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Nuzzling then nibbling

XJandOlaf

Checking out the neighborhood
Joined
5/30/21
Messages
1
Hi,
I’m not sure if this is the right thread to post in, but here we go.
I’ve had Olaf, my cockatiel, for around 4 months now. He was around 5 months when I got him, but it’s a bit uncertain since he’d already been rehomed 3 times then.
He’s regularly out and steps onto a stick with a simple “up” command. Recently he’s even had the courage to step onto my finger with a little food bribery.
Since the first time he was out, he’s always preferred climbing all over me, nibbling my hair, clothes and jewellery, as opposed to doing much else.
He’s been getting more and more comfortable, but he’s still scared of my hands.
Which is why I’m confused. He’s started nuzzling me, rubbing his head on my hand, almost like he’s petting or scratching himself. Then he starts suddenly nibbling and making this quiet squawking like sound, before going back to nuzzling me. This happens very frequently now. I try not move my hands too much and don’t react to the nibbling.
Does anyone have an explanation for this behaviour? I haven’t seemed to be able to find any posts on it anywhere B6E1A300-67BE-4010-8A1B-9A88B9A1D32A.jpeg
 

Tiel Feathers

Joyriding the Neighborhood
Avenue Veteran
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Joined
9/15/14
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Location
Quincy,CA
Real Name
Deanna
Does he act upset when he does it? Many times tiels will want scratches and then change their minds like they just got too nervous or you’re not doing what he wants or you’re not doing whatever it is correctly. Maybe he wants scratches but he’s not sure. Can you post a video?
 
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