Getting Another Conure

[Mriley1342]

Hello,

I'm contemplating getting another conure to keep her company while my boyfriend and I are at work.

I've heard mixed reviews about getting two conures. There is a Jenday who is 3 months old I'm considering bringing home. Is this a good idea? I have two cages (the one Aleta is in is very large -4'x2'x4') and a more normal medium-size bird cage. I understand it would not be a good idea (if ever) to put the birds in the same cage, but I would love to here the forum's suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

The thing that most people say is to only buy a bird if you want another bird. So if you want another bird go for it, if you are getting a second bird only to benefit your current bird think it over again.

If you do decide to bring in another find out were you will keep the second bird during quarantine so if it ends up being sick you won't have 2 sick birds on your hands. It's also highly recommended to get some testing done during the Qt period.

 

[Mriley1342]

Thanks and good points. I definitely do want another bird I just heard that green cheeks can be very possessive and a person should not get a second one.

I can put the new bird in one of the rooms, but what do you tested? Tested for what?

Thanks

 

[Featheredsamurai]

You'll want to do a new bird check up at a avian certified vet, they'll test for things liked beak and feather, psittacosis, and other diseases. Birds can easily hide illness. Pet stores often test for psittacosis in larger birds, but then they have their birds exposed to other parrots, such as budgies who they don't get tested so you should still do it.

 

[MonicaMc]

Welcome to the forum!

I had one conure and got a second, hoping my first conure could learn to be... well, a conure! It didn't work out so well and the two never got along... but I was also prepared for that possibility. I had hoped that the two could "live together" (i.e. same room, not necessarily same cage), but in the end, they lived in separate rooms. They were the complete opposites in likes and dislikes! I only have one now, and wish I had a second!


It's really up to you and what you feel comfortable with. Beyond what the others have said, I will mention that it is possible for the two species to hybridize, so it may be a good idea to know the sex of both birds. Hybrids between green cheeks and suns (similar species to jenday) tend to not be very healthy birds and are often born with birth defects, high chick mortality rates or may even die early due to cancer (before a year in age). That said, some hybrids have grown into young adults.

Just wanted to put that out there in case that issue ever comes up - be prepared!

 

[Echo]

I would recommend to get another Green Cheek, or else another Conure roughly the same size. GCCs can be feisty and bossy and can get hurt if you get a bigger bird.... Just something to consider if they end up not getting along as well as you hoped they would.