Parrotlet and taming

Question
Hi there!  I recently adopted a parrotlet, a little female, about 9
months old.  She was hand raised, from a breeder.  I've had her
about a month and a half and she is still pretty skittish and
nervous around us.  She is fairly cooperative about coming out
of her cage now, and doesn't bite anymore.  But she seems
always on edge when she's with us and frequently tries to fly off
when startled.  she also does not like to be touched or petted.  
Someone told me that this was normal behavior in parrotlets -
that they don't like to be touched or petted - but I had a friend
who owns a friendly little parrotlet who enjoys a scritch behind
the head every now and again.  Lucy (my bird) sort of nibbles
and moves away and her pupils flash if you try to pet her.  she
doesn't really bite hard (she did when we first got her, but she is
way better now).  I've been having some nice quiet time set aside
several times a day with just me and Lucy, where she does step
ups, and I talk to her and give her treats, which she seems to
like.  But she's still pretty nervous.  I don't know of a good way
to gain her to trust / let her not to be so nervous, and if i'm
being unrealistic about wanting to pet her.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi, Jillian.  Thanks for posting.

Sounds like your new parrotlet is doing quite well actually.  It's normal for a parrot to be nervous in a new environment with new people.  Just give her some more time to get used to you and her new home.  

Lots of parrots don't like to be touched or petted, particularly on the back or top of the head...not necessarily behavior restricted to parrotlets.  This is instinctive behavior as, in the wild, predators approach a bird in this manner just before they are a meal!  Based on your description of the parrotlet's behavior, I think she will come around with some more time.  Her current behavior is also based on her life experiences up to this point in time.  Even though she was handfed as a baby, perhaps she had some bad experiences with humans in her past that has made her skiddish.    

The establishment of trust is something that builds with time.  Doesn't happen overnight.  Obviously, your parrotlet is trusting you more and more every day.  Your parrotlet will be less nervous and jittery the more time she spends in her new environment.  A month and a half isn't much time.  Be aware though that not all parrots like to be petted.  This is something you need to work on with your parrotlet over a period of time.  

Come back if you need to.  Thanks.

Chrys