They're not green, they're green with jealousy

[thermodynamic]

I've three adorable GCCs.

I am thinking of buying a parrotlet from a local seller (as opposed to a pet store as pet stores do not take good care of parrots).

All sales being final, I do have some worry that the GCCs might become jealous of the new incoming parrot.

If that happens, what would a person do? Or, rather, how would one ideally integrate a new flock member into the fold?

Thanks!

 

[czgheib]

It's tough but if you do choose to have so many birds, then for sure stay with them when they are first getting to know each other. They will establish a pecking order and that's to be expected but make sure they don't hurt each other. Put lots of treats so it distracts them and paints their experience in a positive light.

 

[KatherineI]

GCC's can be ornery, jealous little turds. I've heard that Conure's can only truly live happily with other Conures, but my GCC seems to be doing just fine with a Too. They don't go near each other, they pretty much ignore each other at this point. I'd definitely not leave them alone with a new bird for a relatively long period of time.

 

[thermodynamic]

Thanks, both of you!

Oh, I would never leave these birds alone together out of their cages without supervision... (I'd definitely try the 'howdy' method of keeping cages close by to observe their interactions, and let them out ONLY if it didn't look like one would mutilate the other or anything. ) Even between GCCs, and the pecking order I've got, I don't let them all out at the same time as I know Rusty and Rosie will fight if they could.

But if GCCs can be that ornery toward other species, then I might not go through with the purchase of the parrotlet... but with treats, I know Rusty is quick to behave... Either way, I'm still waiting to hear back from the seller re: some details. If I don't hear back then I've no worries...

 

[Pedro]

Do all your GC's have a separate cage each??? I have 3 GC's, bred the cin hen myself, then got a cin male & a pineapple male. I wanted to pair up the pineapple male & cin hen but that just wasn't to be because she hated him. In the end i put her in with the cin male & harmony. Love at first sight. I really don't believe there is a pecking order among parrots. I believe they have to be compatible & if not will chase the intruder off.

 

[Customcasket]

My Sun and Dusky positively HATE each other. Kayak is so aggressive toward Carlisle. I wish they got along. It would make life a little bit easier.

 

[thermodynamic]

Do all your GC's have a separate cage each??? I have 3 GC's, bred the cin hen myself, then got a cin male & a pineapple male. I wanted to pair up the pineapple male & cin hen but that just wasn't to be because she hated him. In the end i put her in with the cin male & harmony. Love at first sight. I really don't believe there is a pecking order among parrots. I believe they have to be compatible & if not will chase the intruder off.

Rusty and Scooter share a cage and there's never been any problems. (They're still fully bonded to me as well.)

Rosie has her own cage but Scooter could be in there as well.

But Rusty and Rosie NEVER come out at the same time or else they will attack each other.

 

[thermodynamic]

My Sun and Dusky positively HATE each other. Kayak is so aggressive toward Carlisle. I wish they got along. It would make life a little bit easier.

I hear ya.

Birds can hate each other, and it's not easy (or possible?) to tell how one starts to hate another. In my case, Rusty and Scooter probably both dig Scooter and loathe the competition.

Given all 3 of mine have never laid eggs and are all over 3 years old, none are females. Unless it's possible for female birds to never lay eggs out of choice?