Petting and Parakeets

User Question
Just wanted to say that you have a great site, but I just have one question. Hopefully you can help me out. I've had a parakeet for a few months now, and I've been able to finger train it (WoHooo!!) The only thing is that my bird WON'T let me pet her. Like if I put my finger by her, she'll easily climb right on, but she just doesn't seem to let me pet her. If Do go to to pet her back, she'll make like this squaking sound and move away, even if she is on my finger.

Do you know of any ways that I can get my bird to allow me to pet her?

Lisa's Answer
Most parakeets really don't like to be pet. Cats and dogs grow up with parents who nuzzle and lick them. They associate petting with comfort. But birds don't really do those things. So to a bird, being touched isn't really a calming or gentle sensation. Even birds who court just touch their beaks together.

Many birds enjoy being scratched, under their chins for example, especially when they are growing in new feathers. That is something they understand and would do for themselves with their claws. But parakeets don't really pet themselves or be petted by others, so they don't understand what you're trying to do to them when you are putting your hand near their body.

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