Semi-Tame Indian Ringneck- how to proceed?

[Zeitooneh]

Hello,

I have a 9 month old Indian Ringneck, Zeitooneh (meaning Female Olive (Arabic))- which I would describe as semi-tame. She doesn't bite and steps up to my hand as a platform when I place it next to her, sometimes choosing to stay on my hand for a while, although this is rare. I would say 'She Doesn't Like Me' as in she never approaches and tends to scuttle off when I approach- when she steps up to my hand she generally uses it just as a platform to climb-up/fly somewhere else and get away, staying perched my hand is occasional but it does happen time to time. I've got passed the stage where she is 'afraid' of me, but its just a matter now of getting her to like me enough to stay on my hand and not try to be away from me.

She has a mixed diet of pellets, sunflower seeds, and fresh fruit/veg- her sleeping habits are controlled and stable, when its dark and the living room is abandoned by family I put a cover over the cage which she likes to crawl under and sleep, until mid-morning when I take off the cover.

One last point, I never close her cage, she always has free movement in the living room and sometimes chooses to fly around, but always returns to her cage/area to perch, sleep, and strangely enough, to poop, which is good as it doesn't dirty the living room (or just hangs around the canary cage and either chirps with it or steals its food).

So.. Any good and fast tips on how to get her to like me? All comments will be appreciated.

[DonnaandNeo]

Hi, do you know her favourite food? If you do try sitting while she is out with her favourite food about a ft away from you, then as time goes by and she takes that move the food closer and closer each time until your holding on an outstretched hand. Once you have her to the stage where she is eating out of your hand close your hand slightly so she has to work a little harder to get a treat, when that works close your hand so that only a little is showing so she can then learn to nudge at your finger and work even harder for that treat.

I use lucen hay as Neo loves to play and chew on it and it sticks out your hand for them to see. If you can get this to work for you then trust has been built and from here you will be able to give a scratch or two.Just remember IRN are not always open to cuddles unlike other parrot breeds, just like some people some birds like personal space.

Good luck it takes time and patience but well worth it.

Donna and Neo