Am losing hope with my IRN Krishna

[Pattu Rani]

I have had this little terror for 2 months now (he is exactly 5 months old today - his hatch date was May 29) and he doesn't want anything to do with anybody yet supposedly he was handfed. He has all the toys and treats a bird could want, loads of love and attention but he almost always sits with his back turned to us on the top of his cage as if he is sulking. He is clipped and will only step up to a handheld perch if he is on the floor and wants me to put him back on his cage, otherwise won't let anyone near him - lunges and tries to bite. He is still very quiet - makes a series of short screeches occasionally, rarely makes some cute 'talking' sounds. I have had an Alexandrine and a Senegal in the past, both handfed and this bird is nothing like them - he is breaking my heart. I try to offer him millet (his favorite) or sunflower seeds - looks but doesn't come near me. I wonder if this is the 'bluffing' stage or if he will always be like this in which case maybe he would be happier as a breeder? Am really losing hope here...

[Melika]

He likes being out of his cage and on top, so perhaps try a new rule- he can't come out unless you take him out (he can't bring himself out of his cage). Hane isn't allowed to bring himself out anymore, he would sit on top and became very possessive of it. In fact, I like to do taming/training out of site of the bird's cage.

Does he have a stand with food cups? Could try bringing him out for his favourite foods. That way coming out with you means he gets yummy treats he can't get in his cage.

I had a 'tiel who was similar, would only step up off the floor. So I sat down on the floor and that's how we practiced step-ups. Try using your hand to bring him off the floor then do step-ups from hand to hand for a little bit, then it's onto the stand for millet and fruits/veggies. Honestly the first week, I had to use a box to chase my tiel out of his cage where he would flap to the floor. But it's the only way I could get him out (tried the nice way/earn trust with him for years and for him didn't work).
If you can't use hands at first, use two dowels and practice as if it is your fingers (imaginary ladder to nowhere step-ups) and you can work your hands closer and closer to his feet over time. Eventually he should be stepping onto your finger with the dowel underneath and then eliminate the dowels altogether.

Quantity of time with animal training isn't as important as frequency. Every fifteen minutes or so, you can walk over and practice some step-ups with a lot of cheerful "Good bird!" mixed in and then back on the stand he goes. It takes a lot of work and patience (hopefully not too much pain) but it's worth a try. I sense you want to try everything you can- you can do it!

[Pattu Rani]

Thanks for the tips Melika - will try the two dowel trick and only giving him his favorite foods if he is near me. I need to buy him a play stand that I can put on the bed or table - most of the ones I have seen look like they are for budgies or tiels. I just found out he loves cranberries so can use them to bribe him - lol