Help!! Nervous Sennie

[Mr.Zeeko]

Hello friends. I recently adopted a 7 y.o male sennie and have had him for a little over a month now. He is VERY quiet and does not talk or make any sounds. Although he does make a squeak noise when he poops...LOL! I have been told I am his 3rd home, but other than that I don't know any history on him. He eats good and has nice feathers. He will play with only one particular toy and that's only to shred it up. He is ok with stepping up and riding on your shoulder every now and then, but for the most part he is very independent and likes to just hang out. When I ask him to step up, he gets nervous and flys off his cage. He will do this a few times before actually stepping up. He will stay on my finger for a minute, but is very anxious to fly back to his cage. Sometimes, I wrap him up in a blanket and pet his head and rub around his eyes and ears and he some what likes it, but there again very nervous in the process. He does not like sudden movements and loud noises. I don't know if his behaviour is from being misused in the past, but I wondered if this would be the behaviour of a semi-tamed bird or even a recent breeder? I talk to him everyday, but I will admit I don't handle him everyday because of his nervousness. He was a flighted bird but did trim his wings just a bit, but he can still fly just not get height.
I am very sad at times because I don't know his history, but I am trying to work with him and I am open to your opinion on what you think is going on with him and how to approach this situation in a positive way.

[Michael]

What makes you think that wing trimming or force petting while restraining in a towel should make the bird less nervous or like you? It sounds less like a problematic bird and more like a problematic approach. I would suggest starting over again from square one on an approach that is based on trust and positive reinforcement instead.

http://ParrotWizard.com/Book
http://TrainedParrot.com

[Scotty]

Like Mike said don't force the bird.

Figure out the birds favorite treat, and when you do, in time that bird will do things for treats! So take it slow and work with the bird.

Maybe Mike will agree on me here, I consider 'Step Up' & Target Training the first two tricks to begin with.

I'll assume you know what Step Up is, hehe, but if he won't and nervous hold step up finger out with a treat in the other hand behind it, so he steps up to reach the treat.

Next, get a chop stick and dog clicker, hold treat again in hand and move SLOWLY towards the bird and teach him/her to grab the chopstick with the beak, then click the clicker and give a treat. Now the idea eventually is to get the bird to come to you, follow the chop stick, grab it, click the clicker and give a treat. This is known as target training, getting your bird to come to you when it sees the stick.

I think this is video by Mike on Target Training;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGb6bn73MJk

So Target Train it and once you've got that and stepping up down, learn to teach it other tricks for treats and in time you'll have a loving bird that wants to do tricks for you, and then in time, won't be nervous!

PATIENCE & TIME!