taming an indian ringneck parakeet

Question
Hi,
  I would like to ask your advice about taming my indian ringneck parakeet. I have had Sky for about 6 weeks. He was 6 months old when I got him from a pet shop. He was in the shop for less than a week and a bird breeder had him in an aviary up until then. He has not been hand fed.
 He has settled in quite well.He is used to me putting my hands in his cage. He likes to be misted. He will take food off me from between my fingers but not from the palm of my hand, he just bites when offered food like that.I would like for him to go on to my hand but I don't know how to get him to do it. When I put my hand in for him to get on he just bites me and I have tried to get him to go on to a perch but he just thrashes around in his cage and I don't want to upset him. Can you suggest what I could try next?  

Thank You
Shell

Answer
Hi, Michelle.  Thanks for posting!

Well, this bird isn't tame, so you have to start from the beginning.  Sometimes it works, sometimes not.  Why did you buy an untame bird if you wanted a tame bird?

A bird's cage is it's personal space, it's territory, it's safety zone.  Most parrots don't like "intruders" inside their cage.  Therefore, you should allow your bird to come outside it's cage before trying to work with him.  Also, when you stick your hand inside it's cage, you are cornering your bird...this is why he bites you.  Again, allow your bird to come outside it's cage on it's own, then work with the bird.  Just open the cage door and go about your business.  When/if the bird comes out of it's cage, just let him sit on the top of his cage getting used to being out.  Parrots act differently outside their cages then inside their cages because they are more vulnerable outside their safety zones.

Once your bird is coming out of it's cage on it's own free will, try to build trust with your bird.  If the only way the bird will take food from you is when the food is between your fingers, then start out doing this, and reward your bird with it's favorite treat EVERY time he does what you ask of him.  I would not want my birds taking food from the palm of my hand because this leaves every finger/whole hand vulnerable to attack...is there a particular reason you want your bird taking food from you in this manner?  Since this bird is untame, I'd be happy any way the bird would take food from my hand!  

Once your bird is comfortable outside his cage interacting with you, then you can start the "step up" training.  You may need to take this bird into a room where he can't get to or see his cage if he tries to get back to his safety zone when you are working with him.  Regardless, this bird isn't going to get on your hand until he trusts you more.  Your goal with your bird is trust...if a parrot trusts it's human, the human can do anything with the bird.  Since your bird isn't tame, you have to take baby steps in order to get him to the point where he's comfortable sitting on your hand.  

This entire process takes much time and patience...it isn't going to happen overnight.  

Try the above for starters and see how it goes.  Then come back for more help as you need it.

Chrys