My new Nanday is very scared of me

So about a week ago I got my first bird from a friend who could no longer care for it. It is a Nanday conure named Mordecai. He is being kept in the same cage at my place that he was at his old home. When we met up to see if he would like me (at a pet store) he did perfectly fine, came right onto my hand and climbed on my shoulder to snuggle. But now that he is living at my place he is very scared of me, any time I even walk past the cage he fluffs up and if I stand and talk to him he will hiss and puff up. I looked around for help but couldn't find any specific tips to earning trust or maybe solving another issue that is making him uncomfortable. I've tried being patient and talking nicely, giving him time and space to adjust but now I'm getting worried. Any tips will help! Thank you!

Raku was afraid of me for MONTHS so stay patient and don't take it personally.

Will he approach you for treats like seeds? If so then I'd try some target training which you can do through the bars of his cage.

BriansAWildDowner said:

Raku was afraid of me for MONTHS so stay patient and don't take it personally.

Will he approach you for treats like seeds? If so then I'd try some target training which you can do through the bars of his cage.

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He will only get close enough to try to bite. He does anything he can to get away even if I am a few feet away from the cage. I feel bad, I don't want him to be afraid but it doesn't seem like there a chance of me making progress.

The way to a bird's heart is through his stomach...

SIT DOWN QUIETLY NEXT TO THE CAGE AND TALK TO HIM. OFFER HIM A TREAT. SOMETHING HE CAN'T RESIST. HE HAS TO COME TO YOU TO GET IT.

THEN READ A BOOK OR WATCH A VIDEO OR SOMETHING COMPLETELY IGNORING HIM, BUT SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO HIS CAGE, SO HE GETS USED TO SEEING YOU NOT MAKING ANY THREATENING MOVEMENTS...

NONCHELANTLY SET DOWN THE TREATS IN PLAIN VIEW. LET HIM SEE THAT THERE ARE MORE.

EVERY SO OFTEN LOOK UP AND OFFER HIM ANOTHER TREAT. YOU MIGHT BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. HE MIGHT EVEN START "REMINDING YOU" THAT HE'S STILL THERE (WHILE YOU'RE IGNORING HIM.)

"PLEASE SIR, CAN I HAVE ANOTHER."

And trust is starting to be established.

Repeat at approximately the same time every day for a week.

The week following? You want another treat? Well, you'll have to step up nice for me in order to get it... it's up to you bird. Want it or not?

He may be skittish at first, so be calm and patient. Wait it out. Let the bird come to you. Praise him for being a good bird when he gets his treat.

And the "reward for work" system is established.

Now you can start training him.

I just want to add to the above post that I also leave the cage door open to see if they would come out on their own. It can take them awhile to get adjusted to the new setting and you. It took several months before our Sun is comfortable enough to just come out and come to us on her own as she was very curious about us and wanted to be around us.

Exactly right. I should have mentioned that in the post. All this is done with an open door.

The point here is to get the bird to come to you, instead of the other way around.

Thank you for the help everyone! I was hesitant to do it (because of more change) but I moved his cage closer to my bed/ where I will be able to sit next to him and quietly do my thing. He has started coming out for a minute or two at a time, he still won't take treats but I can tell he's less scared. I appreciate the advice very much!