I think the tiels really love them. But, they are fussy about how you do it, and they are quick to let you know when you are not doing it right, whether you are another bird or a human.


I first started scritching Silver with the tip of my nose.He was more comfortable with that than my finger. But, then he accepted the finger. Then, he discovered the finger is much better at scritching just the way he wants it, than the nose is. Now, he won't let me use my nose at all. It's sad, because I used to love how he smelled when I scritched him with my nose.

I guess even the bird has learnt you shouldn't stick your nose in other people's (birds) business...

Obi won't let me touch him at all
He likes to fly to my shoulder...
Pace up and down on my plate of food...
But I'm not allowed to touch him....

Emma is like Obi.

Alex is really picky too. Sometimes she doesn't any at all even when she acts like she does. I call this her "no hand only scritch" moments.


Sometimes Lucy and Alex want scritches more when they're in the cage and I stick my finger through the cage bars, then when they're out of the cage. Funny enough because I have rather fat fingers and can't go very far through the bars. Guess they like it better when it's harder for me.

When she DOES want scritches outside of the cage though, she wants no less than all five fingers involved.

Cockatiels are funny when it comes to scritches. I WANT THEM ALL! No don't touch me! Touch my cheeks! NOT LIKE THAT