Another Bird -Good idea?

[Lacewood]

Hi , I have a beautiful red bellied conure, still young -under a year. I have made a large play gym and have a large cage indoors with another play gym on top. Pepper likes getting out and human contact, (a hen)
My question is I see many with two birds , not looking for a mate at all but i was considering a second bird for pepper to also have bird interaction with plus I have the infrastructure and time. Is it a bad move? will I loose the contact I have , will it mess up the age she's at - she s pretty good doesn't nip , will sit on shoulders and loves head pats, even interacts with grand daughter 2years, with out malus or fear. Granddaughter is very closely supervised.
I was considering another hand reared pearl conure' I have had budgies and peach face over my life but conures are a first to me - such a sweet little bird, and the biggest parrot I have had. think I have found the perfect type of bird.
Just don't want to loose our connection ,but love seeing the birds play and still have human connection.

would be interested in advice,

 

[GaleriaGila]

Fortunately (unfortunately?) the Rb is so aggressive and territorial that I've never even dared to think of another bird...
Many here have found that they have to separate birds permanently... some have been fortunate and multiple birds get along.
You just never know! Never, ever.
Good for you for being so responsible and serious, and for reaching out!
I think that as long as you're willing to deal with whatever happens (e.g., separating them, if needed, handling added expenses, etc.), you'll be a great parront.
I'm sure others will have some thoughts to add on facilitating the adding of a bird, including quarantine ideas.
Please keep us posted!

 

[Lacewood]

Great information , ill research more , I'd rather stay single if it going to cause issues , - don't mean I'm getting rid of my husband but I don't need to get another bird..

 

[noodles123]

There is no way to know if they will get along. They might hate each other to the point of not being safe out of the cage at the same time. They might also end up loving each other too much to where it gets hormonal etc.
Unless you can imagine giving 2 birds out-of-cage time and interaction in totally separate spheres (at different times, in different rooms---worst-case-scenario) then I wouldn't do it.
One of the other major issues is that your bird is still super young, so its personality/preferences will change a lot and the last thing you want to do is introduce a new bird right as puberty approaches--- you could end up with a lot of frustrated behaviors, or become the "3rd wheel".
It could end up being a TON more work for you, so if you really want another bird for YOU, then do it, but not without first considering how much more difficult your life may become if they do not get along or if they become sexually involved. It could also work out perfectly, but it's a huge gamble.
keeping more than one bird has its inherent risks (from disease, to injury, to behavioral issues). Many people have numerous birds without issue, but many people also have multiple birds and can't figure out why their bird is screaming constantly etc (when it is sometimes related). There are also posts about birds attacking other birds when they have never had apparent issues before.

Vigilance is key, but it would be easy to let your guard down if 2 birds seemed to get along. Even then, sometimes things happen very quickly. It certainly makes me nervous...

 

[ParrotGenie]

No way to tell if they would get along and can seriously hurt each other if they don't. I would take it slow if you get another bird and separate cages and slowly let them out to play while supervised closely, any hint of aggression separate them.

 

[Lacewood]

thanks helped me make a decision - just staying with one bird. not risking health of Pepper nor taking chances.
thanks for advice

 

[RemiBird]

Wise decision.
Conures are so territorial and stubborn. You just never know.

 

[YSGC]

Everyone's different, but this person wants no additional competition for Pico's affection.

Besides the other reasons mentioned, that's the main reason I'd never get a second bird.

 

[Casper223]

Lacewood, you got some seriously great advice from so many members, let me say something about that that I like, These guys are so great at thinking out of the box, and giving so many different thoughts. So I was thinking about my reply as I was reading everyone else replies, and my thoughts were more on the idea of would the birds bond and leave you out in the cold, Which I just recently read a great article about that, but instead they covered all the basis of bird to bird reaction, birds screaming for no apparent reason and so much more. Every time I think of one example, these guys look at their replies in a full circle, and that's why I love this forum so much. Anyway I was reading a book recently "Summer Light" was the Author, and it was a guide to free flying your birds. Now summer talks about having more than one bird, and the pro's and con's, as usually the first thing the owner (Parent) questions is the idea that the birds bond to each other and leaves the parent (Owner) out in the cold. Her reply was spend equal time with both birds, equal activities, and usually when an owner (Parent) gets a second bird its for companionship of the birds so the Parent can get more free time, in doing so the birds often bond to each other and refuse the companionship with the owner (Parent) because the parent isn't spending time with them, so then the relationship has to be re-established again if the situation changes. However, the bird to bird interaction is most importantly the issue. I cringe when I see pictures of like a Macaw and a parakeet, Finch, lovebird playing together in such close vicinity. I think Dang, Thats a big Beak, and it only takes just one aggressive act, and this could be tragic. But then again, say two conures decide to fight, it doesn't take much to draw blood one or the other or even both, These guys don't have much blood for their body frames as say a human. It's quite possible that death can occur pretty quickly with a bleeding injury. Quick story, I was 12 years old, and had a cockatiel. The cockatiel was flying through the house lol, but it was a sudden stop on a window frame that scared me. When I picked him up, blood was dripping, and he broke the tip of his beak on the crash. this was almost 45 years ago....My parents weren't home, we lived in the country environment. I called my mothers Vet, explained to his receptionist I was 12 and had no way of getting the bird there, She (back in the day) immediately got the vet to the phone, and the vet walked me through cauterizing the beak, and I could hear the urgency in his voice to get it done, as he stated the bird didn't have a lot of blood to loose, and the blood was readily dripping. (End of Story) Hopefully this helps, as I can think of a few scenarios of my personal experience, these guys think full circle and cover all the bases. I see you've made a decision, and am happy you were able to at least get so many replies to make a good informed decision.

 

[birdlover12345]

My sun conure and alexandrine live pretty much side by side and although I wouldn't say they are best friends there is never anything more than a bit of squawking at each other if the conure gets in the way of the bigger bird. The cage is always open but it is very much the alexandrine's. The conure never goes in there. They have their accustomed perches at night and as long as the conure keeps a respectful distance nothing bad ever happens.