My first bird, Grace Cockatiel, was a hand fed baby, constantly handled gently and actually jumped on me to get my attention. Instant pet and she loved sitting on me to watch IV in the morning before I went to bed. Gracie Tiel was a wonderful bird. I decided she needed a mate since I slept all day. I bought Chip Tiel at PetSmart. Took me eight months before he would step up on my forearm and he never did allow me to handle him. All I had to do is say his name and point to where I wanted him to go and he landed right where I wanted him. Trimming nails was a little risky, but he was extremely flexible for a badly hand shy bird.