Hyacinth and/or macaw owners: Should I get him a friend

[micha43]

I have a 9 year old hyacinth male. I have posted a few pics on here before... Over the last couple months my wife and I have been toying with getting Ichabod a "friend." We would house them in separate cages when the time comes to be in the cage but obviously would be more to give Ichabod a friend for the rest of his and my days. I am more intrigued to get another male if I do, which I have found a beautiful and well mannered 7 yr old male, because I do not want to promote them to breed and lose the companionship and loving pet I have already. I will always agree that each and every bird and no 2 situations are alike but based on my theory here who would have some input as to whether this would be a good idea to do? Understanding that I do have a 9 year old(almost 10) who has been by him self all his years with me would this be too dramatic? Has he been alone too long? Are 2 males traditionally not a good idea? I have a lot of experience with my bird and he is as healthy as can be so don't think my education for owning a hyacinth isn't there but I will openly admit he has been my one and only macaw I have ever had. We have the space and time for 2 of them, I just don't want this to turn into a situation where I'm forced to rehome the new one due to compatibility. Thank you anyone here for any help and comments

 

[MikeyTN]

Willie have been with us for 10 years now and for the first 9 years he's been the only macaw. He does NOT like Lola! There's other birds around and he's fine with them. But by introducing another macaw upset him at the beginning but he's fine with her there but they won't get on the same play stand. One or both wants me to pick them up to get as far from each other as possible. Lola have been with us for almost a year now.

 

[MacawLoverOf3]

Because Hy's are so (usually) gentle natured and you add in the flock nature, I feel that Hy's actually do better if they have the opportunity to have a friend of their own kind.

Granted, you never know how they will get along until you put them in the same house but you already understand that just like having 2 males together might not work but until you try, you will never know for sure.

Seeing that you have had Ichabod for many years, not like you just got him, and just want to get another Hy for the "look at me, I can afford another one" factor, I would go forward and get the other little guy especially if that one is well mannered.

Hopefully you will be wondering why you had not added another one sooner.

GO FOR IT!