What I did was cut up an old hand towel into "p'let" sized squares. I would then take one of those squares when I wanted Winkie to come out, reach in & grab him. (note: I only did this because I wanted Winkie out so badly. Also I no longer do this.)
Once the bird was out I would transfer him onto my shoulder where he would hide in my hair. At some point while he was out I would work with him on step-ups whether it was my finger or a dowel. I only gave him millet when we did step-ups or if he came out w/out biting - during the 1st 3 mths I had him.
Make sure Daisy is getting 12+ hrs of sound sleep every night. I think that extra sleep might help her calm down a bit.
If & when she bites present your fingernail so that she can't get a real grip on your finger & tell her 'don't bite, bad bird' in a firm, calm tone.
P'lets can live 20+ yrs with good care so go at the birds' pace, there's plenty of time.
Keep up your good work with Daisy.

How large is her cage? What foods do you give her daily? Does she get baths? Does she get at least 12 quiet hours of sleep every night? Is she nervous about a loud pet, or child or something?

Toys, do you have lots of them and many fun perches, like the bendy rope ones? Nice big toys? They get bored and very irritable if any of these needs are not met.

Thanks for your replies. Sorry it has taken me a few days to reply I just haven't had the time to actually sit down and type


Leah: I have considered just grabbing her but didn't want to have any setbacks. I have worked so hard to gain her trust that I just hate to break it by grabbing her. Do you think that it would start things over in our relationship??

Sally:
Daisy's Cage (from petsmart.com)

Hope that comes through. Anyways this is type of cage she has. I know it's not as big as yours but it's the biggest that I have room for at this current time. Once my in-laws move into their house we will have more room & her cage will be upgraded.

She gets Pellets & seeds daily. When I bought her from the pet store she was on pellets only and refused any fruit. So I was told by the pet store to mix a little pit of seed/dried fruit in with her pellet and she has started eating these because it's there in her bowl. Now she does eat bananas. This week I've introduced apples, pears, & strawberries topped with a little banana and millet (like a birdy sundae ...)
Yesterday she didn't eat any but hopefully today she will get brave.

She does not get baths because she won't let us. As I stated I cant get her out of the cage. Every once in a while I see she's a little wet so I'm assuming she's using her water bowl (we change 2xs a day just in cast). We tried the birdy bath that hooks onto the big door in the cage but she won't go in it. We have also tried it in the bottom of the cage or just a shallow bowl. She really doesn't like being on the floor of the cage.

She usually goes to sleep around 8:00. This is what time she goes up to her perch & curls up next to her cozy corner. I cover her up about that time and then uncover her at 7:30 because she is already awake. I'm not sure what time she actually wakes up because I'm not awake yet .. haha.

There is nothing in our house that startles or scares her. She is overall a pretty happy bird.
She does have a bendy perch that is wound around in her cage, a driftwood brand, & three regular perches plus a ladder. For toys she has about 6 but only plays with one or two. We are leaving the same ones in there but rearranging so that maybe she will play with the others. We also have pieces of shred stuff tied all in her cage for her two chew on. right now she just has one favorite.

I'm so sorry this is so long but I really want as much help as possible and want to give all the details! Sorry it's a novel.

Thanks again!
Jessica

Oh, the cage is teeny. That is too tiny for a bird, especailly a Parrolet. They need a VERY large and very wide cage. I think it is too small even for a finch. I sure hope you can get a better one soon. I think you will see a healthier happier bird after you get toys and a good cage.

Many birds react when you reach into their territory (the cage)They feel safe in the cage. Try getting some foot toys to put on the floor and when he does come out he will have a reason other than to be with you. And, yes that cage is much to small.

I don't feel that this cage is too small. The one that the pet store recomended was actually smaller and we upgraded it to this one. I mean she can actually flutter from one side to the other.

I came here seeking advice and have taken the time to type two very long explanations of my problems and I'm told that my cage is way too small get a bigger one and it will solve your problems. It sounds as if my cage isn't even livable for any bird. Even if I had a huge cage with a dozen toys she would still be the same bird with the same biting/hand issues. At this time I'm unable to get a bigger cage so I have to deal with what I have. She is not unhappy or being abused in sort of way by having an "adequate" cage. Maybe you think that because her cage isn't big enough I shouldn't have a bird but I love her very much and I'm doing the best that I can. I just need some help on these issues as a first time bird owner. Maybe it wasn't meant to sound that way but that's how it comes across to me.

Sorry if this is offensive. I'm not trying to hurt any feelings and I appreciate the help given very much.

Please try to understand that we're only trying to help, and didn't mean to hurt your feelings! No one is saying that you shouldn't have a bird, and we know you love your little girl very much. That is plain just from your being here and asking questions, seeking help for your problems.

It may sound simplistic, but sometimes issues such as what you are experiencing with her can be dramatically improved (not necessarily solved, but markedly improved) by getting the bird into a more suitable cage. The cage is very small, and the fact that the pet store recommended an even smaller one speaks volumes about their knowledge (or lack of it).

Again, please understand, we're not trying to hurt your feelings, and we apologize for doing so. But please try to have some trust for us that we are only trying to help. I understand you may not be able to get her a larger cage right now, but please, please consider doing so as soon as you can.

I had (& still do) a small cage when I first got Winkie. The doors slid up & down (like a giullitone-sp) So it was v. difficult for me to get Winkie out. It took Winkie over 2 mths to trust me enough to want to come out on his own. By that time I had gotten a bigger cage. When I got the new cage I made sure that I put my hands in there to clean out, put in stuff, etc. so that the bird wouldn't be so territorial about his cage. It helped - for a while! Winkie still doesn't care for hands, but if you put your arm underneath the door of the cage he will run up your sleeve.
I hope you get some insight from my ramblings,
Leah

The cage size is one part of a happy P'let. I have learned that first hand and many people have also. When we got the really large, wide cages, our bird changed completely! Petstores usually do not have a clue about cage size. They think a tiny bird needs a tiny cage.

I learned after having Chipper and then being on the forums and getting to know Chipper. She was a different bird after we got the very large cage. SO much more happy go lucky! Her other cage was also big, but this is much larger.

The toys they need cannot fit into small cages. I was just trying to help and tell you what I have learned and answer your question. Personality and cage size, toys, sleep and food are all very important to the happiness and health of a Parrotlet.

You are a good bird owner and we know that. We are all here to learn and share. Just reserch the right cages and you can get one when you can. Then all of the great toys and perches will be fun for her!