Question about my new baby POW

[birdluver101]

Hey there. I got a baby Princess of Wales Parakeet only 2 months old. He is very skittish and will let me hold him for only a little while and then wiggling to get away. I was wondering if their dispositions eventually change with a lot interaction and training? Or will he always be the type that you have to catch first before petting? Thanks in advance!!

[Andie]

His disposition will probably to change. Was he handraised or parent raised? How long have you had him? It can take at least a week for a bird to feel at home and to trust you. bonding takes time. Princesses are naturally curious but they are also nervous because they spend a lot of their time on the ground in the wild. They are not necessarily a bird that loves to be petted/scritches a lot (although I know of exceptions).

Mine was not handraised and came from an aviary at 12 weeks but she is content to cilmb on me and sit on my shoulder (and head grrr!) but she does not like being 'held' in my hands. I think she does not like to feel confined. I leave her door open when I am studying and at first it too AGES for her to come out but now she comes right down. I never put my hand in her cage because I am worried that if she jumps to the ground she will hurt her beautiful tail feathers.

[Monica]

By catching him you could be frightening him more. Parrots are prey creatures, so could take the grabbing of the entire body as a predatory thing thus frightening them more.

Perhaps instead of trying to enforce being handled, why not make it a choice? Try offering food or treats from your hand, interact in a nonthreatening/hands off type of manner instead of hands on. Gaining the birds trust is the goal, not to frighten.