a good start

[Owlet]

I think

So I decided to try introducing Apollo and Lincoln today. I gave them both some distractions such as cardboard and Lincoln's chop topper. Apollo started by just playing with the card board while Lincoln ate but Apollo got interested in the topper and threw himself into it. Lincoln seemed confused but didnt seem to care much, I removed the topper though and gave Lincoln some eggs mixed with cinnamon and another spice. Apollo ran in Lincoln's direction and Lincoln ran away which I'm not sure how I feel about that though. Apollo then went after Lincoln's tail in a playful manner but I may or may not have panicked a little and grabbed Apollo, spooking them both, ended the session there and let Lincoln finish his eggs and Apollo give a break. Here's some pics, I had one hand on the phone the other ready to separate if need be...

 

[EllenD]

The look on Lincoln's face is priceless..."What is that?"

 

[ChristaNL]

I always love the way Lincoln looks part toucan: he is *so* colourfull.

 

[Scott]

Looking great! Lincoln is thinking "oh, so that's a cockatiel. Read about them in school!"

 

[Owlet]

No clear signs if aggression but I'm not sure where I go from here. I want to eventually have it so maybe they could hang out on the same play stand (though Lincoln's pvc stand might be too big for Apollo...)

 

[EllenD]

Just have to take it very slow and let things progress at "their pace", but under your complete and total supervision...And if "their pace" turns into fighting and such, then you've got to learn what their limits and boundaries are. It might work out, it might not...As I'm typing this I'm having to tell Bowie to stop landing on Kane's (Senegal) stand, because Kane likes only Kane and mama, that's it, and Kane can rip Bowie's beak off if he wants to. You'd think that the smaller birds would be afraid of the larger ones, especially the larger ones that don't like them, lol, but nope...Every single day we push the issue, it's like a stand-off that I have to supervise over.

There is no rhyme or reason at all as to which birds like each other and get along, and which birds will kill each other if left alone together...It's very much the same as how people interact and come together with each other, or just really dislike each other...Opposites often do attract, as in the case of Bowie, my male Green Cheek, and Lita, my female Quaker. They love each other and are always together...But Kane and Duff, the Cockatiel, are loners who want nothing to do with anyone but me and that's it. (Well, that's not true anymore, Duff loves the Dove now too, which again is really odd and makes no sense at all)...

Just take it slow, at their pace, don't try to force it or push them together because if they're not ready it won't end well...They may very well learn to love each other and be able to be together all the time, or they might not. But I'd say that after only a week or two they're doing pretty well. Also keep in-mind that Lincoln has had you all to himself his entire time being there, and in that situation it is usually more difficult for the bird who was alone with their "person" for a long period of time than it is for the new bird...The new birds are typically the ones who are like "Awesome! Another bird lives here! I'm going to go preen him and I bet he'll preen me! Yay!", because they aren't feeling any of the jealousy that the bird that has already bonded with you and had you all to themselves does. So it's important that you purposely make an effort to pay attention to Lincoln whenever all 3 of you are together, so he knows that Apollo is not "competition", because if he percieves him that way, that is usually what makes it impossible for them to bond, or to at the very least tolerate each other to the point that they can hang-out together safely.