I want another parrot! :>

[Safira]

As the title says, I have got it into my head to get a second parrot. Its between an African Grey (baby) or if I can rescue a Green Wing Macaw (need to visit said rescue first.)

A little background information!

I have had Safira, my Blue and Gold Macaw since October. She hatched last June so she'll be a year old soon. Still very very young in parrot terms, and she's still very much a baby. She has a HUGE corner cage in my living room, and a smaller 'sleep' cage in my office.

The Plan: My original intention when I decided to bring birds into my home (That already has 3 very large dogs) was to own 3 total. I know exactly what I want. A blue and gold macaw (Have) a greenwing macaw (want) and an African Grey (want.)

The Reason: I feel bad that Safira is the only bird in my house hold. They are flock animals and need companions. I do NOT want her to share a cage, or become overbonded with another bird over me. That being said I do want her to have another bird to talk to, scream with, and hopefully get along with enough to share a java tree.

It is my belief that animals are happier when they have 'friends.' Meaning someone of their own species. It's why I have 3 dogs, they get love and attention from me then go into WWF mode for 3 hours in the living room playing 3 way tug of war. That's fine, I love to watch them play.

Safira has settled in, has a nice routine but is not so set in it that I can't change it. She'll adapt nicely (I hope.)

Now the hard part, the CAG or the GW! Keep in mind eventually I will have both.

So, I was thinking I could purchase a baby african grey. The breeder where I got Safira has some that just hatched. I could put a deposit on him and start moving Safira's corner cage into the office where the "bird room" will be. Her 'Sleep cage" will become the Grey's cage, since it's too small for me to want to put a GW in it. So cage would already be had.

I would like to rescue the green wing. There is a rescue that may have one, and I'm going to go up and look before I make a decision of which to get first. I think it'd be easier bringing a rescued green wing into a home with the 2 babies.

.. Or would it be easier to bring a baby CAG into a home with two macaws?

Cons: I'd have to buy a new macaw cage before I could bring home the GW. I've been keeping my eye out for a nice big used one, or a good sale on a new one.

Pros: I already have a cage for the CAG, so I just need the bird and some new toys.

Gah..

Decisions Decisions... and random LONG post. But darn it I can't make up my mind on which I want first!

 

[roxynoodle]

I'm not sure it matters which you get first. My birds all seem to enjoy each other, but they are also all about halfway through their lifespans. I wasn't sure bringing home a baby bird would go over as well with my 12 year old Nanday.

In fact I'd say my Nanday was perfectly happy at first as an only bird. She was quite jealous at first of the Blue Crown when I brought her home. Eventually they became friends. Then after being together for more than a decade, she got very depressed when the BC passed away, and now enjoys being with other birds.

Just be prepared that your baby may not be thrilled at first to have a birdy sibling. And they may or may not get along in time. If they don't, you will have to give them each their separate time with you, and maybe have 2 Java trees or play gyms.

 

[Safira]

I already have 2 playstands, and plan to purchase one of the big Java trees. So if they don't get along they can have seperate play areas. I wouldn't have them out without my supervision either though. Most of my animals are accident prone.

I think I'll get the CAG. I really want one, always have. I have one macaw already and can wait for the second while I save up for a good stainless cage a GW won't be able to break.

Besides, I keep reading everyones posts about their grays and it just makes me want one more!

 

[roxynoodle]

I am very much enjoying my new Grey, and the other 2 birds like her as well. Pete thinks she's the prettiest thing he's ever seen, and Rowdy loves her imitations. She settled right in like she'd always been here.

 

[Safira]

Aww. Safira will probably not be so thrilled. But she thinks she's a dog anyway, so if worse comes to worse she can find friendship with the puppies. I don't expect a Grey and a Macaw to get along really well, I just don't want constant lunging/attacking. Thankfully she's still a baby, and very easy going.

 

[roxynoodle]

Merlin was with a GW macaw in her former home for more than 2 decades. They got along fine from what I've seen and heard. She was also with an amazon, and the previous owners did say she was the top bird, not the macaw.

 

[Spiritbird]

Good reading https://companionparrotonline.com/another_parrot.html

 

[Safira]

Yes, I read that already. Its a good website. I also like this article One Bird or Two.