Cuddly Joey

[Poicephalus girl]

You can view it here.

It might seem pretty normal, but this is the first time he's really been that cuddly with me, or rather on me.

When I first got him, Joey had a preference for men. He would choose to go to any other men in the room and then, if none were there, he would come and see me. He didn't dislike women as much as Petey does though.

Anyways, over the year and a half I've had him, we've been working on his biting. He's gotten much better. However, I did not trust him enough still to let him on me, not that he really tried. Lately, he's been really good; perching close to me (not on me though) but still withing biting reach if he wanted. But he behaved.

Today, he decided to just come on me. No real warning, one moment he was on a perch, then he was on me. But I figured I'd give it a shot (there's no moving forward without a little risk, right?)

I admit I was a little nervous in the beginning because of where he had perched, I couldn't really see what he was doing. It felt like he was rubbing his beak on my neck (which was confirmed by my boyfriend when I asked him what Joey was doing), but it wasn't in a trying-to-bite-you-way. He then rubbed his head the same way, his way of asking me to scratch it.

He stayed there for a bit. He did not try to bite once.
Progress.
Funny what a little patience and trust building can do...

[dmiller91]

Oh!!!! What a sweetheart! Neither of my two will cuddle like that.

My senegal wants to be with me, but no cuddles! My Meyers loves hubby best, but we've worked into a fine relationship where we talk to each other in the mornings. She loves her wake up conversation.

:)

I agree, progress, while slow, can be made!

[becca623]

Very touching video. I know they are different species but I can't get over how similar his body language and behavior are to Livi's. Livi wouldn't let me touch her for 7 months or so. Then one day she demanded head scritches and flipped over on her back. Pois are great little birds. I think they're underrated. Congrats. You have to feel great.

[Pictaker]

I love this video! Great job in earning Joey's trust. What a sweet boy he is, he just needed the right companion...YOU! =)

Thanks for sharing. I want to take some videos of my sweeties too!

[ilikebirds]

Aw, he is really cute! My meyers snuggles like that. He also gets "sticky-feet", when he wants to be glued to me, I can't get him off. He was pretty nippy for a while there, but hasnt bit me for ages. But he is the beakiest bird I've ever known, always preening me, and touching me with his beak. That was a little hard to get used to. Is a red belly expensive? I love the color!

[Poicephalus girl]

Originally Posted by ilikebirds

Is a red belly expensive? I love the color!

It depends where you live I guess.
I didn't get Joey as a baby. When I bought him, he was about to turn 3, came with his cage (which is worth a lot new), his travel cage (also expensive), a lot of toys, food and treats and plastic containers in which to hold these last things.

I am looking at babies and they normally go for around $550-$650 over here. However, there aren't that many breeders to begin with, or so it seems. Senegals and Meyer's seem more readily available than Red-bellies here.