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