Keeping different species together: Your experiences

[reeb]

Hi everyone,



I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread where members can post their personal experiences with keeping different species of parrots (or other birds) together, whether in the same cage, living separately and interacting outside of the cage, or simply being in the same room in separate cages. I think it will help people who are looking into getting different species of birds to gauge the variety of possibilities and/or failures in keeping multiple feathered friends. Birds have diverse personalities, and I think it is important to understand the risks of keeping different birds together, whether they are different species or not.



Some things to consider in your responses:

What species do you have?

Do they interact at all?

Do they spend time together outside of the cage?

Do they share the same cage or aviary?

How did you introduce your birds, if their relationship is amicable?



I will start with my own experiences:



The background



I got Pearl and Opal, my English budgies, in September of 2017. I was, in the back of my mind, thinking of getting a third bird. My budgies were very young, and I knew that younger birds are more likely to adjust to meeting a new friend. I was very torn between a cockatiel and a green cheek conure. After doing a lot of research, I decided on a 'tiel. I had two reasons for this choice that concerned my budgies.



Firstly, budgies and 'tiels are both Australian species, and flock together in the wild. Secondly, although 'tiels can be a little bigger that GCCs, they have beaks that are closer in size to budgies, and I was pretty concerned about the potential damage a conure beak could do to my budgies if provoked.



At the time, I didn't really consider gender as a factor in getting a 'tiel, but now that I am more knowledgeable, I am really glad that Berry is a female. Female 'tiels are known to be very gentle and "mellow" - unlike female budgies, haha! (Pearl, my female budgie, is super sassy, and I am pretty sure if I had a second female budgie things would not be so great, I've seen the drama in my aviary lol. Opal, luckily, is a boy, so the balance works well between them. Even better, they don't mate, so that's perfect!)



So, I began my search for a 'tiel in October of 2017, and I came across a breeder that had one 4 month old baby left, one he was 99% sure was a female. So, I went and fetched her, and named her Berry.



The introduction



After a quarantine period, I let the budgies out of their cage, and Berry out of hers. I then left them to interact on their old play-gym with strict supervision. It went pretty well, Pearl and Opal were very curious, but in no way aggressive. Pearl tried to groom her crest (lol), but Berry wasn't to happy about, and was mostly scared. However, she did not react aggressively at all.



So, each day, I would only let them out when I was there to supervise, and they gradually began to tolerate each other more as Berry started to feel more comfortable. Then, I was able to leave them alone together in the room when I had to do admin elsewhere, checking on them every now and then.



Sharing a cage



They were still in separate cages. After a couple of months, Berry would always fly into the budgies’ cage at night-time to go to bed. so I decided to take a little risk and move them all into a very large cage, since they were getting along so well. They weren't necessarily "friends", and the budgies sometimes really annoyed Berry, but she never, ever lashed out. She has a very gentle, calm demeanour, and I think that has made things much easier.



A friendship has formed between Opal and Berry over the past couple of months, and interaction has remained entirely amicable. All three enjoy the company of their little flock, and it's great to see.



I know I am VERY lucky that my birds get along so well. I have read some stories about cockatiels and budgies not getting along AT ALL.



So yeah, that's my experience with my birds!

 

[Betrisher]

This is a good post, reeb, and thanks for posting it. I reckon quite a few members will find it useful to read others' experiences in deciding how and where they house their flocks.

In our old house, my Beaks (Alexandrines) and Galah generally had free range of the family room for much of the day. They had a large playgym situated over the back door and it contained swings, a large boing, various perches, a cargo net etc etc etc. It kept them occupied and housed safely out of the family's way.

The Beaks arrived not long after I inherited Dominic. They were only six months old and Dominic would have been about thirty at the time. He was a damaged soul and never fully learned to play as actively as other galahs might, HOWEVER what he did learn was courtesy of watching the Beaks exploring their environment.

So, where Dommie wouldn't eat pellets or climb a cargo net or swing on a swing, once he saw the Beaks getting rewards for doing those things, he started to enjoy them too. He even learned to fly for the first time in thirty years!

I was nervous that the Beaks might harm Dommie with their superlarge bills, but I needn't have worried. Dommie claimed the top of the fridge as his area and if any silly Beak dared to go near it, he would raise his hat, spread his wings, puff out his face and bellow at them till they flew away again. That worked just fine. I think Dom always knew the Beaks could have hurt him severely if they ever worked out he was bluffing. He was a wily old boy!

On the other hand, we tried my son's peachfaces and masked lovebirds in the mix. That was a disaster! Lovies are notoriously nippy and they just went for everyone's feet, regardless of the fact they were outsized by a factor of three or four times. We learned a vital rule: do not put lovebirds with other species, especially ones with big feet!

After a few years of living together, Dommie and the Beaks existed side by side but rarely ever interacted (beyond Dom's bluffing routine on his fridge). The Beaks avoided Dom and he ignored them. When I began trick training the Beaks, though, Dom noticed like mad that they were being given sunflower seeds in return for doing tricks. He flew down to the table to join in, chasing the Beaks away and galloping over to get some seeds for himself. It took all of five minutes to show him 'play ball', but he drew the line at that. I couldn't teach him anything else no matter how hard I tried. All he would do was wave his whiffle ball at me and then open his bill for a treat.

Dommie died just a few weeks ago and we miss him terribly. He was cranky, irritable, aggressive old bloke, just like my Dad (who owned him). I doubt I'll ever have another bird as wonderful as he was, though. He was one in a million!

Now, we have Miss Rosetta Stone, the Corella. She is a handful, that's for sure. There's no way I'd allow her loose in the same room as my Beaks (at least, not yet) because she's at the stage where she's grabbing and exploring everything. The Beaks are extremely laid-back and I doubt they'd cope with 'setta's OTT personality. We'll see how things pan out over time.

 

[Kiwibird]

I grew up with 2 amazons (wild caught female DYH and a hand raised male GCA) and a hand raised male goffin cockatoo. The amazons were different species but were a bonded pair. They slept in their own cages but were free roaming together during the daytime. They occasionally 'argued' but never harmed each other. Both also got along with my male BFA when he'd visit. Both males were definitely subordinates to the female, she is a BIG girl and the big boss bird/flock leader type no doubt Neither amazon ever got along with the cockatoo but that's because the cockatoo is a total jerk and isolated himself from the otherwise laid back and friendly amazons who'd likely get along with any other friendly laid back bird. Since the male amazon passed away, the female has not become any better buddies with the cockatoo and the 2 can never be out at the same time or fights would surely occur.

 

[Rozalka]

Great thread!
Two years after getting my 3 Bourkes I got Romek, a male budgie. First few months they were together in the same cage. His presence wasn't a problem for them (for example they was sleeping all together) and they weren't fight. When it was spring I hung a nesting box for Bourkes. Then Rozalka (one of two females) started to chase Jaś (male) and Fela (female) but not Romek. I decided to move her to the other cage where she was alone. I thought that Romek as a single bird another species he wouldn't be a problem but here was my mistake. When Fela started to go into the nesting box and next incubate the eggs, Romek was very curious "What is there?". I thought it was nothing but I was wrong. One morning I saw a blood stain in their cage. I was looking who is injured and then Romek left the nesting box with a wound near the leg. When Fela left her nest box I checked eggs and there was one egg less. I understood my mistake and I moved him to the Rozalka's cage. They both was alone as different species and they started to interact each other (when they had been together before, Rozalka from all Bourkes had been the most often with him). After breeding Romek returned to Jaś and Fela, I was trying with Rozalka too but Jaś started to hate her.

A half year later I got Angela (a female budgie). First few weeks she was with Romek, Jaś and Fela. Rozalka's cage was too small for them so we bought a new one for her and budgies. Bourkes sometimes are let out all together but heir relationship doesn't change. Rozalka still chases Jaś and Fela but not budgies
Also I have Zenek (a male GCC) but he is in the other room. I sometimes let out him with Bourkes in the same time (budgies don't want to leave their cage) and he isn't interested in them - he prefers me and my parents The exception is when one of Bourkes is very close but it always ends with Bourkes escape

 

[Scott]

It can be done with many species, some of the variables include temperament of the individuals, size of cage or room space, access to resources such as food/water/toys.

My primary bird room housed 3 goffins, 1 citron, 1 moluccan, and one TAG. None were ever locked in cages, all co-existed peacefully with one very minor exception. All freely co-mingled except for the TAG who has no interest in the toos. Every once in a while the TAG would fly to the cockatoo zone area but keep his distance. Occasionally one goffins in particular would fly to his "cage" but maintain separation. The only rare skirmish was when the wild-caught female goffins would "haze" the moluccan by flying low over his head.

Sadly, the moluccan and citron have passed on, leaving ET the TAG to watch the 3 goffins and their antics.

Always have abundant food/water and toys so need for skirmishes related to basic needs.

 

[MikeD91]

This is a pretty cool thread. After getting my YNA Bill my family is thinking about another bird. What I have trouble with is the little symbols for all the different types of birds. Even with finding out what the symbol stands for I still don't have a clue as to what these little guys look like? I would like for Bill to have a friend, but I don't want to upset his peaceful living by getting something he won't like. looking forward to reading all the input.

 

[Betrisher]

Lots of people have strong feelings about getting avian companions for their birds, but I've always believed it's a kindness to allow them an opposite-gender friend of the same species. In that way, you're allowing them to live as close as possible to the way Nature intended.

I've kept many birds over the years and I can't say I've ever felt that a same-species friend has prevented a bird from bonding with me. At the very least, it gives the bird someone to snuggle with at night and someone who speaks the same language during the day when you might be at work or otherwise occupied.

I'm pretty sure some people will disagree with me, but that's my experience. In the end, you have to do what suits you and your bird. One final word of warning, though: if you do get another bird, I BET you you won't stop at one!

 

[Laurasea]

I had my first GCC, then after ten years I thought the dogs have friends ( I have four pups) and birds are highly social so I got my second GCC they were instant best friends. When Burt The Bird passed I wanted a blue quaker and got Neptune also instant friends with my GCC Ta-dah. Then someone wanted to get rid of two budgies, Ta-dah was instant friends with them as well, but Neptune was predatory and tho he us better now can not be trusted with them. I cane across a quaker in dreadful condition and covered in poop and dirt and the person who had her is an addict, so I bought her and she came home with us. Ta-dah my GCC wanted to be friends but Penny was scared so fights happened. Now my GCC actually flies to her to attack... I can have Penny on my shoulder and Ta-dah and Neptune on my hand and we hang out...but Ta-dah is always waiting to get her alone to attack. Neptune and her are ok together but don't preen each other. Penny is ok with the budgies. So it's a juggling act around here. Mostly enjoyable but some caution has to be taken.

 

[EllenD]

Honestly in my own experience, it actually works BETTER if you want to have multiple birds that you get different birds of different species, rather than bringing home multiple birds of the same species, especially if you are bringing home young birds and not aware of their genders...With birds of the same species you have to worry about mating/breeding/egg/babies, of course, but also they seem to have a more "involved" dynamic, if you know what I mean.

I currently have a female Quaker Parrot, a female Cockatiel, a male Green Cheek Conure, and a male Senegal Parrot, which I brought home in that order and their ages progress in that order since I got each of them as a newly-weaned baby. And I approached each new bird I brought home the same way, with the idea that each one would have to be separated from the rest and would not get along with the rest, because that's worst-case and I'd rather be prepared for that, rather than just expecting them to all get along wonderfully.

My female Quaker and my male Green Cheek are the only two that get along and have any kind of bond, they snuggle together, preen each other, etc., but they also fight, usually over me or food, and they do have to be separated at times. My female Cockatiel hates everyone, well, she did hate everyone until I brought home a male Ringneck Dove, which is another story that is just bizarre, they love each other and are living together in my master bedroom now...It's weird and unexpected, lol...My Senegal hates everyone as well, and my Green Cheek and my Quaker hate everyone else, except that the Green Cheek and the Cockatiel are fine being together, they don't WANT to be together, but they are fine and have never had any issues...

I think a lot of the way my birds interact with each other is due to the fact that I'm the only person in the house, they are all bonded-closely with me, and there is a jealousy component to our household dynamic with them. The Senegal especially is protective of me and takes "ownership" of me, and he has the big beak, so I have to watch that...But we seem to have worked-out a system where they get along at night enough to have their sleeping cages next to each other, they all fly downstairs together in the morning and eat their breakfast together from their own, individual cages (which are all in the same room, the living room area, which works fine). They all stay in their own "areas" in the living room, and that's fine. They know this is how the house is so they make it work, and we have few issues...

 

[cnyguy]

Ralph the Quaker parrot has been here since March, 2010. In April, 2016, I adopted Scooter, a CAG. They have separate cages that are two feet apart in the living room. They have separate out of cage time and don't interact directly. They do like to watch each other-- Scooter is especially interested in seeing what Ralph is doing. They talk to each other too. Scooter has learned to say "Hi, Ralph," and Ralph will respond either with a QP graaaccckkk or by saying "good parrot." During the quarantine period when Scooter first came here, the two parrots could see each other from a distance, and could hear each other, and were very curious about each other. When Scooter moved next to Ralph, they stared at each other for a few minutes, and then went about their own business. Ralph once landed on top of Scooter's cage after a short flight, and Scooter wasn't happy about that, so I doubt that they'd do well if they were out together. It's actually easier for me to have them out separately so I can give them individual attention and make sure they stay out of trouble.

 

[Mitchan]

Lots of people have strong feelings about getting avian companions for their birds, but I've always believed it's a kindness to allow them an opposite-gender friend of the same species. In that way, you're allowing them to live as close as possible to the way Nature intended.

I've kept many birds over the years and I can't say I've ever felt that a same-species friend has prevented a bird from bonding with me. At the very least, it gives the bird someone to snuggle with at night and someone who speaks the same language during the day when you might be at work or otherwise occupied.

I'm pretty sure some people will disagree with me, but that's my experience. In the end, you have to do what suits you and your bird. One final word of warning, though: if you do get another bird, I BET you you won't stop at one!

I absolutely couldn't agree more!
I don't currently have any same-species pairs (Donnie YCA was an "accident" - I was asked if I wanted to take in an 18 year old rehome who'd been cage bound, outdoors, for years. Of course I would! - And Leia Alexandrine was the only psittacula I could find, in this very psittacula-less country, when IRN Nicko passed away and I could tell Meg IRN needed a new bird friend) - but they're in same-genus pairs at least - which is the next best thing.
Previously I've only kept birds in same-species pairs. I've also never had any issues with same-species friends preventing me from bonding with any birds - the closest thing to an exception being one of my sennies who did decide I was her enemy if my other sennie was in the room. This, however, was only directed at me specifically, and this had been her personality all her life. In her previous home, she chose a favorite and would viciously attack her "real" owner. In my home, she did the same, because that was how it'd always worked. Her favorite just happened to be a bird this time. I worked through it and by the time the both of them sadly passed away in a car-on-fire-outside-the-window-during-the-night-related accident we'd gotten to the point where I could actually have them both out at the same time again, after years and years of working with her.
But I digress....

In Sweden, where I live and am from, we have lots of great laws regarding pet keeping, with a specific section for birds of course. Minimum legal cage sizes is a big one that I really like - you can't have a cage smaller than 70cm (27 inches) wide, for ANY bird - a bird the size of a Conure, Senegal, Caique, a small Amazon etc, should have at least 120 cm (47 inches) width, a larger Amazon, grey, smaller cockatoo, etc should have an at least 160cm (62 inches) wide cage, and the big macaws should have at least 360cm (141 inches - over 11 feet!) in width. Of course there are regulations on height and depth as well, and more sizes for other species, but you get the idea!

And, to get to the point, it's also against the law* to keep birds alone - they HAVE to have a bird-friend, SPECIFICALLY one of their own species or genus.
*There's an exception stating that if you yourself can substitute the need of another bird friend, you may keep a single bird - but how that's supposed to be doable is up for debate. In my opinion, you simply cannot. I'm sure they judge from case to case but generally, if you get a visit from the authorities (following a report) I'd be inclined to believe they'd suggest getting a same-species/genus friend if they're alone unless you're unemployed and practically never leave the house.

It's also illegal to hand-raise babies unless they're abandoned by their parents - again, I do have parent-raised birds, in my experience they're a lot healthier and more bird-like, in a good and healthy way, and a LOT less prone to behavioral issues than the hand-fed birds I've had ("vicious" sennie Miley being a great example of a hand-raised bird of mine!) - and I've never experienced any issues with them being hard to tame or unable to bond with. Everyone of my current birds I believe were parent-raised except for Donnie, and he's the behaviorally tricky one.
Even before hand-raising became almost fully illegal (2014), there were regulations about at what age you were allowed to start

This might also be a reason as to why bird introductions seem to be a lot smoother in Sweden - an overwhelming majority of Swedish bird people I know do very successfully keep their companion birds in same-species/genus couples without any trouble at all - while internationally, it seems like there are a lot more issues with birds not liking eachother. Absolutely probable that that might be related to the reason that parrots in the US, UK etc usually are hand-raised from a very young age - while that's not as common here. I know Donnie is having a bit of a hard time communicating with the other birds, sometimes causing some bickering between him and BFA Drogon just because he's not good at speaking Bird.



Gosh, I know I'm just rambling at this point and it's already very long, but I'm gonna get to the thread topic now:


What species do you have?
Blue fronted Amazon, Yellow-crowned Amazon, Indian Ringneck, and Alexandrine!

Do they interact at all?
Yeah! All of them are pretty good at interacting with eachother but Meg IRN keeps her distance from the 'zons. She doesn't like their size, they don't like her flightiness, but they don't really care about eachother so her keeping her distance works out well too But Leia Alexandrine is friends with both of the Amazons!

Do they spend time together outside of the cage?
Yes! I usually get Drogon BFA out of his cage alone for a while before anyone else because he needs to let some energy out in order to, eh, behave But after that, or if they're in the outdoor aviary with lots of fun enriching impressions to take in, they all do well together.
Donnie YCA and Leia Alexandrine are especially good friends. Not really surprisingly - they have very similar personalities, just very chill, laid back and super sweet, with a bit of a grumpy side once in a while Leia's been known to preen Donnie.
Drogon just wants to love EVERYONE, but is especially fond of other Amazons - though he does interact with Leia as well.

Do they share the same cage or aviary?
Leia Alexandrine and Meg IRN share an indoor aviary - Drogon BFA and Donnie YCA don't share a cage because Drogon's a bit unpredictable (he's very young) and Donnie's a bit insecure, but they're usually good friends in the bird room and the outdoor aviary, and I don't doubt they'll be chill enough to be able to share a large cage in a couple of years once Drogon's passed puberty and calmed down a bit lol

How did you introduce your birds, if their relationship is amicable?
The first time I introduced Leia to Meg, I was just planning Leia to visit Meg in her indoor aviary for a little bit in the evening. They did really well together so I quickly popped out to grab my camera, and when I got back, they'd gone to sleep cuddled up together at the same perch. I quietly watched them for a while, then I let them spend the night together, and... Well. They've lived together since.
Donnie and Drogon first got to meet eachother in the outdoor aviary, where there are lots of impressions and distractions and where Drogon is always a lot more well behaved. It went well, but it took a while before they learned how to interact with eachother!
Leia and Drogon used to have SOME shared out-of-cage time but just short periods since Drogon was even crazier when he was even younger, so Leia didn't really care for him. Lately they've been good with eachother though, again especially in the outdoor aviary.
Leia and Donnie met in the outdoor aviary first, were around eachother without interacting for a couple of hours every day for a few weeks/months, and then... Kind of found eachother suddenly.