thanks pcb .. that helps a lot. I was thinking about it oppositely .. I thought I should wait until they were with us long and warmed up to us before trying to put our hands near them. It just seems to stress them out so much .. but thanks for clearing that up

There is a problem of miscommunication with the previous owners .. I'm hearing some things but don't know for certain how they were with them. I mean its been mentioned that they used to sit on their owner's shoulders (mostly Fancy) and Chip would sing (which he hasn't yet) .. they loved being misted with water ... umm they did take a while to warm up to them but she used to just put her hand in and take them out and eventually they got over it. Thats the jist of it ...

A question - is it not a good idea do pick them up? Is it best to hold a tiel by letting them perch on your hand?