Bird Petting

[thelonelysnake]

I've gotten a lot of mixed answers to this. Female birds shouldn't be petted below the head because it can be sexually stimluating which can lead to frustration but does this apply to males as well? Specifically male CAGs? And if it is a problem for the boys, what if its accidental or say the bird is losing balance and you put a hand in his back to help him steady himself or you've got to hold him on his back (the way Michael demonstrates in his videos) to trim his nails or check his wings? Is there anyway to correct it if you accidentally stimulate them? Some people say it dowsnt apply to boys but I've also been told that boys are just as bad as girls (I've gotten mixed reviews from parrot owners and workers at pets stores). Any help is appreciated!

[Wolf]

Very good question. I don't know the answer for sure but I do believe that it applies to both genders. I would also think that this would only be a problem during breeding season. I do not think that it creates that big of a problem anyway, if it is just an occasional thing such as you mention.

[Pajarita]

There are only two birds of mine that I touch anywhere else but on their head, nape, cheeks, neck and feet: my female Senegal and my male Lesser Sulfur too. I tickle them under their wings. But I never do it during breeding season.

The thing with touching their abdomen, vent area and back is that, in nature, you never see a bird touching another one in those places so, as far as I am concerned, if they don't do it in the wild, it's a no-no in captivity. But I don't think that an accidental touch or one needed for some type of procedure will arouse them. It's the constant doing it that does it.