I think it's very possible to tame them.

Start by feeding them long strips of millet - through the bars of the cage if necessary. Then feed them through an open door. Then hold the millet a little closer.

This might take a lot of time, but it's well worth it.

Also, one bird might be easier to work with than the other, but if that's the case, go ahead and work more with him/her because the other bird will surely be watching.

I would purchase a wood ladder with the rough (cement) dowels to use as a perch, since I find that my birds feel a lot more secure on the ladder than a single perch. Hold the ladder with one hand and work on getting your bird onto that ladder while training with millet.

None of my birds would step up onto the ladder willingly, but have all learned to do so after flying down onto the floor. It's how I get them back up onto or into their cages before they are tamer. And don't forget to say "step up" while you nudge them from behind onto it, but don't actually touch them when you do this! Just place one hand several inches behind them while nudging the ladder under their little feet. If you bring your "rear" hand too close, the bird will probably just flutter away from fear, but if you move your hand slowly towards the back of your bird, he will likely step up onto the ladder as the "better option."

Then offer some millet and move VERY slowly back towards the cage. It will be a while before your bird will willingly "hang out" with you.

 

One more thing, I placed a rope perch "across" the door of their cage (inside). Bend it and screw it in on either side of the door.

After a while, my bravest birds will hop onto that perch when I get near the cage. It's obvious that they want "out" or "millet" or both! LOL

 

Bird Lover, thanks for the encouragement and practical advice.
I'll be trying all your suggestions.
This site is a great resource!

 

I have always found that birds kept together bond to each other, they take interest in you as you bring the food and they are smart, but they bond to each other when kept in pairs. Birds kept for pets or teaching tricks or talking need to be kept alone, then they see you as their mate and will perform for your attention and maybe even mimic your words or sounds if you whistle. I have never owned a parrotlet before but have had a lovebird a budgie and a african grey and this has been the rule with each of those species.

ed

 

if p'lets are kept together they are likely to bond with each other although some end up hating each other too. from what i've heard it's best to house them in separate cages if you really want them to bond to you. i believe they can be in the same room so they have company but not the same cage. if you're happy with them bonded to each other than you could keep them together and enjoy them that way but if you want to tame them i think it's easier if you separate them.