Mine are tame, one in particular seems to prefer hanging out with me over his brother. They're 8 wks old and I got them as hatchlings. They don't seem to be able to grab hold of your finger to "perch" like chickens (or my Dove). Mine sits on my flat hand just fine though. Hops all around me and watches me on the computer. I reach out and pet him and he 'talks' to me. He's a cool bird.
They won't perch. They will sit in your hand or you can hold them, but they prefer (as most birds) to have their feet supported or against something. That also means they can use that to launch themselves, so you have to be careful.
I've been able to tame them with mealworms. Just find out what they like and it shouldn't be a problem to get them to come to you. Eventually, you can use a word as you give them the treat and they will associate the word with the treat.
They aren't the brightest birds though. I prefer to say they are "more instinctual"...haha! Being around them goes a long way.
I think my coturnix are pretty tame, but then someone else will come into the bird room and I realize that they are just used to me and aren't afraid of me, specifically. I have budgies and a lovebird in the same room so I'm in there a lot playing and talking with the cage birds. I also service all the cages everyday so I'm around a lot.
Just like any bird, time and patience will go a long way. Each bird's personality also plays a role. Some will never get tame just because of their personality. Sometimes you get a really special bird. That's the kind that's dangerous because they make you get more!
this thought of taming quail sounds fab i love it alot! i am gently nudging my hubby into geting an incubater for hatching some chicks next year, i know my 4year old would love it.
my adult buttons will sit on my shoulders but NOT while i walk they cant grip like a parrot. but while im sitting down they will climb up my chest onto my shoulders when they were babies i would put them on the floor in a small animal playpen and take them and set them on my lap then feed them on my lap and give them treats like meal worms and dried crickets.
(the date on this pic is way off!)
I know when you get a parrot you will probably want a male bird. Maybe you would want to tame a male bird cos then you could divert its affection on to you.