When I finally do get him on the stick, he's extremely scared if it moves at all. He's always flapping and trying to stay balanced.

Now when I get him on the stick, I tilt it so they he walks down and onto my arm, I figure that will help if he needs stability (like grabbing onto me). I stand there for a bit til he's still and I try to walk but he freaks out, flapping.. extremely scared, obviously because he's not feeling comfortable/stable, which eventually leads to him jumping off and flapping to the floor.

I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on making him more comfortable while moving? It seems he's just not comfortable about being on anything but his perch. Like when I put my arm in front of him, he'll put one foot on and push down and sometimes try to put the other one on.. but he always gets scared and backs up or he gets annoyed and tries to bite.

I'm guessing this is all abut him being scared of anything but his perch.. any suggestions? Especially on the walking around with him on a stick or my arm.

He's a B&G, btw.. so he's a larger bird.

I have 2 Greenwings and I have gotten the same response when I first attempted to have them perch on a stick. They were both very afraid, flapped and refused to do it.

My suggestion would be to wrap your forearm snuggly in 2 ace bandages and offer your forearm. Be sure it is a secure, safe, firm arm for him (don't back away) to step onto. Once you offer your arm, keep going forward toward his lower belly (no hesitation, no lack of confidence) and he will step up. Give LOTS of praise. This will be done in a quick motion, there will be no time for him to even think about a bite. Having your forearm wrapped will give you the confidence to do this, lessen the pinch if there is a bite and it also will help your arm feel more secure for the bird.

When you an your bird accomplish this have a party! Lots of praise and treats!

He's afraid of anything on my arm.. so I just deal with the biting. He never draws blood, it's a pinch if not just him scratching his beak across my arm or "licking" me. I suppose he's just used to my bare arm..

When he's ON my arm, after like 10-20 seconds he calms down and everything is fine. It's the walking part afterwards that REALLY scares him. He doesn't like to move.. do they eventually get used to it.. or is there a way to calm them?

When he is on your arm try moving him so that his body can be supported by your body. In other words move your arm close to your chest so if he were to fall forward there is no place to go.

In addition to the other excellent advise, I'd start with not moving then. Then incrementally move just one step. Give a treat. Praise.

Double check you're not bobbing your arm inadvertantly. Especially up and down it's the sign of an insecure tree limb sorta. If he's annoyed it could be you're moving back or down in fear without knowing it? Push up not drop down. In the belly not the feet. So he can step.

Also if the stick is too small he cant get a good grip. I'd double check what kind of perch you're using. IME it's better to use one that their feet can go at least 3/4 around not 100% around. And Probably the knobby kind not a smooth wooden dowel.

You can also do it sitting on the couch. But dont bob him around.

I assume you can handle him ok it's just the walking on the arm or perch problem? Have you tried just your hand? Extended like a perch? Not the arm where he really cant get a grip?

I'd do the ace bandage wearing even when you're not working on it. Maybe desensitize him if he gets used to seeing it.

He's not very good with handling. I got him when he was 2 1/2 years old (he just turned 3), and he's always been in a cage. I got him from a breeder, it was her personal bird, but he was in the bird house with all the breeding birds (in his own cage, never having actual physical contact with other birds or humans.. just in the atmosphere). She sold him because she didn't have enough time to handle him. So, he's never had much contact..so he's just scared, period. I decided to give him time hoping he'd "come around". Which he loves to talk and play, but does not like being touched. He'll let you touch his head every once in a while.


Whenever I put my arm or hand out, he does nothing but try to nip. Even with a stick (which is actually an extra cage perch, so it's long and thick), he tries to push it away. I try the "step up" but it's never gotten around.. so I push it into his chest until he grabs with one foot then I lift up and walk away from the perch and cage and then tilt the stick so that he walks down and onto my arm.


My avatar was actually taken today. I took the advice on bringing him on my chest, though all he wanted to do was try to peek over my shoulder to see if he could find his cage lol

I walked slow with him and he was a little weary at first, but he was doing better.


Now my issue is.. while he's on my arm and I'm walking.. he's just looking around trying to find places to go.

Also, the treat thing - he doesn't like treats when he's being handled. I'm not sure why. I know it's not good, because he gets VERY stressed (breathing, and his feet get hot). So he's definitely not wanting a treat.. even then.. I haven't found "his" treat yet. I've tried fruits, almonds (which he likes every once in a while), peanuts (same way as with the almonds).

I haven't found something that he would want whenever he can get it, you know what I mean? I tried giving him an almond after he let me walk with him but he just snatched it out of my hand and dropped it.

You haven't had him for very long. You're both new to each other. In time you'll build trust and he will be much more comfortable with interacting with you. If his nervousness won't allow him to take a treat from you at this time, talk softly to reassure him that he's a good boy and doing a great job.

He loves interacting, as long as I'm not trying to mess with him. When my boyfriend is home alone with him, Bo (my bird) will not make a sound. As soon as I walk in the door, it's nonstop singining and talking and blowing kisses.

He says "shake shake shake, shake shake shake, shake your booooootyy.. OWWW" for hours lol

But he's still nervous about the handling part.. though when we took him back to the breeder to get his nails and beak trimmed, he ran to me when they were done (literally ran across the room to me) and let me pick him up right off the floor (that was the first time he ever let me hold him).

Hopefully if I keep working at it he'll get more comfortable with being away from his cage and perch.

He totally will. Absolutely you've made a ton of progress. Six months is short like Karen said. Even the most "well adjusted" bird without obvious issues isn't themselves for at least a month superficially and it's really more like three to six before they really start being comfortable in their own way, ime. Possible exception is a baby who doesnt have a real fixed personality or experiences affecting his comfort levels yet. And half the time those birds are just scared anyway so they go along all "calm" since they have no choice but to trust those people in charge of them.

Just the fact that he is so happy with you says alot. Handling is overrated, IMO...meaning it's not a natural behavior for that close contact for so many. Of course it has to be done so he can be handled, secure and predictable...and it will grow on him.

But so many birds arent the cuddly little affectionate things that others are. Alot of reasons. For me, there are many more important things they need to succeed in life.

I want the bird to be confident in his environment, knowing what to expect from his routine and humans, even strangers, curiosity, playfulness, foraging, eating, bathing, flying, climbing stuff, chewing stuff, interacting with the humans in a psychologically healthy way....like watching you make his food in the kitchen, trying to communicate by asking for stuff in his way, etc.

Eventually they may or may not want cuddling. It doesnt matter though because what they really need is secure personalities to get them through life. Like in his case. Nobody to cuddle anyway so what's the point of making them "that way".

He may have a weak grip, too. I'd have that checked by his doctor. If he was cagebound with crappy perches especially. He may have to get his strength back.


I like confidence with you which he has. He's trying to trust you through his nervousness. That's enough for now.

Get a different perch if that one is smooth dowel type. Get a knobby one that's easier to grip.

Like Karen said his nerves prevent him from focusing on anything but his safety for now so dont worry about the treat. I always have a destination. Does he have somewhere to go besides the sofa. Also his cage should be against the wall preferably in a corner. Some are afraid near a window. So a play area would be the same. Mine play like nuts right out in front of a window but I wouldnt expect it. A play area near a wall again or next to the sofa, say. Or if he might like a Boing hanging in a safe spot. To get him away from being cage bound.

It will be a long haul but rewarding for you. And I'm so sure he is appreciative of everything. He's being brave. Thank you for helping him, too.

Sounds to me like you're doing fine! I would say don't push too hard, just keep working at it patiently and at his pace. He's been cage-bound, and apparently wasn't exposed to many different experiences during that critical growing up time. In time I think he'll improve, but in the meantime, just remember not to expect too much, because its going to take time. He may never be much of a "snuggler", or be crazy about being petted, but he will get more used to being handled. Does he have a fun play-gym to hang out on? That might help, if he had an alternate place (maybe out of sight of his cage) that had toys and treats.

One other thing: Is he clipped, and if so, do you know if he was allowed to fledge properly?