Is this true?

[JaxAttack]

The last time I took Jax to the vet she asked me if I have another bird or take Jax to socialize with other pet parrots. She said that it is important for parrots to preen each other and so on. Otherwise they think they are human and bad behavior starts. Is this true?
I know most of the people here have multiple parrots, but at this stage i feel I can provide Jax with the best and undivided attention when I am home.
Now the question is: If it really is important to get him a friend... what would you recommend? And I also know that parrots don't just get along cause we hope them to.
I am truly sorry that I ask a lot of dumb questions. I just want what is best for Jax.

 

[jaimmorr]

First of all, this is NOT a dumb question at all! A very good one, actually.

I would say this is untrue. Taking your bird to socialize with another bird out of your house is very risky for multiple reasons. Firstly, the two birds may hate each other and could be injured or worse. Secondly, the other bird (or your bird) may have a disease that is not known about yet and could pass it to your bird (or vise versa). I would not do this.

YOU can preen your bird's head, that's the only place he cannot reach. You can look up videos on how to preen correctly so that you do not hurt him.

Please do not ever get a bird just because you want the bird to be friends with your current bird. If YOU want another bird, that's okay, just make sure that you do the research and get a bird that will match with your family's lifestyle. And you are correct, there is no way of knowing if the two birds will get along at all, let alone be friends.

 

[melissasparrots]

I think that is philosophical opinion on the part of your vet. When you watch two parrots sit and preen each other its hard not to go awww, and have feeling of inadequacy for being a mere human. However, I know birdie buddies that sit and preen each other sometimes, try to kill each other other times and may or may not have a well balanced relationship with a human. I think if he's a pet and your able to give him an hour or so of time every day to preen and play then his needs will likely be met. Especially for a bare eyed which is I think what you have?(little corella) They are known for being a little more independent.

I think you have far more to worry about if your spoil him and make him think he needs your attention all the time to be happy. I do think in the grand sceme of things, birds do like to feel part of a flock. I've almost always had multiples. It doesn't need to be same species or same size. My cockatoo benefited from having a pair of cockatiels siting across the room from her. They never interacted physically, but I think it sort of puts their mind at ease to have another set of eyes watching the sky/doorways that they can take bonday language cues from. A lot of well socialized parrots are fine as single pets though. Don't think you have to run out and get a couple cockatiels just to make your's happy.
Melissa

 

[PortaPerch]

I believe parrots interact more than you think. Just this morning, during the Nature minute at the end of CBS "This Morning," red-wing blackbirds chirping caused Chewbaca to go nuts. She carried on, shrieking and bouncing, and even watched the birds on the tv.

We have a birdsitter video that shows macaws and Toos, and at one point a noise on the video makes our birds fly off their perches.