Males as a rule are more affectionate. But, eclectus are not birds who like scritches usually. They don't preen each other's head feathers so social-preening, aka scritching, is not a normal behavior for them. Ekkies are very sweet but not really physically cuddly birds... if you cuddle a male much at all, he will get even more hormonal and sex-driven than he will be anyway! But, my male is very mellow and handleable. He doesn't enjoy being touched but he tolerates it from me and is not aggressive.