Need help!

[RoyalSeekr]

So I've had my parakeets about a month. My older one will let me touch his chest and sometimes get on my finger/hand but he's still very hesitant on those and doesn't really like it at all unless I have millet. He let me the other day stroke his whole head and back and even preen his head, then the next day he wouldn't let me get close unless I had food and was still hesitant. I just don't understand why it seems like 1 step forward and 10 back. Am I expecting too much too soon, doing something I shouldn't, not doing something I should?

 

[Sparkles99]

I’d confine petting (preening to him) to his head. That’s friendship.

 

[RoyalSeekr]

I’d confine petting (preening to him) to his head. That’s friendship.

I understand that, but I meant the back and forth of his comfort zone basically. One day he's fine with my hand and the next he's back to being scared or not liking me

 

[Pixiebeaks]

My budgie only let me pet him occasionally. Other times he was just happy to hang out with me

 

[Dragonfly6]

It can be a choice based thing when they just aren't in the mood. But also your birds haven't been with you for very long and will still be getting to know you.