Effects of a mate?

[miloslave]

Hi everybody.

I have a 2 year old mustache parakeet male which moonlights as my baby. I have had him since he was 5 weeks old and he is very well bonded to me. Goes to the shop with his mommy and has even gone camping. Calls me the moment I go out of sight as well. Unfortunately, like all of us do, I have to work, and he is at home alone, although I do leave the radio on during the day to keep him company. I have recently been searching for a female of about the same age for him, and unbelievebly found one, which, believe me, in South Africa is not easy as they seem to be very scarse and unknown here. BUT.... I am afraid that I will lose my bond with him, that he will stop talking, and as the female is aparantly not tame, he will become wild. He is my first and only birdie, so I tend to investigate everything well before reaching a decision. The petshop is keeping the female for me until the weekend only. Any advice would be seriously appreciated.

 

[Anna]

Well, one of two things is going to happen. Either he will not want to bond with the female because he is your baby or he will bond with the female and your bond with him will be lessend. You will never totally lose your bond with him but if he pairs up with this female it will be lessend. So, either be prepared for having two birds in separate cages or giving up a bit of time with him if he decides to pair up with this female. Every bird is different, but that is usually what happens.

 

[miloslave]

Thank you for your response.

Have you found that they stop talking if they bond with the other bird? Would it be better for him if I get a completely different breed, rather than a mate of the same species?