Ricky now reliably goes on a hand-held perch/stick when I put it near him and use the word 'up'. Today I started putting my finger out for him, rather than the stick. I started with the stick/perch first, and clicked and treated him 4 times. Then I put them perch down and put my finger in there and used the word 'up'. Of course he was a bit leary, but the ran by my finger, stepping on it on the way and got clicks and treats each time. He managed to use my finger for a split second as a springboard to get out of his cage and get his freedom (which is loves and which I believe he is working for). It seems he can no longer get height when he is flying and perhaps for now that is a good thing. He flew across the room expecting to land on the top of the other birds' cages but landed on the floor, instead. I was able, with a bit of coaxing, to get him on my finger to bring him up to the cage tops, where I let him sit and wander around for half an hour or so. I then used the perch and 'up' to get him back in his own cage (easily) where he got his 'jackpot' - a piece of a millet spray.
This technique is explained in very good easily understandable language in "Getting Started: Clicker Training for Birds" by Melinda Johnson, a Karen Pryor Clicker Book. I highly recommend it.
Meanwhile, both Roxy and Sammy are yet to get on the perch/stick. But they are making slow progress to it.
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