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Make certain that you have given the bird two weeks of quarantine during which time it has an opportunity to adjust to its new surroundings. The bird must be eating well, and its droppings and overall appearance must be satisfactory. The bird should have been checked for worms, and the fecal sample cultured for disease -- causing bacteria.

The first lessons should be started after it is dark outside and may simply consist of opening the cage door, allowing the bird to climb to the top of its cage. Some birds jump from the cage, and others refuse to leave it. If you have a bird that refuses to leave, do not force the issue. Simply leave the door open ten to fifteen minutes and close it. Whatever you do, be consistent and do it each time. When the bird comes out of the cage, offer it peanuts, corn, or banana from your hand. For the bird that will not leave the cage, offer food while it is sitting on the perch. If it looks at you, sits on the perch, and takes food from your hand, you are doing well.

The early lessons may be spent just standing in front of a cage, hand-feeding the bird. Once the bird comes from the cage, it should be taught immediately to step onto a perch and remain there. Never force a bird, and use a training stick to direct the bird in the direction that you wish it to go. If it flies off the cage, use a stick either to pick it up or direct it to climb back to the table where the cage is present and let it climb back up to the cage. Block all attempts of the bird to leave the area. If the bird refuses to return to its cage, just put out the light and it will be much more manageable.

The early lessons are used to build trust. Teach the bird to step onto a training stick as soon as possible. Work on teaching the bird to come from the cage in an orderly manner, proceeding calmly to the top of the cage. It should sit there and step on and off the training stick.

If the bird will step onto your hand, avoid the stick for now. The more trust the bird has with you, the better it will be for the bird. Once the bird is used to your environment, then train it to a stick. This can be useful in stressful situations or when a stranger is taking care of your bird.

Under no circumstances should a glove be worn as it only creates distrust of human handlers in a bird's mind. Remember that the entire goal is to create and reinforce trust in people. Once the bird is hand tamed, try touching its feet, back, and the top of its head.

Be consistent. Approach the cage slowly from the same direction each time. Say the same things each time. Open the cage and present the training stick at the same angle each time. Once the bird is comfortable and consistent with one way, and has been for a period of time, approach it in a new way. Still keeping up the other way as well. Not being predictable can be good mental stimulation.