Friend for a Macaw

[Sebie]

New to this forum and I need some guidance to help me avoid doing something really dumb. I adopted a ten year old male blue and gold macaw six months ago, it started out rough but we adapted to one another and now he is a really nice bird. I work all day and he is left alone for ten to twelve hours a day and I was thinking of getting him a companion, there seem to be plenty of candidates around. Just wondering what the do's and don'ts are - do males get along with one another, do they need separate cages, is there a chance they will they fight or harm one another? In his prior home he had a female friend but they were in separate cages and I don't know if they got along or not. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[plumsmum2005]

Have you considered another species rather than a B&G? Separate cages but still some company? This does need a lot of thought though. I am sure others will chip in, in due course.

In the meantime, toys, toys and more toys are the answer. Do you know anyone that can pop in during the day to refresh food and water etc, friend/family?

Sorry hello and welcome btw.

 

[Kiwibird]

Welcome! It sounds like you and your macaw are off to a great start in your bonding. There are many great threads on how to strengthen this bond and how to help your bird stay entertained while you work Toys and foraging, TV and radio... lots of ways to occupy the avian mind! Parrots are very adaptable to work schedules, so long as you make time for them every day and keep them on a routine so they know what to expect (oh, dad gets home at 6:00 and takes me out to play with me, I'll look forward to that all day while I forage and play with the toys he gave me!).

While it may seem like a logical choice, never buy your bird a "friend". There is absolutely no guarantee they will actually like each other, even if they are the same species and opposite genders or whatever else may apply to other animals. Parrots can be rather territorial creatures and can be especially defensive over their perceived "mate" (i.e. you) but they can also become bonded to the other bird and neither one wants anything to do with you. OR the birds could become good buddies and both love you and it's a great scenario for everyone. You just never know which way that scenario would go and you could end up creating new issues. Except in the case of breeder birds (and no, you definitely do not want to breed your pet bird), parrots should always be caged separately. If YOU want another bird, or you see a bird you can't help but help, those are reasons to get another bird, but please don't buy your current bird a buddy for no other reason than you think he should have one.

 

[wrench13]

Yep toys , toys, foraging toys and more toys. Remember 2x the # of birds means 2x the expense, 2x the noise , 2x the mess and each will only get 1/2 your time. If your working or out of the house 10-12 hrs a day, you barely have enough time to keep an active macaw happy and interested in you. Now you want to cut that in 1/2? and there is no guarantee the new bird will get along with this one, they may HATE each other, or be jealous of the others time with you.

Is you mac plucking? or showing other signs of stress or unhappiness? I say come home, let that B&G out, and never leave his side til bed time.

Also think about a video link, like skype - yes parrots can see monitors and recognize faces and voices. Wouldn;t it be nice to skype with your Macaw at lunch time?

 

[Taw5106]

Toys and puzzles for sure. I have three parrots and none of them are nice to each other so they stay separated, I let one out of their cage at a time. I don't believe you can get a potential friend and it be a winner so that's my warning. However my parrots do get involved in sound contests, lol.


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[PrimorandMoxi]

I am in the same boat as taw5106.
We have three that do not get along.

it is a ton of work.
I would love to get a "friend" for our B&G but can only imagine the scenario where they don't get along.

what i do like though is that when we are not at home they are not in isolated silence.
i also like that when I "shuffle off this mortal coil" they will already have had interactions in a multiple bird household.

 

[Taw5106]

I am in the same boat as taw5106.
We have three that do not get along.

it is a ton of work.
I would love to get a "friend" for our B&G but can only imagine the scenario where they don't get along.

what i do like though is that when we are not at home they are not in isolated silence.
i also like that when I "shuffle off this mortal coil" they will already have had interactions in a multiple bird household.

Mine have their own iPod. It's an old iPod that just keeps going and we turn it on for them if we leave the house. We laugh because it has a back for playing Christmas music, but it keeps my parrots entertained if we leave the house. We load them up with toys too. They stay busy.


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[Sebie]

Thanks for the advice and words of wisdom. My bird is reasonably well adjusted in spite of the limited attention he gets from me, but he does have plenty of toys and there is always something going on in the house. I was thinking he might be happier with a full time companion but I can see that there are big time down side risks so maybe I will leave well enough alone. Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice.

 

[Billdore]

I play audio books for my Timneh. She seems to settle into her pellets and nutri berry when I leave sometimes I give her two nutri berries she loves em. I've thought about adding to my flock but I don't think Queen Timneh would allow it, and shes a flock bird. Your majesty wants all of my time.