Owning multiple birds?

[Ladyeclectic]

Now folks, I'm new to this whole "bird thing". I didn't grow up with them, haven't been around them much except when people bring theirs out in public...but I just got my first conure Mishka and, Lordy, I'm hooked!! She's a dollface even if not tame yet - I can't wait to teach her tricks and love on her more!!

Birds can be an addiction, can't they?

Anyway, I'm not there yet by a longshot but I'm wondering what any of you on here thought about owning multiple birds. I've always wanted a larger bird but wasn't going to do myself or a prospective avian companion the disservice of jumping into a committment I'm not ready for. I'm tickled pink with my little GCC but can't help noticing how so many of you fine folks have multiples, many spanning quite the size gap!

What's it like owning more than one bird? I've had only dogs and horses most of my life so bird ownership and behavior is all new to me (I have "Parrots for Dummies" on the way ). I'd live a Catalina Macaw or a Cockatoo someday (or maybe a whole flock of conures, I love my little Mishka already!) but when did you know you were ready? Is it hard keeping multiple birds entertained and not jealous?

 

[Spiritbird]

Congrats on your bird. Now we have 2 Mishkas on the forum. The other one is a CAG with guardian Antionette. I have had the urge to get a second bird but my vet talked me out of it. She said my bird Rosie would never understand and it would change her bond to me. If you bird is new to you this may not be the case. Twice the work and twice the fun I guess.

 

[Chaos_1.0]

I have 5 birds and it is great. My cockatiel is my buddy. The lovebird is my mom's but I take care of it and play with it, and 2 of the parakeets I kind of leave to themselves because they are rescues that are wild and don't want anything to do with me but I know I am giving them a much better home. The third parakeet is very cute and has no fear of anything. It is more work but it is also a lot more fun.

 

[Ladyeclectic]

Congrats on your bird. Now we have 2 Mishkas on the forum. The other one is a CAG with guardian Antionette. I have had the urge to get a second bird but my vet talked me out of it. She said my bird Rosie would never understand and it would change her bond to me. If you bird is new to you this may not be the case. Twice the work and twice the fun I guess.

No don't tell me that, I'll go out and get one today!! Just kidding, just kidding (...I think ).

LOL on the name similarities: I was watching TV, talking with my boyfriend about names for the bird (I even had a list!) when the name "Mishka" was mentioned on whatever show we were watching. I added it to the list because we both liked it, and five minutes later that was that!

I do worry that another bird, whenever I get it, would stress any relationship I have with my current "flock". I realize that's a risk, but I've always been so fascinated by the larger parrots and know myself well enough that I'll likely buckle at some point and get one. It's just a matter of time...

 

[CrypticDelirium]

Welcome to the forum!!
Owning more than one bird is great, though there are a few challenges. My hubby and I have a quaker and a moluccan 'too, though it's still quarantine time, which is a definite must with getting a new fid. It helps prevent sickness spreading and behavior issues in the beginning. With the size difference we've decided it's just not worth the risk to ever let them play together, which of course is a slight draw back but nothing major. I was a bit worried Georgie would be jealous, but luckily it seems more that he can't wait to meet her. They call to each other across the house already, which is so cute. When owning, correction - being owned by more than one- personality comes into play a great deal. Every bird has SUCH a different personality! When thinking of bringing in a second, all I really think it boils down to is asking yourself if you have the time to devote to a new friend, especially taking into account if they'd never be able to be out together, and finding a species that will fit your lifestyle so they and you will be happy.
I love that you're considering a cockatoo, they are given SUCH a bad rap!!! While admittedly they are very attention demanding and can be quite loud, in my opinion there's not a cuddlier, more ready to hang out with you bird to be found for the right person. All they want in the world is to be with you as much as possible, weather you're cooking, watching tv, or going for a walk. All the bad things you hear are from people who don't research them enough and think that they'll be happy being in a cage 24-7; if someone did that to me I'd scream and bite them too lol!! There are SO many in rescues that if you start seriously considering a too it's a great way to find one!!
Hope this helps, and best of luck!! = )

 

[Ladyeclectic]

That's one of the draws for me (besides looks) to the 'Too: they're big on the cuddles!! I've also heard they can spoil really easy though which would be my biggest problem. I'm all about the snuggles and lovin's!!

I remember seeing on Craigslist a macaw and conure combo being sold together since they'd been raised together and all I thought was D'AWWWW!!

(yeah I was "birdbrained" long before I got an avian pal LOL)

 

[Ladyeclectic]

Oy! So, I finally start telling people at work that I have a bird, and the second person I tell about my new fid says they didn't know I was a bird person, and that they know someone who's trying to get rid of a pet bird to a good home.

I joked about getting another but, erm.... Apparently his cousin is willing to give the bird up free to a good home, although my coworker has no idea what kind it is.

Yeah. And again

 

[AndrewH]

As mentioned above, be very certain before deciding on getting a cockatoo. They are very nice and affectionate (there are exceptions, of course), but the trade off here is that they must have lots of attention. More than most people can provide.

 

[Dj tweet]

Personaly I think if your going to have 2 birds it's better to get them closer to one another this way they learn that ok this is how much time we get with our owners
I come out 1st ANd I come out 2nd etc etc
the 1st hopfully won't become to jealous over it as she won't have bonded as well to you as say 2 or 3yrs down the track

Good luck whatever you decide

 

[Ratzy]

I have 5 budgies, living outdoors. I feed them with a syringe daily ( they love it ) and let them crawl all over me. 3 are very tame ( raised from eggs with me there ) and the other two are iffy. I don't have much experience with cockatoos, only that I've made friends with one in the local aviary. He ( assuming it's a he ) flies over when I call him for neck scratchies. The local aviary always makes me mad. They don't give any birds medical attention, 3/4 of the budgies have scaly face and none of the birds are ever given any attention. They have nest boxes all year round and feed them a diet of lettuce and seed. Mice are everywhere, even in plain daylight, and half the budgies have died since I last visited.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[_Cass_]

I used to rescue multiple birds, and at the time I also had a Parrotlet named Divot, and she was the love of my life. Even though we had multiple birds in the house her affection never changed for me, but of course she was used to having multiple other parrots living with her. I don't know how Toulouse (my GCC) would react to another bird in the house, although I have wanted to get another one for quite some time . I guess it just depends on the bird. My vet told me that another bird could ruin your bond, but if the birds get along (and theres no guarantee) then there shouldn't be an issue. I guess it's all luck of the draw And I guess theres not too much of an issue when you and your new fid are still getting to know eachother.

 

[Aussie Ben]

If they are different in size like CD's situation, or they don't end up getting along, be prepared to give up more of your time. You won't be able to overlap playtime, unless they are able to be together. I have a shy, jumpy cockatiel and a very boisterous, curious Ekkie that doesn’t know his own strength (they are both flighted). For me, letting them play together is a bit of a recipe for disaster. Because of this I never let them out together and have to divide my time between them. They are quite happy to just talk to each other from their cages .

 

[bogo1]

I bring a slightly different perspective as I have two conures and two keets.One conure is flighted as one of the keets. One of the keets is brand new and I was trying to quarantine but my stubborn and oblivious spouse has destroyed that. So the two conures are very close to each other and to my husband, my teenage son and myself. They get along also with one of the keets, our dogs and cats although obviously we supervise there. One of the conures, Sam, and I are very close and Sam goes with me pretty much everywhere (clipped ) .o think it is easier though not foolproof to have birds closer in size.

 

[SharonC]

I started by adopting two female Budgies from a friend, who wanted to downsize her flock. They were very bonded to each other, and didn't want a relationship with me. I then wanted a bigger, more interactive bird...but I was scared of the commitment...so I got Levi, my Linnie, then Charlie, my Canary. I got less scared of the "bigger bird idea", and adopted Fred, when I saw the ad...That makes five for me. It's a little difficult sometimes juggling time out for all, but I wouldn't part with any of them. It is a lot of work though....