Amazon meets Little Conure: Help!

[sarafigal]

In brief: Queequeg (older rescue BFA) has been with us a month and is doing really well: she takes treats from all of our hands, but does not want to be touched. She is free all day and climbs in and out of her cage, and onto a java stand--but not beyond this domain. She has one clipped wing at present. In a good mood, she chats with me. In a bad mood, she is very clear about the "leave me alone now!" signals. I have now trained her to step up onto a wooden dowel and move away from her cage--anything for a nutriberry. She wasn't terrifically well nourished in her most recent phase of life, judging by her feathers.

Last week, we took in a 2+ year-old GCC, who had been in a family with many kids and about 9 larger birds (Grays, 'Toos, and a couple of Sun Conures). Little Cyrus was totally overlooked, but he is also totally unintimidated by anyone. He is a little snuggle bug, who likes best to be on a shoulder with me or one of my kids.

So now my question: Cyrus the Conure wants to go and play with Queequeg the Amazon. He marches over to her cage and starts to climb up. I intervene, because Quee is very quick to mood swings, and I have no idea how she might react. It seems she really likes birds--she has climbed into the budgies' flight cage and spent a quiet afternoon more than once. Of course, the budgies just stare at the Green Giantess for a few moments and then go back to singing and preening. They don't bother Quee, Quee doesn't t bother them. She just wanted some bird time, I guess. For what it's worth, she is also totally unfazed by the dogs, who can stick their noses into her beak or tail without reprimand.

Cyrus clearly wants to join Quee in her world of cage-and-table-perch. I'm afraid for him. Any advice? I hate to prevent a potential bird friendship, especially if it would help Quee feel loved within a flock. But the size difference scares me. How do birds of different sizes usually "meet'?

 

[Birdlover11]

If you want to make them be together first put your gcc on you hand and put your hand somewhere the amazon can see it. Look and see if the amazon shows any signs of aggression , you want to make sure your gcc is at a safe distance so if the amazon does not like him and snaps at him he won't be able to reach him, remember, one small snap or bite could kill a bird as small as a gcc. If the amazon does not show any signs of aggression move him a little close again and give her a treat. If your amazon doesn't show any signs of agression keep moving them closer again and again. Don't forgot to give the amazon a treat as this will mean that having another bird with it is a good thing.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I personally would be very careful. Of course it COULD be possible that Quee and your GCC get along splendidly, but is it worth taking the risk and finding out (possibly the hard way)?

Both my Amazons "appear" to be unafraid of my B&G Macaw, but I will NEVER let them get near enough to find out what could happen because all it takes it one good nip and one of my zons could lose a limb or worse.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[sarafigal]

Thanks to both of you. JerseyWendy, you are confirming what I thought. I see pics from time to time of mixed size bird friends, but the risk here is too high. I'll keep them apart.

 

[KBEquine]

We have 4 parakeets & 5 parrots. Two of the 'keets are cage-birds, two love to fly. But they get "out" time before the big birds are in the room - the little guys are too brave and would be in too much trouble, if one of the big guys take offense at the little ones' cheekiness.

I keep them separate, just in case.

 

[melissasparrots]

I would not allow the conure anywhere near the amazon. Itsa recipe for disaster.