Young parakeets can easily be trained to sit on your finger. It is calming to listen to their quiet chattering and chirping. Some parakeets even learn to talk! They are playful and inquisitive, wanting to know more about their new home and the people in it.

At any rate, the best way to work with her, I think, is to take her into a `neutral room.` This is a room she hasn't`t spent much time in, and doesn`t claim as her own territory. If you live in a very small apartment, the most important thing it to make sure the cage is out of sight. I usually wrap them up in a towel and, keeping their eyes covered, try to gently rub the feathers just above their beak, and rub the beak itself a little. This feels really good to them. If she relaxes enough, and you think you can manage it without uncovering her, try rubbing her under the chin. Eventually, when the birds get used to this routine, you don`t have to worry about keeping the eyes covered anymore.

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If after a few minutes this treatment only seems to be stressing her, let her out of the towel. (And if she`s enjoying the treatment... keep it up as long as you want to, and as long as she`s content, before letting her out). See if you can let her out onto your hand, and see if she`ll stay there. Of course, reward her with praise and treats (like millet or sunflower seed) when she`s doing well. Try to make the reward something she loves, but doesn`t always have in her cage. Then try getting her to step up onto your other hand. Reward. Repeat. Keep these little `step-up` training sessions short, only about 10-15 minutes, and try to do it twice a day, if possible. I don`t reward for every step up, only every 2 or 3, or even 5...

If she won `t stay on your hand, don`t worry. Just sit near her, talk to her, and offer some treats. This will help her get used to your presence. And maybe TOMORROW she`ll be willing to do the step-ups.

Of course, whenever you pass the cage throughout the day, take a few moments to say hello, talk to her a bit, and make a show of dropping some special treat into the food dish before you go on with your day.

Good luck!