... Did I do anything wrong? How should I proceed?
I haven't had as much time lately to follow all the background, but this interaction sounds pretty perfect to me
... I put my hand in cage and gently asked him to step up. He didn't move away but he didn't seem interested also. He was just looking intently.
Another explanation is he didn't know what you were asking (yet).
He takes treat from my hand and few times...
You can leverage this food interest by offering food with one hand, slightly out of reach, while offering your other hand as a place for him to step and reach the treat. I usually don't like luring, but I think it has its place when it's used gently to guide a request especially when what you're asking isn't already understood. At first, I would reward any slight progress, even if it's just him testing how solid your hand feels as a place to step. Then a tentative step that gets withdrawn receives a treat and praise, and eventually a full step onto your hand.
I'm a fan of foot-first with birds, especially macaws, because beak-first "stepping" will sometimes makes it difficult to read their intent. Generally, when a bird eventually learns to lift a foot to show they want up, and then lead with the foot to step, everyone is clear on what's being communicated (they
want to step up).
Be a solid trustworthy perch and over time Pestaa will learn that your hand is a safe place to be.
If I give Oscar a weak tentative hand to step on, he won't... even if he was the one who originally asked to step up.
Of course, this is where target training is helpful too, and you could also start there if either of you aren't quite ready for a step-up directly to your hand.
... Then when I moved more towards him slowly, he made a mild lunging movement and touched my hand with his beak. I took it as a warning and backed off.
You're both learning how to communicate with each other and I'd say both "speaking voices" were a healthy and polite level.
Pestaa told you he's had enough, or he's not comfortable with what you were doing, with that mild lunge/touch.
You communicated that you understood his message, and respected his wishes by backing off.
I think you just earned some goodwill there, and both learned something about each other and the current boundaries.
Even though I believe this was a positive
outcome overall, it was in the context of an interaction that was currently unwanted.
Make a mental note of where that boundary was crossed as it's good feedback for where the relationship currently stands.
if it continues to happen with more frequency, I'd take it as a sign to slow down and focus on interactions that are welcomed.
Now I think we should start working on stepping up with pestaa
There's no rush in any of this, and remember that "
I think" is only one side of this relationship -- often it's best to let our birds decide the pace.
Enjoy this phase for what it is -- you're both learning each other and laying a foundation for a healthy trusting relationship.
