Talk me down, folks

[ScooterMcTavish]

Despite our family getting Monty, our DYH Amazon, my wife is a bit disappointed as:
a) I am the sun around which he orbits
b) She was hoping for a bird a bit smaller

Now a TAG was on our list of "birds to look at" before we got Monty, and we had an opportunity to meet one recently. Well, Mrs. Scooter really (and I mean, really) liked the size of the TAG, and how even tempered it was, even with a female Eclectus screaming its head off right in his face (it had sort of a "married man" vibe to it).

Anyways, the breeder who we originally contacted regarding an Eclectus apparently has a mating pair on eggs right now. So, Mrs. Scooter has expressed a strong interest in acquiring one of said TAGs.

In making a list of pros and cons, I was able to come up with:

Pros:
- Some "company" for Monty when the whole family is out (of course they'll be housed apart, but in proximity to each other)
- My wife can be the TAGs primary caregiver, making her the centre of the TAG's universe
- We have a parrot already. Each additional bird adds incremental (not exponential) amounts of work
- We fight over who gets to interact with the bird, so now we'll fight less as we'll have more birds to share
- My daughters are already fighting over who will get Monty when we die (nice, eh?), so having two birds means each gets the same inheritance

Cons:
- More cages, more work
- I have a vivid mental image of both birds sitting on my shoulders and growling at my wife
- Finding pet sitters could be more difficult
- More vet visits
- Incessant screeching

So, as many on here have multiple fids, is the jump from 1 to 2 substantial, or barely disruptive? Any experiences with a TAG and a DYH in the same home? And of course, can you somehow affect which person the bird prefers?

Welcome your thoughts.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Ok..let me give you my opinion here..just remember,its just an OPINION!

I have/had both..Smokey,my TAG,was about 6 months old when I got her from a pet store <Impulse buy..always wanted an AG>..she was about one year old when Amy came along..my BF.

I got Amy when she was about 16 weeks old,from a breeder,who had about 14 little BF's running around in a huge aviary. Amy chose ME..following me around the enclosure,eyes to eyes..making lil 'zon grunts.

I told the breeder I wanted to see "that one" and he gently got her out and I sat down in a chair,he put her in my hand <she was still a small gal> and she walked right up my arm to my shoulder,immediately lowering her head for scratches..I did this for about 10 minutes,while she slowly lowered her head,closing her eyes,and resting her beak on my shoulder..that was IT! Home she came in a portable boom box box lol.

Then she meets Smokey..an only bird..still NOT friendly <being wild caught and terrified of hands>
Amy had to be hand fed for two weeks,only at night time,breeder said it would help with the "bonding" between her and I..and it certainly did..she loves her Pa Pa :54:

But even tho Amy tried her darndest to be pals with Smokes,Smokes wanted NOTHING to do with her..often sneaking up behind Amys back,to yoink on her tail feathers and run away! Jealousy ran rampant with her!
She even went beak to beak,biting Amys tongue,that resulted in a rush to the vet for 5 stitches..that was the LAST time I let them get close to each other.

Long story short..They "tolerated" each other..Amy more so..
When Smokey passed away I could tell Amy hurt..and misses her..on occasion she still call out "Smooookkkeyyyy...Smoooookkkeyyyy"


Jim

 

[Dopey]

MBS. My TAG doesn't scream - just whistles for me and at me. You won't regret getting a TAG and then an Ekkie.

 

[JerseyWendy]

You seem to have a really good head on your shoulders, Scooter, for thinking this out so thoroughly! Kudos to you!!

I have absolutely NO experience with Greys, so I can't help you there. As for adding another bird, one that will be smaller than your DYH, I honestly don't think it will make things A LOT more difficult.

More time consuming? YES
More cleaning? Absolutely
More cooking/feeding? Not really, especially since you've got the food in the house for one, so preparing an additional dish is no trouble at all.
Pet sitter? Well, if you get one to take care of your DYH, then taking care of one little TAG in addition shouldn't really matter all that much.
Yes, vet cost will double, depending on how often you get your bird(s) vetted. Many of us who have multiple bird households switch it up on who gets their extensive annual, if you know what I mean.
As for who the TAG will bond with: THAT remains to be seen. :54: I don't think any of us can guarantee he/she will bond with your wife.

BUT: Don't let her give up on your DYH. He's still VERY young! I'm not saying for her to force herself on him, but make sure she spends ALONE time with him - with you out of sight completely. I'm pretty sure he will be a lot more mellow if you're nowhere to be seen.

 

[Birdman666]

I don't know. I jumped from 1 to 2... Then I jumped from 2 to 4. Then 5 came, along. What's one more. Then my buddy needed to place his bird, my bird's buddy bird, with someone... Then there was the bird that was being left by the dumpster.... And the rescue was overflowing, and had fosters that needed aggressive big bird/macaw experience...

And suddenly, these go to 11.

My flock seems to double in size every time it goes up.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Thanks guys. Guess I sort of knew the answer before I asked a room full of people with multiple birds "Should I get a second bird?".

Jim, appreciate the feedback, and we'll be sure to limit their interactions if we get the TAG. Possibly they may become fast friends, and possibly they'll loathe each other - we'll be prepared for either eventuality.

Dopey, we did enjoy finally meeting an Ekkie, and she was a very amusing bird (especially screaming, beak wide open about 1/2" away from the TAG's face). However, I'm happy with Monty, and Mrs. Scooter seemed to prefer the TAG. Plus, I learned my lesson with when we bred dogs that we need to put up boundaries early. In this case, no more that two. Period. I mean it.

Thanks Wendy, we're trying to ensure we're ready for the commitment a second bird would be. And no, we haven't given up on Monty, and Mrs. Scooter plays with him, plays him music, and feeds him nummies throughout the day. Monty likes her and both daughters fine. Until I come home.

But we could play it strategic with the TAG, and make sure the Mrs. has lots of alone time right from Day 1, and I can limit my interactions with it to ensuring the bird is comfortable with me, but prefers her. I hope. Gah.

Mark, I truly fear for what will happen as our other pets pass on. Three of our five dogs are seniors, as is one of our three cats. We'll be dropping in overall pet count pretty severely in the next three years, and I'm going to have to keep my wife from turning into a bird hoarder.

Scott

 

[Dopey]

... and I'm going to have to keep my wife from turning into a bird hoarder.

Scott

Maybe she can become a bird toy hoarder like I am.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

... and I'm going to have to keep my wife from turning into a bird hoarder.

Scott

Maybe she can become a bird toy hoarder like I am.

Halfway there already.....

 

[itchyfeet]

I'm all for it. Absolutely.

Have you got the room for cages? You're going slightly smaller so it might not be such a big deal, but we've got from an IRN and 'tiel to adding a Marley the galah, and by golly he takes up a lot of space! I think I've figured out how to fit him in comfortably, but I just wasn't as ready for that part of the change as I should have been. Granted parrot and cage arrived on the same day - usually you'd be able to sort the cage thing out before the parrot arrives.

I've always loved 'too's, but we'd decided on a CAG if we were to get a big bird on our own logic. Marley was a circumstantial addition and the idea of my very own too let along a pink one was just so exciting.

No matter how much we have tried, he lets me feed him, change his paper and give him the odd wee scratch. Hubby however, who's a bird person by association, gets hugs, kisses, called to etc. etc. He's clearly my husbands bird.

This came as quite alike as my mum was a rather young mum, and her and I sound and look very similar. I thought, given it was mums galah, I'd win this one easily! But apparently Marley has always been more keen for male attention. Mum thinks it's because he was hand reared by a male. So why I don't know if you can influence the birds choice too much, make sure your wife is genuinely beginning to bond with the chick before he comes home. Don't be assigned a baby - find a way to choose.

Good luck!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Scott, you'll love a Timneh,really.. don't know if you followed my recent posts about the Cockatoo Man..the goffins 'too I adopted after Smokey passed..now that he has been rehomed and his new parronts love him and he is thriving in his new home, I have been thinking of getting another Grey,but I am going to wait and not jump into things.

There has always been two birds in my household for nearly 30 yrs, I could NOT be any happier with my Blue Front..she is the sweetest gal I ever have known..she loves my girl friend..she loves being out..loves going for rides in the car and visiting people..she does NOT scream..she is a talker..and when she gets excited,she TALKS,sometimes rather loudly lol but its funny.

Smokey wasn't a screamer either,and had an excellent vocab..but being a wild caught she had her moments,and when she did something wrong would tell me "nawny girl" <couldn't pronounce NAUGHTY lol>
If she knew you,she would give kisses,maybe get on your shoulder to pull your hair or bang her beak on your forehead..if she DIDNT know you or didn't like you..she'd growl like a pack of wild dogs,and try to taste you,in a not-so-pleasant way :52:

Had her own personality for sure..


Jim

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hey itchy, yes have considered the cages, but since Monty has his palatial cages at home and the cottage, fitting in a smaller TAG cage shouldn't be an issue - we've already figured out where to put them.

I think part of my hesitancy might also be my innate love of cockatoos. I think to be fair to all of our pets, we have to realistically limit ourselves to two parrots. Therefore, if we get a TAG, no RBC or LSC 'too in my future. Although we originally got in touch with our breeder over a Goffin, then went to look at a Galah, we ended up getting Monty from him. Funny how that works.

Jim, after viewing more videos, and reading about Jonesie (what actually first got me to PF), I'm glad we ended up with our Monty. Amy sounds like a pretty awesome bird, and I hope Monty grows into being as nice a bird as she is. I'm actually surprised at how quiet Monty is - he's really only loud when he tries to sing to music, or when he hears me come home from work.

Not quite sure any of you are talking me off the ledge here.

 

[itchyfeet]

Well between 'too and TAG, I'd vote TAG. By all means cockatoo's are awesome, but when you look at the 'whole too picture', that awesome wasn't quite right before. It sounds like a TAG would far better suit your situation. Doesn't mean you don't love too's!

(Make the RB2 #3....it'll appear round the same time my CAG makes #4 )

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hey itchy, yes have considered the cages, but since Monty has his palatial cages at home and the cottage, fitting in a smaller TAG cage shouldn't be an issue - we've already figured out where to put them.

I think part of my hesitancy might also be my innate love of cockatoos. I think to be fair to all of our pets, we have to realistically limit ourselves to two parrots. Therefore, if we get a TAG, no RBC or LSC 'too in my future. Although we originally got in touch with our breeder over a Goffin, then went to look at a Galah, we ended up getting Monty from him. Funny how that works.

Jim, after viewing more videos, and reading about Jonesie (what actually first got me to PF), I'm glad we ended up with our Monty. Amy sounds like a pretty awesome bird, and I hope Monty grows into being as nice a bird as she is. I'm actually surprised at how quiet Monty is - he's really only loud when he tries to sing to music, or when he hears me come home from work.

Not quite sure any of you are talking me off the ledge here.

I hope I don't come across as a negative trying to burst your bubble cos that is not my intention but something that can be a nagging headache is:-
What happens to the bird(s) if something happens to me?

Something probably most of us do not want to think about cos we're gonna live forever right???

If you can solve that one and it appears that you have everything else sorted so good luck, wishing you and your future fid all the best and expect pics right?

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

"whats gonna happen to my fids if something should happen to me"??

THAT is always in the back of my mind! I will be 60 in less than 2 weeks and Amy will be 29...this year..< geez where does the time go>? and my son is not fond of BIRDS...so if I got a young TAG..or anything "young"...sighhhhh



Jim

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hey PM and Jim,

As I mentioned in the "pros" section in my initial post, I have two daughters, both who love parrots, and both who are already fighting over who gets Monty when we die. Although nothing in life is ever a guarantee, I could always tie their inheritance to the birds. Lol.

Looking at ours and their ages too, they should hopefully be at the same point in life we are now when it is their turn to have the birds. As least both will be home for a number years still, and be able to be part of the birds' flock before they leave.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hey sorry to make you repeat yourself.
Honestly when I have holiday fids here it is a bit messier but the thing I find hard is the amount of time they take up by just wanting me there. Each wanting equal. If I didnt have a bit of a jealousy issue I'd probably have two of my own. (Hope hubby not reading this!) Wishing you and Mrs Scooter all the very best in your search.

 

[KevH]

Well i have a Congo grey I had him for 2 years then decided to get a DYHA at first my grey dominated him but recently my DYHA has started getting the upper hand coz he dive bombs my grey now and he's very nervous when there both out so i let them out separately mite be ok with ur DYHA still young and tags arnt as skittish as cags