Happy happy joy joy

[LMPego]

We've had Zen for 3 years and she has always been hand shy. She will step up on Scott's bare hand but she's only stepped up on my hand if it's covered with a towel. She's stepped into my hand a couple of times in the past, but only if I had something she wanted.
The other day she wanted out of her cage and I bit my tongue and put my hand in (I was sure I was going to get bit) and she stepped onto it. Then last night she stepped up for me again. Well, this morning she's stepping onto my hand like she's been doing it her whole life! She even let me carry her all the way to her cage and break open a pin feather on her neck!
(I think watching Cory get all the pets is getting to her...)

[smallonion]

WOW! Congratulations! I know what it's like to want desperately to touch a parrot of yours - Humphrey is my case in point. You mentioned that she may have been more accepting from watching Cory. Well, my mom 'broke through' with Corbett in a similiar way, only she used a stuffed animal parrot! My mom would hold the stuffed animal parrot, pet it and make a fuss over it in front of Corbett, saying, "What a pretty parrot, what a nice birdie.." etc. Corbett watched like a hawk! Soon after, Corbett would step up for my mom and let her pet him all over.

Michele and Humph

[Crebain]

Neat that after 3 years, trust continues to build. Congrats, and Smally, that was a clever ploy your mom used.

[Chariclo]

It's an incredible feeling to have that "break through" moment! I'm so happy for you and Zen. Can you imagine her relief after finally taking that big step!?

Little miracles happen everyday!

[LMPego]

This morning she actually lived up to her name.
Go figure.

[Tiki]

I know the feeling! I have been making slow but sure progress with my shy young tiels. Shaka and Tattoo have been watching with great interest how Maui and Manu get more attention and treats from me whend they perch on me-now they have finally worked up the courage to sit on me for a moment, then fly away. They will also now take a sunflower seed from my hand. :D

[LMPego]

Man, she is like a different bird!
We have a new bird sitter that came over yesterday to meet the girls, and Zen took to her like she'd known her her whole life. That is completely unlike her - usually she yells at strangers until they leave!
I don't know what happened to her, but I'm not complaining...

[lsaucedo]

That is so cool. I currently have two cockatiels that do not like to be handled. Its great to hear everybody else get their buddies to step up. Sometimes I feel like giving up, reading your triumphs helps keep me trying.

[LMPego]

Never give up - that's the point, I guess. Even when she wouldn't come near me, I kept giving her my hand and telling her it's okay - eventually, she believed me.

Where in Chicago?
I'm in Des Plaines.

[Joel]

I agree Luis, never give up, sometimes it takes only days, sometimes weeks or months and even years but I believe from experience that they will come around eventually if treated with patience, sweetness, rewards and a comfy, healthy, stress free environment which is up to you to provide.....JMHO