Yes, parakeets can be cuddly and will cuddle whether it be us, a mate of there’s and even other bird species provided a good bond have been built between the two. With that being said parakeets do not cuddle like we do therefore, you would need to approach hugging your little parrot a little differently to other pets. 

Do Parakeets Like To Be Held Or Touched?

This depends on how they grew up and their personality. If for example the parakeet grew up being handled by an individual, as in being held is all they know, a parakeet would be more comfortable.

Holding them earlier will train parakeets to be more accepting of people as they’ll learn people are not looking to cause them any harm. Once that initial comfort is built, a bond will also eventually form ultimately resulting in a parakeet (as well as lovebirds or cockatiels) to more or less accept you as part of the flock.

On the other hand if you purchase an older parakeet, touching a parakeet will be more difficult to do. Chances are they’ll start biting you or simply acting out in fear as not only are you bigger than it, the parakeet could assume your trying to ‘attack it’ so to speak as they’re sacred.

Building bonds with these little parrots is possible, some parakeets may take longer to tame but, as long as you provide enough exposure to your environment, give them plenty of love, affection and time to adjust to their new environment, a build can be built.

Do keep in mind if your keet is in pain, due to a broken bone or wing injury, holding them should be avoided after all, you wouldn’t want to hurt them more.

How Do Parakeets React When You Cuddle Them?

Parakeets can have a multitude of reactions, potentially good but also bad could react. If the parakeet has been exposed to being held and cuddled throughout their infant years, they may immediately accept a cuddle with you or any one else.

This of course isn’t the norm and you would need to tame your parakeet before it’ll be accepting of your touch.

As for the negative reactions, they may include the below:

• Biting – if your little parrot unfamiliar or afraid of you they may bite. This is likely down to the size discrepancies between or if they’re simply not in the mood.
• Running Away – This is quite common to, they’ll try to run, hide or fly away every time you try to hold or pick them up for a cuddle.
• Screeching At You – Other than biting, parakeets can also screech/caw at you if they’re uncomfortable being handled.

On the other hand once that bond is built, you may find your parakeet rubbing it’s little face on you, casually sleeping in your hand, rubbing cheeks with you to showcase their love although the process needed to get here isn’t very easy.

Why Do Parakeets Cuddle?

If a parakeet is comfortable with another, whether a mate, an owner or their kin, they will embrace the other to show their love and affection.

Remember, even though parakeets are social birds it’s not super easy for them to open up. That’s why if they genuinely start cuddling another randomly, it’s because they really trust and want to be around that individual.

Do Parakeets Cuddle Other Animals?

Yes, parakeets can and will snuggle up with other animals, whether it be dogs, hamsters and other birds as long as they’ve been exposed to them enough to build that necessary bond.

The process of building a bond with the other birds or animals will be far easier if they’re raised around them but, taking into account a parakeets social nature, they can be trained to accept another party.

In the end of the day If all things runs smoothly a parakeet will likely become extremely comfortable cuddling them.

How To Build A Bond With Your Parakeet?

First and foremost you need to be around them, we’re talking 4 – 5 hours of social interaction per day.

Obviously this doesn’t mean you’ll have to constantly play with them every minute of the 4 – 5 hours but, be available, play with them when you can, treat them to a snack and the relationship will build overtime.

Once you notice your parakeet becoming comfortable around you, possibly chilling around your space, climbing on you or chirping at you, at that point it might be worth seeing if they’re up to being held.

You can try goading them by using a treat to try and touch the parakeet’s head.

Provided you’ve been putting in effort to make the bird familiar with your presence, eventually petting your parakeet will be possible.

Of course don’t go overboard, especially when its body language suggests it may be in distress. Always try to be aware of any unusual behaviour, your parakeet could be grouchy or even sick, in which case its best to give them space or check them in with a vet.

The bond building process isn’t linear as all parakeets have their unique personalities. One parakeet may bond faster than another but, given enough time they will bond with you and cuddling your little parrot could even become a daily occurrence.

Summary

Parakeets are known to very social as they’re known to be a part of flocks in the wild. They’re even able to socialise live with birds other than their own kind. Once a bond is built they will be open to cuddling however, the personality of the bird as well as their age will determine how quickly they’ll be open to it.

So yeah, parakeets are most definitely cuddlers!

As long you’re willing to go through the long training process in building that all important bond, cuddling may just become part of the routine.

References

Do Parakeets Like To Be Held? [What Owners Must Be Aware Of]

https://www.britishpetinsurance.co.uk