Strange Behaviour

[Marloz]

I have a female cockatiel who can go out her cage, but she jumps on the couch that I sit on and she walks towards me, but when I want to pat her she runs away and climb back in her cage. Why does she do that. I'm confused

 

[Begone]

Strange? She don't want to be pet. I find this behavior pretty correct and not strange at all.
Next time don't touch her and let her investigate you. Don't look at her, but you can talk to her.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

Let her hang out near you without trying to touch her. Many cockatiels never like to be pet, but maybe she will after months or years of being together and developing trust, you never know. You can still have a very strong bond without cuddling.

 

[cassiesdad]

Let her hang out near you without trying to touch her. Many cockatiels never like to be pet, but maybe she will after months or years of being together and developing trust, you never know. You can still have a very strong bond without cuddling.

Agreed.Our three tiels have very different levels of desired human interaction. Igor comes over for scritches when he wants them, then leaves when he's had enough. Sunshine will fly over to anyone with a free hand for scritches, and will remain with that person all day, if you let him.
Mocha thinks humans waste valuable oxygen on Earth..

 

[Catherine89]

I agree with everyone else . My female sunny hates to be touched . She’ll hang out with me but I can’t really touch her . My my male Charlie how ever loves to be touched.

 

[blewin]

Sounds like Buddy most of the time. Her favorite place is on a person, but she only wants the be scritched once in a while.

 

[iamwhoiam]

Callisto likes to come over to me but when I pick her up she complains. I think that's related to her bad foot. Kuiper will come over to me, too, but when I try to pet him he either runs away or tries to bite me. I've had a few cockatiels, though, who always liked to come over to me and be handled and petted. Just depends on the individual bird.
She might not want to be petted or maybe she is just playing a game with you.

 

[blewin]

Callisto likes to come over to me but when I pick her up she complains. I think that's related to her bad foot. Kuiper will come over to me, too, but when I try to pet him he either runs away or tries to bite me. I've had a few cockatiels, though, who always liked to come over to me and be handled and petted. Just depends on the individual bird.
She might not want to be petted or maybe she is just playing a game with you.

You mean like the game, "Let's pretend I want scritches, but I really just want to attack your finger?"

 

[Halo]

She just needs to warm up to you. When's you think it's a good time to pet her. Bring your hand from under her to the top. If your hand goes from top to bottom when trying to pet her, she could feel challenged/threatened. Other than that just give it some time. Try to be around her a lot and sacrifice some of your free time. She will eventually become a great companion

 

[Smbrds]

She's a tease. Some tiels just don't like to be touched. Let her come in terms with things on her own and she may eventually will. There are different ways you can interact with her though and bond without cuddling/petting. Baby doesn't like to be petted but our bond is very strong these days and we have our different ways of interacting with each other. She'll warm up to you on her terms. She's a very pretty bird and sounds like she's a great bird and will come around.

 

[zoo mom]

My Erica will sit on my lap, arm, shoulder etc. for as long as I will let her. But try to touch her and she hisses and lunges.

 

[orphansparrow]

I think thats normal behavior. It's good that she's coming to you, but you might want to continue the slow walk toward trust by just sitting there and letting her inspect you, instead of reaching out to her. I think generally you should let them go at their own pace. I've had Duckie for about 8 or 9 years, but in the beginning it took her about 2 years for her to allow me to touch/pet her. Go slow and you'll see the progress.