Beak scratches?

[SKOShields]

I've recently discovered that Echo absolutely loves having his beak scratched. He'll rub his beak on my finger to tell me he wants it and when I do his eyes immediately start pinning and he even leans into my finger.
He'll more or less allow me to touch him anywhere, he let's me rub his feet with my thumb while I'm holding him (he seems to enjoy that) I can touch his wings and his stomach/chest and he really doesn't seem to have an issue with any of it. I'm rather surprise at how tame he is, when I took him to the vet he had no problem with her laying him on his back to trim his nails or anything.

I read that rubbing his back can make him see me as a mate, so i dont touch him there. but my question is, is there anywhere else I shouldn't touch him? Like, are the beak scratches ok? I just wanna make sure he isn't loving them too much ya know?

[GlassOnion]

His head is okay to scratch, same with his foot. To be honest, I thought beak rubs were okay.

[SKOShields]

I thought so too, i was just wanting to make sure. I've read the horror stories of birds tho think if their owners as mates and torment everyone else.
But since I posted that I've been looking through the forum and see other ppl talking about beak scratching so I guess it is ok. Now I know what he really likes.

So chest and back is a no-no?

[liz]

Both Rambo and Myrtle like beak rubbies. I scratch heads and chest and wing pits and they love it. Just don't do backs while they are in season or they won't leave your sight.

[SKOShields]

How do I know when he's in season? It's ok otherwise?

[Taylor_07]

Season time for birds is in Spring time, but I would just avoid those places all together.

[cml]

I scratch stitch on his head and neck, that should be okay shouldnt it?

[liz]

Yes. I can even scratch backs if they are not in season. They do like wing pit scratches too.

[SKOShields]

Ok, thanks guys!

[Saerphe]

I usually find that beak rubs are a good way to bond with unfamiliar birds. I like to go play with the birds in the pet stores and if they let me touch their beaks, they'll almost always let scratch their heads eventually.

It usually works for me anyway. I haven't had as much luck with the parrots here as I had at home. I guess I'll just have to visit more often.