First time kakariki owner!

[Kiwithekakariki]

Hi everyone I've never owned any species of bird before so I am a complete newbie! Really enjoying my kakariki, he's shy but we're taking taming slowly, little by little as I have read this is the best way not to spook him!

We got just the one bird Thinking it would be easier to tame, but I'm starting to wonder if he should have a friend, he was housed with a budgie at the pet shop, would this slow down the process of taming or even make it impossible? I'm out the house all day so as much as I want him to bond with me, I want him to be happy and I wondered if a friend would be the right approach to this...

If it is should it be another male or a hen?? Any advice or help would be amazing!

Thank you!!!

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you!

 

[Freebird1969]

Hi and welcome :04:

Kakariki's are the acrobats of the bird world, they need very large cages as they are so active and very quick flyers! Really they are best suited to an aviary, but can make good house pets given the right environment and enrichment, they are not birds that like to sit on you and be petted.

They are however beautiful birds and will love to be flying round you all the time, being extremely playful. They also have a lovely sound. I would definitely recommend another kakariki as a companion if you are out during the day, also a large aviary cage if you don't already have one. I would recommend the opposite sex, 2 males have a tendency to fight.

I'm sure you will get hours of fun with them.

 

[Kiwithekakariki]

That's what I read about them and made me fall in love with him at the shop I don't expect him to be cuddly but just brave enough to explore the area without being frightened, right now I let him out as soon as I'm home but he remains nearby his cage at all times, occasionally he goes out a bit further but he quickly returns to the top of his cage!

Thank you for your advice I'll look into a new hen to keep him company

 

[Scott]

Welcome to you and your kakariki!! My mom had several decades ago, and I recall they were beautiful and affectionate. They were in an aviary, not hand tame, but would land on her and allow her to touch them. It seems a companion would be best!