Does he need a friend?

[cbsfusek]

Hi,
My mom has a cockatiel that never became all that tame. He loves the company of people and loves to be whistled and talked to but he prefers to be independent and to be left in his large flight cage (and gets very cage aggressive). I know tiels are naturally very social so I am curious if getting him a companion tiel would be a good idea. The reason I am not so sure is that he is 11 years old and while when I lived there I did have a conure that he "chatted" with, he's never been housed with another bird. While he doesn't seem UNhappy--he forages a lot during the day, there is a lot of activity in the room he is kept, he has a great diet and just loves to whistle as soon as you come into the living room --I think he could be happier. I assume he is bored, since he never comes out of his flight cage. I know tiels live a long time, but is he too stuck in his routine to be welcoming of another bird, or is it worth a shot? Of course, there would be an appropriate introduction period to give it the best chance of working out. And I know of course there are no guarantees, but is there a good or bad chance for that to work?
(And I know if my mom were to work with him he could become tame, but she is more interested in finding him a friend as she has been very busy with work lately. I asked if rehoming him would be possible but she says she would like to keep him and is worried that moving would be too stressful for him).
Any thoughts on the matter would be great thanks!

Chelsea

 

[MikeyTN]

Welcome to the forum!

Cockatiels do appreciate the presence of other Cockatiels! But if you guys want to try to tame him, by getting another one may or may not be a good idea. It may be a good idea cause if the new one is tamed, he can follow suit or he may not. There can be aggression but you just never know. Best to keep them separate at the beginning if you were to think about putting two together. You need to keep them separate to begin with anyways for quarantine reason. Majority of the time I would say they would probably get along perfectly fine, but only on few occasions where I am forced to separate tiels apart, especially when there's pairs involved. But with just two, I don't for see that to be too much of an issue.

 

[cbsfusek]

Thank you! I am glad to hear it may work just fine. Does sex matter? I certainly don't want babies, but it seems like a male and female may get along more naturally. Maybe not though?
And yeah, I don't think she has the time at this point to tame him so I think she just wants to do whatever will make him happiest the quickest. Though she does know not to rush introductions.
Thanks again!

 

[MonicaMc]

I've cared for a total of 8 cockatiels, but only one was a young, hand raised bird when I got her. The rest have been adults. I rehomed 3 to new homes where I thought they'd be happier (to three different homes), and lost one due to health complications, so I have 4 now. One male and three girls.

One of the girls doesn't really get along with the other cockatiels, but she accepts them as a flock.


Even if your mothers tiel doesn't get along with another tiel, he could still enjoy the company of one, male or female.

 

[MikeyTN]

Just like Monica says, either sex would be fine! If you don't want babies then another male would be a wise choice.

 

[cbsfusek]

Okay great. You guys have been very helpful! I will start looking for a friend for him. I also figured he would like the company of another bird simply because he and the budgie that I once had would chatter back and forth for hours at a time. So Monica, I think you're right!
Thank you both