How to Have Wild Birds Eat Out of Your Hand

Last Updated: April 3, 2025

If you've ever had a parrot or a parakeet land on your hand, cock its head, and look you in the eye, you've experienced the thrill of nature up close. If you are patient, you can learn how to tame birds in the wild, too.

Steps

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Try to see things from the birds point of view. You are huge, and you may be the bird's enemy! Also try holding the food out in front of yourself while you get closer to the bird.
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Is it afraid? Rapid movements of the bird's stomach is another sign that the little creature is scared. If you notice this, stand still and wait.
Have some food with you that the bird likes. Put a little in your hand and hold it out.
When the bird lands in your hand, try to hold your breath for a while and keep very still. Even swallowing might scare the bird away.
When you have the bird whisper to it "Hi, baby birdie" in a very soft voice.
After that step whistle very quietly.

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Question

Will the claws on their feet hurt or tickle? I'm very anxious.

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It may tickle a bit or feel like a small scratch when they move around your fingers.

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Will the bird remember me and come back for more food?

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If you do this repeatedly, yes, the bird will remember you and return to you for food.

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Question

How do I get a bird to land on me?

Community Answer

Usually, just food will do the trick. Take a food the type of bird likes, and place it on your hand, as well as in front of you. Let it come to you, and eventually a bird will land on your hand.

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Tips

About half the chickadees you will ever meet will eventually eat from your hand. Purple finches are a little bit harder to convince; about one-third will eventually get the hang of it. No matter how long you try, however, some birds may never want to trust a great big human being.

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It takes skill and practice. Quite often they will fly away by the time you get within ten feet.

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Be very patient. If you rush, they'll just fly away.

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Warnings

Don't ever try to close your hand around a wild bird. This will terrify the creature and it will struggle to get away, possibly biting you.

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If you see a baby bird on the ground, use a towel or napkin to pick it up and put it back in its nest; the napkin is to prevent your scent from getting on the baby. This is to keep raccoons or other animals from finding the chick and probably eating it, since many have learned that human scent means food. Human scent, contrary to popular belief, does not cause mothers to abandon their baby; birds have little/no sense of smell.

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If you even replace your feet the birds will take off.

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Even swallowing will scare the bird away.

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