Well, Buffy was hand-raised, so she LOVES people and wants to be as close to us as possible at all times.
Our other cockatiel, Spike, was not, and it has been a very slow, steady journey of trust with him. He still hates hands passionately, but allows (brief) kisses on his shoulder. He's not quite a year old.
It really just takes time, and constant reassurance that you are not going to hurt them.
One of the bird forums I frequent suggested sitting beside their cage and reading to them. Sounds crazy but it really works. They get to observe you from the safety of their cage for a lengthy period of time without you directly interacting with them, and it really seems to help. I know a big breakthrough with Spike came after I had spent a couple of days painting beside his cage. So he could watch me without the threat of being handled. I chatted to him on and off all day, and he learned I was safe! :~)
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Date: 2008-12-05 11:57 pm (UTC)Our other cockatiel, Spike, was not, and it has been a very slow, steady journey of trust with him. He still hates hands passionately, but allows (brief) kisses on his shoulder. He's not quite a year old.
It really just takes time, and constant reassurance that you are not going to hurt them.
One of the bird forums I frequent suggested sitting beside their cage and reading to them. Sounds crazy but it really works. They get to observe you from the safety of their cage for a lengthy period of time without you directly interacting with them, and it really seems to help. I know a big breakthrough with Spike came after I had spent a couple of days painting beside his cage. So he could watch me without the threat of being handled. I chatted to him on and off all day, and he learned I was safe! :~)