How can I make Max feel more at home?

[Max.zilla]

Ive had a 'red head mexican Amazon for a whole single day. I know he isnt going to be loving and confident in his new surroundings for quite awhile, but as a first time bird owner I was wondering how I can help with the transistion?

I got him from a couple who could no longer keep him, his cage toys etc came with (so he has at least a few familiar things.) He doesnt leave his cage, I open the door for him and he climbs to the top of his cage and stays there.
He knows the step up command but is too nervous of me and my husband to do it And thats mostly the problem, hes nervous.
If we approach him he shys away, and often times lunges at us as a warning. When we try to do step up he bites, hard; however thats the only time he bites, when we are too close.

How can I help him become less frightened of us? Ive scoured the internet but most of the info I read involves picking up/handling your bird, which we cannot without getting our fingers chewed off. I read that you could use an oven mitt or another thick glove if a bird bites when you try step up, could that help? (Although right now hes scared of the oven mit too.)

I talk and whistle with him, give him some treats throughout the day. He doesnt bite when I give him treats, and comes running for certain ones, but after he getss it he scurries away again with his back to me.

So...how can I make him feel comfortable, and is i possible for me to handle him now, or should I just wait for him to come to me?

 

[weco]

Since he came with his cage, as you mentioned, he came with some familiar surroundings, but I would back off from trying to get him to step up & other interaction for a few more days.....let him get used to his new surroundings.....

 

[Max.zilla]

Ok, Ill do that. Most of the time I just let him be, Ill sit next to his cage and talk to him, sometimes he talks back, so I think that might be progress..

 

[SandyBee]

Give him time, don't force step up issues.
Keep offering treats, but as the days progress make him come to you more and more. Can he get to you from his cage, like a couch or chair beside it or a playstand he can reach.
I did that with my amazon, he was a rehome and came with his cage.
For the first 4 days he would only stay on his cage, on the 4 th evening he crawled down his cage to come and get some of my dinner. He had a little bit, didn't stay too long but it became a routine. From there I wads able to entice him on to his playstand with a treat. I did not force him to step up at all.

I have him for almost 5 months now, he comes when asked, steps up most of the time and is very loving and cuddly.

Also talk to him all the time, he needs to gain trust in you before you can start forming a bond

 

[Max.zilla]

Yes, there is a chair near his cage I sit in to talk to him, sometimes when no one is around Max will perch on the back of it.

Im already noticing progress. He doesnt always run away if I get near him, and sometimes he starts to squak if I leave the room, and continues until I return.
I plan on getting him a play stand soon.

Thanks for the advice weco & SandyBee

 

[chippy]

Please do NOT use an oven mitt, it can be scary and will not teach him that hands are safe!

He's lovely, judging by your pic!