I've been getting many mixed messages on "taming" Zazu.
Since Zazu was handfed and not scared around humans, I was told to go ahead and start handling him right away. I did the same thing with Yoshi but he didn't seem nearly as scared. So a few times a day, I take him out of his cage. I pet him, cuddle him, feed him and talk to him. Usually around 20 minutes each time. I haven't started teaching step up yet. Mainly because he seems frightened of my hands although he doesn't seem afraid of me. He will sit on my shoulder, lap or chest for a few minutes at a time (sometimes longer) but when my hand goes near him, he kind of backs up. Also when I take him from his cage, he tries to get away. I know that there is a possibility that he may never like my hand but right now, I think it's more because of fear than just not liking them. He will sit on the palm of my hand, no problem. It seems to be when the other hand or a finger comes towards him. Also, he is really grateful to be returned to his cage.
When I was taming Cheeko, (parakeet) I was told not to "grab" him or take him from the cage, but to allow him to come out on his own. Well, after 3 months, Cheeko learned to step up on my hand but would never come out of his cage. Nothing would lure him out, not even millet.
So at this point, I don't know whether to take him out or just leave him be. I'm afraid that if I don't let him get used to my hands now, he will never learn that my hands aren't gonna hurt him. But then again, he may see my hands as a threat if I take him out of his cage with them
Zazu is the third bird I have ever owned. Cheeko was a bin-o-budgie and I knew that I had to work with him constantly from day one. He progressed slowly but unfortunately he passed away before I could see his potential. Yoshi came to me handfed and bonded to me within a few days. He never was afraid of my hands. So Zazu is completely different for me. I'm guessing that all birds are different anyways.
Does anyone have some pointers as to what I should be doing at this point?
Thanks.