I can pet him, but I can't hold him

[art-fromthe-heart]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and already I've learned a wealth of knowledge searching around.

I just adopted a 5 yr old parrotlet named Kazoo. His first owner is dying of cancer (rest her soul) and apparently Kazoo was raised in a halfway house with many people. He's very friendly already, had him just 5 days and he instantly likes every person in the home and loves being petted on and around his head. I've noticed some not so friendly quirks like agression to red clothing and some territorial anger, but I think it's hormones. Not fearful at all, very vocal and playful. I know training takes patience and time, but is is odd that I can already pet him yet he won't get on my finger without offering a treat? I hope to one day get him able to play outside his cage, but I think its best to get him trained to step up on a hand willingly first...

Thank you!

New bird mommy,
Cara

[Michael]

Keep in mind that there is a difference (in the bird's mind) between what you do for it and what it does for you. The ultimate long term solution is to combine both. Oh you want a headscratch, ok step up and I will give you one.

[Pajarita]

Exactly! Stepping up just because you asked for it is not motivating enough, a reward is in order but, like Michael said, it doesn't have to be food, love is usually enough.

[art-fromthe-heart]

Keep in mind that there is a difference (in the bird's mind) between what you do for it and what it does for you. The ultimate long term solution is to combine both. Oh you want a headscratch, ok step up and I will give you one.

I'll certainly work on that, thank you very much!

[Scotty]

Yeah step up I've always assumed was like one of the first things to get a bird to do.

Oh something no one mentioned, but maybe it's being assumed by everyone. If the bird doesn't want to step up hold it's favorite treat in your hand behind your step up hand so it has to get up to reach over and grab the treat!

[Lucyandcharlie]

May I ask what to do if your bird would rather be scratched than take a treat from you x

[Michael]

Simple, use scratches as treats.

[Caccamo]

I introduce another question.
And if your bird accept your hand only to give him food treats and you can't touch him for scracthes because he have fear of your hands on his body, what's the solution? To continue with only food treats until he will accept scracthes??
For example in my situation now there isn't particular problem with step up in the training with food treats, but i can't touch him with my hands. i can touch softly and slowly only his beak and also i know that he doesn't see this like something he like. It's just something he tolerate, i think because he knows that if something go wrong my hand is near his beak and he can bite me. But if i try to put my hand slowly not perfectly in front of his beak but side or over his head or wing or breast he try to bite me or just make a nasal nervous/fear noise.
I have to say that i have him only since 2-3weeks with only 1 week of training.

[Pajarita]

I don't think the problem is that your bird is afraid of your hands, I think it's because amazons don't usually like to be touched. Out of 11 amazons I've had, only one hen liked my touching her and then only scratches on her head and neck, no other part of her body. They like to perch on your shoulder and keep you company and, if you have long hair (like me), they like to preen it but that's about it with amazons - at least, in my experience it has been so.

[Wolf]

I would also add that trust takes time to build and he may need more time. How much time will vary from bird to bird and some birds just are not cuddle bug and don't like a lot of handling.