Hi, I have two 4 yo white winged parakeets, very similar to canary wing. Actually my two were identified as canary wing but are white wings. If your bird has any white under wing, it may be a white wing. Great birds, very curious and sweet. Mine are a bit shy and bonded to each other but want to be with me when ever out of the cage. I do let them fly in the house, but I started in a very small room until they learned about walls. Then put tape on windows and mirrors until they learned to avoid them. Now they have full range of house when not caged. One bosses the other a bit, so the less bossy one is sometimes nervous and nippy. He has gone from biting me when nervous the first year to just bumping me with his beak instead of biting.
My best advice, go slow, and like others said, talk and treats. Sunflower seeds work very well as well as small pieces of apple or grapes. Let the bird come to you, remember you have 20 years to create your relationship. If your bird doesn't want to come to you, don't try to handle right away, lay your hand near the bird as you talk but no further than the bird is comfortable with. Play with paper quietly near by, a lot of birds find it irresistible and will come to investigate. I found that when I offer my back of hand pinky side first, my guys step up better than a finger. Also, my guys seem to like, if have to hold them, that I reach for and cup them with both hands rather than one, not sure why but birds have their own ideas.
My guys also say a few words, make some special sounds, and do all kinds of tricks and games. They get so happy when I say it is time for School! They love me to hand them small toys and they throw them back to me. One holds a bottle cap and begs for treats to be placed into cap. The other goes up and down a ladder on command. That took me about 10 minutes to teach. They learn very fast and love the attention. They like to hold small wooden blocks and nuts to chew.
I have read that a full pellet diet is not good for the brotogeris, mine won't eat them anyway. However I make a very fine vegetable, fruit, pellet, seed, and nut chop that I freeze and they love it. Of course I feed it before seeds or nuts and fruit. Some love pieces of veggies and fruit. Mine are picky, veggies hidden in chop or bird bread, apples and grapes only.
There is a yahoo group for
Brotogeris (species for canary winged and others) that can offer a lot of species specific info. You can PM me if you want more info. good luck!
Cris
