Sorry for the rant-- back on task
There was something outside that he saw and I didn't. Not sure if it was a bird of prey or something else. The ducks saw it too, as I could see they were also looking up. This is how a plumheads responds to very sincere terror. He freezes and bows. He didn't break eye contact on whatever was scaring him and tucked his beak behind my finger. He started panting but didn't move from this state for a few minutes. Poor little guy

look at the terror in his eyes. When he is startled by something he will of course fly off, but when it is something very scary this is another way he handles himself. I respect that this is what he needs and let him this time. After he seemed more relaxed he went back to his cage for a nap. I am weirdly flattered that he flew to me to hide on my finger. Poor little birdo. Sometimes there are scary things outside.