Is 2 birds better than one?

[kimmyj]

Hi every1 i have a little female ekkie n i spend a lot of time with her but i notice many people have lots of different birds and many of them, i was just wondering is it better to have 2 birds or more? i use to own a cockatiel he lived till he was 19 years old. we lost him on christmas eve and i got my bird ziggy in feb this year so she hasn't been around many other birds since i got her. is it a good thing to have 2 birds do they become friends. and do i have to get the same kind or can i get a different kind of bird and is there a good age to get another bird at or should i do it when ever?

 

[Spiritbird]

Many people have multi bird syndrome that is true. My experience has led me to saying one bird in a home is a very happy bird. If your relationship with your female Eckie is a good one and it sounds that way there is no need to split your attention and stress out the resident bird. Just a note it is better to get birds all from the same continent if you want them to get along. At least this is a theory.

 

[ZoeS]

I have always felt that two is better than one for friendly, flocking birds. I believe that they are more socially enriched when they can communicate with another (similar) bird, and that they feel safer (bigger flock) and happier (someone to hang with when you are at work).

However, i understand that there some species that "foresake all others" and bond strongly with one person OR bird and get jealous of and frustrated with anyone else... For this type of bird, yes, give all your attention to just the one,

 

[mtdoramike]

It is a big gamble. DON'T GET A SECOND BIRD FOR THE FIRST BIRD! With the idea that the first bird needs a friend or play mate. I think you will be highly disappointed. Yes, they could both get along, but it's more than likely they will not.

I have a male Eclectus and a Senegal. The Senegal wants to be friends with the Ekkie, but the Ekkie will have none of it and will attack the Senegal every chance he gets, which is rare since I don't allow them to play together. The senegal was the first bird here and the Ekkie came about 8 months later.

Also, talking about splitting time, I used to be my Senegal's favorite. But ever since I got the Ekkie, my Senegal has switched her affection to my wife. If I don't allow at least 15-30 minutes in between handling my Ekkie before interacting with my Senegal, my Senegal will bite the living you know what out of me. I don't mean that little warning nip to leave her alone, I mean that vicious bite that will sink her beak into my finger to the bone. She will literally reach out her beak as if to step up and then nail me and not just once, if I leave my hand there, she will bite me multiple times until I remove my hand.

Now if I allow enough time in between interaction, she is fine. So, my point to you is, if you have a good bond with your first bird and want to keep it that way, don't get a second bird.

Just my 1 1/2 cent worth.

 

[dishgal1]

I am kind of in the same boat you are. I have a yellow sided green cheek conure and we have an awesome relationship. I have always wanted to add a Sun conure but I am so afraid it will hurt our relationship with him. I would not want that to happen. We are retired so we are home all the time, now if we were gone during the day I would probably lean more to adding another bird if I thought he was lonely. That being said, I would not want to do anything to jeopardize our relationship the way it is. I am afraid he would be very jealous and not sure how he would react to having to "share" us. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[wenz2712]

I personally wouldn't get a second Bird as I know that my Amazon would not take very kindly to it! She gets jealous of other people having my attention, let alone another Bird.... She is very happy and this is the way I would like her to stay

 

[dishgal1]

Wenz I have to agree. My little sweetie is so happy and has his daily "routine".....if I am away for a couple of days, he stays with my daughter and her green cheek which he loves dearly. But when I return I pay the price for a few days. He gets beligerent for a few days. I would hate for him to resent me over adding a second bird. I Feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful relationship with him. I'm just not sure there is enough of me to go around. LOL

 

[wenz2712]

Wenz I have to agree. My little sweetie is so happy and has his daily "routine".....if I am away for a couple of days, he stays with my daughter and her green cheek which he loves dearly. But when I return I pay the price for a few days. He gets beligerent for a few days. I would hate for him to resent me over adding a second bird. I Feel very fortunate to have such a wonderful relationship with him. I'm just not sure there is enough of me to go around. LOL

I feel the same... When you have such a good relationship with your Bird, it would be such a shame to upset the applecart and make them resent you for introducing a new addition I think Codie has an obsession with me LOL

 

[terry52449]

I suddenly had an opportunity to get another U2 and thinking this would be nice for Cameo to have another U2 to socialize with I also new that they may not like each other. At first I thought they would do fine together since Cameo went to extremes to get into the other room to find Tasha in quarentine and sat on her cage most the day. But I think I screwed up their relationship by dividing attention between them while the other bird was there. So now I either give attention to them together or separately in separate rooms.
So, would I do this again? Yes!!!! In a heart beat. I would have done things a bit differently but I have a great relationship with both birds and Tasha is doing well with my wife. Still not completely trusting Tasha with Jean yet. But most of it is Jean making sure Tasha knows who is the dominate one.
I find that even though Tasha wants to bully Cameo they do find some companionship with each other when I am gone. Jean finds them klung to their cages yacking to each other and bobbing heads.

 

[dishgal1]

Also I think a lot depends on the type of person you are. I only have two grown children, my daughter has 5. She seems to have plenty of time and attention for all plus all of her pets. I am not so much like that,,,,,,,,,,hence I would probably be better off with one bird. We have a daily routine and he expects certain things at certain times. Don't think he would like cage time while I spend time with time other bird. Conures can be vengeful and they usually win, at least they think they do.
He is almost always in the middle of what I am doing, if you notice typos it is because he hops on the keyboard. LOL

 

[KatherineI]

Well, as it's been stated; never get a bird for your bird. That's like the person who gets a dog for their dog. It's still going to be your pet, you're still going to have to do all the work and care, so be sure that you want that second pet.

I got Loki 8 months ago. Our relationship was alright, not perfect. He was happy which is all that really matters. A little under 3 months ago I had the opportunity to bring a Goffins Cockatoo, into our flock. Sugar has been with us a month now. Loki is interested in her, he's also jealous of her and she wants nothing to do with him. I have to split my time between them, which isn't easy. Trying to not show favoritism is difficult as well, not because I have a favorite, but just so the perception isn't there that I do. I will say that when Loki wants attention now, he's way more snugly, way more happy vocal than he was prior to Sugars arrival.

 

[MaraWentz]

Okay since every one is saying no, I'm going to be the one who disagrees. I grew up with 7 parrots an took 2 into my home. Now, I have one. Let me tell you 7 is alot. Its a lot of fun, lot of work, lot of mess, lot of noise, but its also hectic and hard to divide attention. 2 was great, they stuck together, we took one to "pick out" the other bird, they had thier ups and downs, it gave one for my hubby and one for me to bond to. It was easy to care for and divide attention between. However, it was twice the nose and the mess. Now having one parrot it is much cheaper and easier tog give all my attention too, but being a working nanny of 3 kids, I don't have much attention to give, and personally I wold get a second bird, but I am renter and one bird is enough for a landlord. One bird allows me to spoil it to death and take it every where without being a huge nuisance. Two birds provide me with more company and differnt personalities. They're like kids pretty much and that does mean at the times they wont always get along. They will also be costly an headache giving and messy. But they will bring you joy. there are some parent who want one kid, some that want three and there's that 19 kids and counting show.Its your choice, you just have to have the funds and patience for it.

 

[ZoeS]

Oh yes, that is a good point - you have to be ready for the possibility that they will not get along.

I have two conures and they get along really well. Yes, my original gcc is less obsessed with me now that she has more friends, but that is ok. I don't WANT her obsessed with me. She is friends with everyone and that is ideal. If they choose to mate some day, i will dea with it, but currently they seem to prefer us slightly over each other.

 

[kimmyj]

thanks every1, i think ill just stick to my one beautiful ziggy. i have a dog so she sometimes comes down from her cage to sit with him n they just cuddle. We have a happy little house n i don't want to disturb that. Like many of you said they like to have a routine and i think if i changed that she would be mad at me.

 

[AllAboutQOL]

I have always felt that two is better than one for friendly, flocking birds. I believe that they are more socially enriched when they can communicate with another (similar) bird, and that they feel safer (bigger flock) and happier (someone to hang with when you are at work).

Apologies for bumping up something already discussed but I was having this discussion with a fellow breeder yesterday and was searching for opinions when this thread came up.

He agreed with the consensus here that one is better.

I disagree. I think we must think of what's best for the bird's quality of life (and not our own) and couldn't agree more with Zoe!

The problems people are experiencing are because the majority already have one bird before they think of adding another.

I think it is best to get two birds from the very beginning to avoid problems. You introduce them to each other and to their new surroundings at the same time, then neither bird has an advantage over the other and they are more likely to adapt together.

If you are a new bird owner looking to get your first bird follow Zoe's advice above and get two. Improve your chances of your birds getting along by getting them both young. If your birds are not young, that's no problem, just introduce them slowly (and in a neutral part of the house).

Bees, guinea pigs, cats, parrots etc are examples of social species. If you can't keep two, reconsider whether getting one at all is best (for the animal, not for you).

Disclaimer: my advice is for the average bird owner with a love for birds but with other commitments as well. Unless you are someone who lives alone and spends the majority of your time at home, this applies to you.

QoL

 

[Boysmom]

I agree with MTDORAMIKE as I had a Senegal then a Ekkie found me. The Ekkie ignored the senegal or would just scream at him to hush every time he spoke. It intimidated the senegal and he would hush for hours after. They were even housed in different rooms. The senegal only liked me and hated all males. He would only bite me if a man was around and was loving if no man was in the house. As I have a hubby and 4 sons that was bad in a painful way to my hands. He moved to a friends all female home and is now the happiest boy in the world. My experience is that senegals and ekkies might not be a good mix.

 

[WharfRat]

Well, guess I look at it a little different. For instance, let's say all we had were the Zon's, I would NOT be a very happy camper since they only "tolerate" me. The GW's more than make up for that since I at least am bonded to them. The Hahn's is a nippy lil thing as well to both of us, some days worse than others.

 

[dishgal1]

I did end up getting a second bird only because I have always truly wanted a Sun Conure.
I have had him 2 months now and I still can't let them play together because the GCC is so aggressive. I am afraid he will be hurt. It is double duty at our house. A lot more work and effort. I don't regret getting him because he is such a sweetie, but sometimes wonder why I complicated my life. LOL I do NOT have multi bird symdrome and find it hard to understand how some people can have so many birds and give them quality attention and still have time to work and run their household. I am working on a playroom for them so hopefully it will be neutral territory where they can eventually hang out sometime.
I do agree it is better to get two birds at the same time and let them grow up together but then you risk them not forming that unique bond with you rather the other bird.

 

[Trina]

I have a sun conure, however i also wanted an eclectus, I started with the sun. I love both my birds I work from home divide my time, my eclectus can always see me when i am working from my desk i talk to her alot and the conure screeches alot.

I found it easy to divide time i normally have my conure all morning long, while the eclectus is drying off after her morning shower and eating by the time she gets noisy the conure is through with me LOL and wants to go back to his cage and play area.

However mine are on schedule, the conure is fed first and his cage cleaned when i am done, my eclectus knows and she actually goes to her perch in front of her bowls and she waits patiently while i clean her bowls get her food and while she is eating i am cleaning her cage.

Throughout the day the eclectus is always talking non stop, she has come out of her shell and really talking and mimicking noises.

However I don't allow my sun conure and eclectus to be really close, because at times my sun conure can be annoying and if he annoys her, he is in trouble because she has attitude to LOL

Right now however the conure, screechin and the eclectus is mocking him, I guess they are talking to each other LOL

 

[WharfRat]

when we got our last 4, they were all kind of "back to back" within 2-3 months of each other. Of the 4, all but 3 turned 1 year old within the past 2 months and one last BDay in a couple of weeks.