Second bird?

[Iago]

So I've had Iago for over 3.5 years and he turns 4 next month. We are extremely bonded with each other but he doesn't like any other people besides myself and my mom.

So knowing this, I am very happy with Iago and am trying to get him used to "strangers". This is not where this question is coming from, it is just giving some background on Iago. Over the past year and a half, work has started getting more demanding, going from 40 hours per week to 50-60+ hours per week. I'm afraid I'm not spending enough time with him anymore and was wondering if he would benefit from another bird. This will give him company during the day when I'm gone, since there are a couple times a week that he is sleeping when I leave and sleeping when I get home from work, I feel so bad .

I would like to bring him around the second bird before introducing one to my home to see if they will get along but I'm still unsure. I really like the idea of Iago having a companion while I am gone but just don't know if it is the right way to go. At this point I am thinking of a black capped conure, a quaker or an indian ring neck. Any and all opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

[MonicaMc]

Conures typically get along best with other conures and sometimes quakers. If you are planning on them getting along, go with those two choices... preferably a species closest to him.

If you don't care whether or not they get along, ever, go with whatever species you want!


There's no way to tell how he will react to other birds until you make that step.

 

[Iago]

I really want them to get along, that would be why I'm getting the second bird. I would like him to have someone to play with while I have long days at work. I have seen videos of other conures and indian ring necks getting along, that is why I am considering those and quakers just because they seem like fun from the videos I've seen.

Would it be too little exposure to try and bring Iago around other birds before I bring them home?

 

[MonicaMc]

Ya, it would be. You don't know how he will react to a bird once you bring that bird home. Likewise, you wont know how that bird will be once in your home.


Some birds get along instantly, others may never got along. Some may not get along at first, but eventually warm up to each other. Likewise, birds who get along could someday decide they don't like each other.


Essentially, you need to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best!




When I got a second conure (Charlie), I had really hoped that he would get along with my first conure (Noel). The first one would occasionally copy the second, but even after having both for 3 years (before the first passed away), they never got along. Now I have a third (Jayde), and as long as they are not on me, they more or less "gets along" with each other... it's more like they ignore each other because they've realized that the other has a beak and could cause real harm, so it's better to avoid it than go looking for it. They have had some minor squabbles in the past, hence mostly avoiding each other now.

 

[Iago]

So what did you do when they did not get along? That is my biggest fear in getting a second bird

 

[ShellyBorg]

I have 5 that do not like each other at all. You juggle your time between them and learn to get creative with out time.

 

[Iago]

I guess I'm more concerned on if it is the right decision for Iago. All I want is for him to be happy

 

[Iago]

So after reading multiple situations similar to mine I think I will eventually get Iago a buddy (6 months to 1 year from now). I have really fell in love with Indian Ring Necks, both because of their look, personality and the fact that they are similar in size to Iago. One of the last concerns I have is would it be helpful to bring Iago around other birds to see how he reacts to the first and if I do decide to get him a buddy, should they be similar in age or should I get a baby?

 

[MonicaMc]

So what did you do when they did not get along? That is my biggest fear in getting a second bird

Noel, my first conure, and Charlie, my second, never did get along. Noel really wasn't hands on so didn't require much attention at all... which was the opposite of what I wanted (hence, getting Charlie!). In the end, I housed them in separate rooms because of their preferences.

Charlie and Jayde (my third conure) don't get along, but they get along far better than Charlie ever did with Noel! I had to keep them separated at first, because Charlie and Jayde would squabble and fight if they got too close to each other. Now, I can have both of them on my shoulders as long as it's not the same shoulder, they can both eat out of the same dish if I'm holding it, they are "OK" together on the couch, back of the chair or somewhere else as long as Charlie doesn't get riled up.... and if I walk away, both will fly after me. This helps greatly, since Charlie started getting rather lazy about flying, and now he's flying more with Jayde around! I even attempted having them in the same travel cage which worked out fine on the way there! Jayde was far more interested in getting out than paying attention to Charlie, and Charlie mostly just ignored her - even when they are in close proximity to each other, even touching each other. On the way back though, Jayde was rather agitated and the trip back was a little more "eventful".

At this point, I don't trust housing them together, but I am glad that they are getting along better than 4 months ago!

So after reading multiple situations similar to mine I think I will eventually get Iago a buddy (6 months to 1 year from now). I have really fell in love with Indian Ring Necks, both because of their look, personality and the fact that they are similar in size to Iago. One of the last concerns I have is would it be helpful to bring Iago around other birds to see how he reacts to the first and if I do decide to get him a buddy, should they be similar in age or should I get a baby?

You can try taking Iago around other birds.... but it still varies. Do you plan on having Iago meet an IRN in person before bringing the bird home? Does anyone have any IRN's for sale? What if Iago doesn't get along with any other birds, would you decide not to get a second? What if he does get along with other birds, but the bird you are interested in doesn't get along with him?

There are still a lot of variables... and behavior can change once in your home.

 

[SpotsandSally]

I am a big supporter of IRNs, but if you want a bird that will get along with your bird, than I suggest to get a sun conure. Parrots can be picky, but if you choose a bird closest related to your bird, then the chances of them liking eachother are higher, since they have the same behavior, look the same, sound the same, etc. and the personalities will likely match better, too.
Just my 2 cents, if you want to give it a go with an IRN, go ahead. I wish you the best of luck.