Well, that's a huge point, socialization. If you pay LOTS of attention to your bird, lavish affection, and train him or her properly to behave, you can overcome alot. :> And I have heard of very sweet cockatiels...just never met them personally.
It's also a very good point about the scritching; I think it's the adjustment between mammals and featheries. Mammals LOVE to be scritched and rubbed around the whithers, back, tummy, and haunches. Most birds I've known would blow a gasket if you went anywhere NEAR their hips, tummy, keel, or even back! (Remind me sometime, though, to tell you the story of the Rough Legged Hawk that absolutely ADORED a rubbing between the drumsticks -- and would nibble your ear in return!)
But the back of their necks, that "special spot"? I've had several birds actively begged to be scritched in there. :)
I hope that someday, you can introduce me to your birds. They sound like a very sweet and well-cared-for bunch.
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It's also a very good point about the scritching; I think it's the adjustment between mammals and featheries. Mammals LOVE to be scritched and rubbed around the whithers, back, tummy, and haunches. Most birds I've known would blow a gasket if you went anywhere NEAR their hips, tummy, keel, or even back! (Remind me sometime, though, to tell you the story of the Rough Legged Hawk that absolutely ADORED a rubbing between the drumsticks -- and would nibble your ear in return!)
But the back of their necks, that "special spot"? I've had several birds actively begged to be scritched in there. :)
I hope that someday, you can introduce me to your birds. They sound like a very sweet and well-cared-for bunch.