Parrot Behavior: How to Pet a ParrotWhen the hand is presented for parrot behavior training, a tame parrot will step up on it. A "teddy bear bird" will fluff its neck feathers and tuck its head under or against the hand for petting. What a joy it is when your bird nuzzles its head under your finger for the first time! When introducing a parrot to the joys of petting, the bird's enjoyment of the process is the most important factor, so obvious domination techniques usually don't work well; in fact, they might do more harm than good. Some "force" is involved, but it is gentle, subtle—more like a dance or mutual seduction. The bird is introduced to a gradually increasing level of pleasure that overcomes its natural aversion to physical contact with humans. Parrot Behavior Practice: Teaching a reluctant bird to enjoy touching requires a practiced, accomplished bird petter versed in avian pleasure techniques. These are acquired skills that can be learned by petting birds that already enjoy human touch. Tame Moluccan and umbrella cockatoos are commonly "teddy bear" birds and willing participants in petting practice. Usually, most parrots do not naturally enjoy petting in the directions feathers grow. Not only does it offer little sensation, but the feeling it affords replicates their "wary" expression (the holding of feathers smoothly against the body). Most hookbills prefer petting gently across or against the direction of feather growth. To understand how this feels, run your hand along the surface of your hair in the direction of growth. Then insert fingers under your hair and gently caress both across the direction of growth and against the direction of growth. Which is more pleasing? It is not important to touch the skin using this parrot behavior method. Since feather shafts are rigid, it is necessary only to move feathers in the appropriate direction to induce pleasure; this can be done with the breath. Even if a bird likes a little skin contact, move from place to place to avoid irritation. Blood feathers or pin feathers (the ones that still have a blood supply) must be petted gently with or across the feathers. This means that a bird that normally enjoys petting against the feathers may prefer with-the-feather petting during molting. This phenomenon is not to be underestimated. Some birds really like to be petted with the feathers, although many merely tolerate it because it's the only way they get petted at all. The sensitivity of the petter to evaluate the bird's response is most important here. Mary Kaye Buchtel reports that Eclectus parrots, in particular, prefer with-the-feather petting. Most birds react negatively to touching of wing and tail feathers. Also avoid the breast to avoid confusion with the step-up prompt. Almost any other place on the body might be considered an erogenous zone by a typical parrot. Pay special attention to ears, nostrils, eye rings, beak, under the beak, wing pit, the bony ridges along top underside of wings, under the tail, on top of the tail (oil gland), and the neck. Many cockatoos enjoy being gently stroked on the bald spot under their crest. Most birds who enjoy petting like a little squeeze from a hand cupped under the wings and over the back. Be careful with this parrot behavior method, though, because many birds find this sexually stimulating and may develop aggressive tendencies. Learn more at birdtricks.com |
