After about a week (spending a LOT of time with him), I have taught him to step-up. He likes cuddling (when I get him calm) and happily sits on my shoulder, but he is still scared of fingers/hands. I calm him down and get him to 'tolerate' my hands for a while, but then he remembers that they are the enemy and he gets scared again. I want him to like being pet, so I'm now considering giving him treats as a reward for letting my hands near him. Ultimately, I would like him to seek out human company, to want to be held, and to enjoy being pet.
Do any of you have specific treats that your lovebird adored as a baby - enough to maybe make him forget his terror for a moment? He likes spray millet, but he will only take it when he is super calm already. I want to find something he LOVES! He has so far rejected banana and broccoli. Suggestions?
Also, has anyone else hand-tamed a skittish love bird? How long did it take before he actually became fully tame? Is there a chance he won't progress past just tolerating me, even if I keep at it? I really don't know what he went through before I got him, but judging by the petstore owner, he has every right to be afraid of hands. I just hope he isn't so traumatized that I can't help him be happy with me. He trembles all the time, even when he seems to be comfortable, and it's warm in the room. He's just so afraid still.
