No suitable cage at my usual store. Found a different one, and bought the ONLY small cage they had. Ridiculous! When I came in the back door, Packer heard me and chirped as usual. Sheesh! I got the small cage set up--it is really pretty small--probably too small, but whatever. Put in his favorite little perch which is a branch from our maple tree. He doesn't have a favorite toy, really, but the one he sort of seems to like best is too big for the cage. I put in what I could fit. He has one toy which you can't see in the picture but it is about his height. A small, rectangular block of wood. It isn't soft, but does have tufts of stuff coming out all around it. He SNUGGLES up to it at night. I was tempted to wrap it in a soft cloth.
ANYHOW, it took a while, but at one point he came down to one of those plate rails I mentioned (dang my nice OLD house) which is about the level of the top of my head, so reachable. I was able to coax him onto my finger with some millet. Slowly got him to front of cage, and this time when my hand was in the doorway, he looked in like "Oh, here we are!" and hopped in. I didn't try to get him in the little cage, though that was my original intent. I was afraid that he'd balk at the very small and unfamiliar door.
He sat for a bit. Finally he took one small sip of water. That's it. Hasn't eaten any food. I'm perplexed about that. He is chirping softly to himself at present which is what he does when it's getting close to his sleepy time at night.
He is plucking feathers, so let's hope that stops.
As you see in picture, both cages are on the dining room table. I put them together and opened the doors so maybe in a bit when he is calm he will go in small cage to explore by himself. (Ha--fat chance!) He looks like he needs sleep badly, but I hope he eats and drinks more soon.
Later today I'll move him, one way or another, to the bedroom. Not sure how I'm going to get him moved to small cage.
I need sleep too. Didn't get much last night. Right now I am so relieved he is in any cage! I was getting scared he'd just refuse until it was too late. By the time I got home it was no food or water for about 27 hours!
Many thanks for ideas, everyone, and for caring.