how can i start taming my irn?

[susa89]

hi,
i have a 6 month old male indian ringneck. i have had him for these 3 weeks and at first he was really scared of me. now when i am talking to him he stares at me but as soon as i open the door of his cage and put my hand in, he just gets frightened and moves far away from me. i do it every day but i get always the same thing. i talk to him every chance i get and he even started making noises like he's trying to talk back.
i think he is bonding with me cause as soon as my partner gets near the cage to talk to him he just flies off and gives him his back.

can you help me with some tips of how i can handle him so that he does not get that scared plz?

[ellieelectrons]

Hi Susa

Sounds like you have started taming your bird already. Well done! Next thing I would recommend is feeding your bird treats through the cage bars and when he is comfortable with that, start feeding them to your bird through the cage door. Always let your bird come to you when you offer the treat, don't shove it in their face (as I have tried on occasion) as it will just freak them out.

To find the best treat for your bird, give your bird a container full of a heap of different treats and see which ones he goes for first. Withdraw the treat food from their regular diet and only give it to your bird when you offer it to him.

Both you and your partner should start doing the handfeeding of the treats if you want your bird to bond with both of you. Even visitors to your house can try it.

If your bird is really, really scared... start by showing the bird the treat and when it shows a little bit of interest and you've had enough waiting, let it see you put it in his food bowl - so that he knows it came from you. You want your bird to associate people with getting treats.

As your bird gets more confident, make him do a tiny, tiny bit more for the treat. Eg. if at first you required the bird to just be calm before you pop the treat in his food bowl, next you could try waiting for him to take one step towards you. Look for incremental changes not huge changes all at once.

Good luck & best wishes!

Ellie.