Shy baby GCC is terrified of me

Hello all! I just recently bought a 6 month old Green Cheek Conure and it is extremely shy, which is apparently not how GCCs are supposed to be. He (I haven't had him sexed yet, but I don't plan on breeding him so I just decided to stick with he/him pronouns) does NOT like to be held and acts like he's absolutely terrified of people. He is really comfortable with my two cats that lurk around his cage though, and even will hang on the side of the cage the cat is sitting at to avoid me. I read that I should talk to him in a calm, soothing voice and I have been, but he is still extremely afraid of me. When I do hold him, he'll fall asleep on my chest, but as soon as I go to put him up, he's trying to get away from me again. He recently started squawking and it's getting increasingly louder, which I heard is also weird for a GCC? He's my first conure and my girlfriend is doing her best to help me, but her experience with birds is mostly falcons and parakeets. He doesn't bite and the only time he has was when he got tangled in my hair and when I tried to get him out, he bit me. It was totally understandable and after I untangled him I put him back in his cage. He also doesn't want to have anything to do with his toys and I'm worried the squawking is because he's bored. I really need advice on how to go about gaining his trust? I'll talk to him and he's kind of starting to know his name (I usually just say 'Draco!' and call him a pretty bird when I do talk to him). Also, I really don't want him to develop a habit of his loud squawking he started up as I live in an apartment. Any advice?

Welcome to you!
Hang in there, they are awesome creatures! Stubborn, controlling, lovies!

Birds can be loud, even GCC's, they just tend to be more quiet than other conures who are rather known for being loud. don't react to him when he's being loud, it will reinforce him to do it.

He may either be afraid of his toys, or just hasn't been taught how to play.

Does he have favorite treats you can offer to him with your hand? He'll learn that hands are good things that give treats and scritches.

There are lots of threads on the board that cover a lot of your questions. I wouldnt worry about species specific too much, generally what works with one parrot works with another, even any knowledge your girlfriend has of parakeets is very valid with your conure.

Patience and consistency are your best way of handling a new bird.

Congrats on your new friend, it sounds like you are doing the right things.

I've tried to give him treats, but right now I only have blueberries and he wants nothing to do with them. I misted him earlier while he was on his play perch and he seemed like he liked it, but wasn't sure. I'll definitely search more for them, I found a few that were helpful with bathing and preventing aggression. (He rubs his face on his perches when I'm close to the cage and I read that can be a territorial thing.) I apologize for my post, I'm just worried and want to be the best bird mommy I can be!

Welcome to the forum!!! First of all - hang in there!!! it is just going to take time and patience...

Where did you get him? was he hand-fed? could you get any advice from the breeder?

Next - treats are an absolute must! Birds liking of fruit and veg may vary but I have never seen a parrot to refuse a sunflower seed..

I would just be extremely patient with him... talk gently - try treats!

Keep us all posted on how you are getting on!