Co-Habitation

[teflondon]

Hello
I have a Senegal parrot, have had it for over 5 months but cant verify its real age, they used to be 2 but one escaped, and am thinking of getting another bird but would like to house them in the same cage, please i need ideas of birds that can stay on the same cage with a Senegal parrot. Thanks in advance

 

[thekarens]

That answer is simple: none.

Sennies generally don't even like birds of their own species, much less other species. I have 2 sennies that are siblings. They would gladly eat each other and they'd really like to eat my mac.

 

[SilverSage]

I would only ever house another Senegal with a Senegal. I have said it a hundred times and I will say it again; if you can afford two parrots you can afford two cages. Housing two species together in a cage is dangerous in 99% of situations, even if they are of similar sizes, even if they are friends, etc.

I may sound harsh, and I do not mean to, so I will tell you why I hold this opinion; research and experience. Research shows us that parrots are incredibly territorial animals, and that each species has unique ways of communicating, even though there are some commonalities. This means that they are programmed to defend thier territory, and also that they may not QUITE understand the signals the other bird is sending. In addition to that research also shows that hand raised parrots often lack communication skills even with their own species due to lack of natural interaction as a chick. This can lead to even more misuncpderstanding so between the parrots and. Thus violent outbursts that could even turn fatal. While I myself do not own a Senegal, there are members here that do and from what they say I understand that these birds have particularly strong and sharp beaks that can deliver very nasty bites for their size, meaning even a bird of the same size may not be able to defend himself against your senie.

Now for the experience. I got my very first bird because she tried to kill another bird that the owner brought home to share a cage with her. I have had birds lose their toes just for walking or climbing on other birds' cages. Why would you risk that?

Again, emphatically, if you can truly afford the care of two parrots, you can afford two cages. There are birds who live together, but with most species that needs to be THIER CHOICE, as in, they essentially begin refusing to live in their own cages. You forcing them is a recipe for dead birds.

 

[RavensGryf]

Poicephalus parrots as a general rule do not tolerate other birds. The ones that do are exceptions to the norm. That being said, even when two birds get along, the still need their own private retreat to go to when they want. Their OWN cage.

 

[SoCalWendy]

I have to concure with the other responces. Nothing worst then seeing one bird beat up another, or a fight. And there are absolutely no guarantees that cohabitation would be successful. If you go in to it, seperate cages and it works out that you can put them together and you have an extra cage, you can use the cage as an outside cage for nice weather days. But you may be hugely disappointed if you get your hopes up and it doesn't work out.

 

[teflondon]

Thanks a lot i appreciate your responses

 

[JamesC]

And thank you for asking before acting.

My current Senegal Sidney shares the same anti-bird view as the others detailed above. At best he tolerates the Blue Crowns being in the same room as him. Sometimes, like at this very moment, I can see him looking up at them on their playstand and I know from experience that he is about to fly at them. Usually just to knock one of them off the perch fortunately. So I paused a moment in writing this to snap him up and stuff him inside my sweatshirt.

Even my first Senegal Kelly, a super sweet and gentle bird with people, showed signs of wanting to go after some budgies in their cage when we housed some friends after an ice storm knocked out their power. She flew over and was stomping around on top of their cage all puffed up, glaring at the budgies who had the good sense to stay at the bottom until I picked her up.

And I can attest to the sharp power of their beaks cause Sidney has nailed my fingers a few times. He is extremely possessive over his toys and will attack if you try to take one. The cuts can go deep. I shudder to think of that beak clamped down on another bird's leg or wing.

 

[teflondon]

lately i have noticed my Senegal is always bobbing its body with the wings slightly raised during the act what sought of behavior is that

 

[SilverSage]

Begging. He is most likely begging for attention, or for food, or he is bored and needs a new toy to destroy.

 

[teflondon]

Hmm, it cant be food, cos i free feed my birds, probably attention cos they where 2, it was after the second one escaped i noticed the behavior

 

[teflondon]

pics of my bird

 

[thekarens]

Very handsome!

 

[Ann333]

Very pretty bird! Interesting cage as well.

 

[teflondon]

thanks...........................

 

[Stephanie100]

I was given two Sennies at seperate times. The first was not tame at all, but the second who arrived serval months later was very tame and always wanted to be with me. I kept them in seperate cages for a while and gradualy introduced them to each other (I was a naive parrot person!). Thankfully they sort of accepted each other and lived in the same cage for a while but never met up. They skirted around each other and if one was chasing the other they ran away.

I then moved them both into an outdoor aviary that was a lot larger than the indoor cage. Well, what a difference. They have now bonded and clean, and preen each other all the time. The only down side to this is that my friendly bird no longer wants anything to do with me as he now has a new girlfriend. He will bite me (but not my husband). Although I miss having the contact with him I am happy that they get on and now act like parrots, they are both very happy.

If you have another bird you may loose the companions ship of the one you have.