I've only met a couple of ringnecks, but it seems to me that most of them don't like to be touched. I know one that likes it a lot, but I think that might be unusual. It's possible they'll come to like it, but I'd save that for last - first work on getting them to be close to you comfortably.

I hate to say it but I think you're right about being impatient. :-) Think about where their boundaries are, and try to move beyond that boundary in tiny steps. The way to succeed with any sort of training is to take it in tiny steps. If being within a foot of you makes them uncomfortable, then actually touching them would be a huge step forward, so save it for later when they're perching on your hand comfortably.

If he's showing interest in coming for the grape, try putting the grape a couple feet away from where you are, where he IS comfortable coming to get it, and put it just a little bit closer each time. Move it inward an inch each time, and move it outward if he stops being willing to come closer. It will probably be slow progress, but you've got lots of time to work with them.

You might try to find a smaller treat though - my pionus Phoebe loves grapes too but they fill her up fast. She likes safflower seeds just as much and they're so small that we can do a lot of repetitions without her getting full. I found the she likes those after I bought a seed mix and watched what she ate first.

Here's where I got the seed mix:
http://www.organicbirdfood.com/merchant.ihtml?id=5&step=2

I know the people who run that company, so maybe I'm a little biased, but I think it's good stuff. They also sell all of the individual types of seeds by the pound, so when I found out the safflower was Phoebe's favorite, I bought a lifetime supply for about five bucks.

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

Thanks for the tip about safflower seeds - I noticed that grapes take a while to eat, so Bok Bok easily has time to get over to Kiwi and grab some.

I did meet a pale blue ringneck in a petshop (the owner's own and so not for sale - damn!) who would have let me tickle her face all day if I could, but she was kept on her own, so I suppose would have bonded more with people than with other birds.

Do you have any idea what kind of capacity ringnecks have for speech? It's not important to me even if they never say a word, their own cute little noises are great, I'm just wondering.

The ones I've met haven't spoken at all, but I've only met three so it wouldn't surprise me if some did speak. Debbi has a moustache parakeet, which is a close relative - Debbi, does Hootie talk at all?

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA

Yup, Hoot talks but of course most of the time I'm talking too much for her to get a word in edge ways!! :)

She actually started picking up verbal noises first such as ooh, ahh umm etc. and now can say her name (which she has just discovered sounds really cool if she says it while her head is in her 'toy box')
She says hello and for some reason Pete is intent on teaching her to say shut up! (I think that is for my benefit!)

Debbi
NZ