What I'm learning from reading so many posts about CAGs and the lack of interest in step up and being handled is that bonding at a VERY early age is extremely helpful in building the trust and a very comfortable and friendly relationship with the owner. And that I am VERY lucky that I got my CAG (now 21 weeks) from her earliest stages and was able to visit her often before taking her home. Perjo has been stepping up and letting me handle her since she was 10-11 weeks old. I'm never lucky in life in general so I am so grateful that this has worked out for me so quickly and easily.
I'm also getting the sense that CAGs, once entrenched in a relationship with one owner or a way of life, take a long time to adapt to such a major change.
Stay the course, b/c it is so cool once the bird gets super comfortable with you.
Perjo is on my shoulder as I type this, doing her morning "soft" whistling routine.