Thinking about a second bird?

[juhason]

I want to get my little guy a buddy. I haven't been home very often lately and he is getting very upset with me. After I take him out for a couple minutes though he settles down and starts cuddling up with me. Anyways I feel that he is lonely during the day, and think he desperately wants someone to cuddle with at night since whenever the lights go out he calls for us and starts running around the cage for a couple minutes.

The ONLY thing standing in my way is the noise, as my mom will not tolerate it. Rio has a loud voice but he only screams in the late morning, when he's happiest and most awake. My mom doesn't mind volume but cannot handle regularity. I had two cockatiels that drove her mad with their constant chattering until she forced me to find them a new home (unfortunate, but I keep in contact with them and my cockatiels are loving their new home where they have 2 more buddies!)

Also, I would love to get another Green Cheek, but would also like to consider other options if there are any. I have an empty cage but my end goal is to have them in the same cage.

 

[MonicaMc]

What if you end up with two birds that don't get along, that both demand your attention, both scream and chatter too much?


I'm sorry to say this, but I do not believe that getting another parrot would be ideal until you move out of home. Even if you were able to get a bird that would be "quiet" enough for your mom, that bird may not ever get along with a green cheek conure.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Sometimes it can do more harm than good to add another bird to the equation.

For one, if the bird 'bonds' with the other bird - it will change the type of relationship you have with him. That's something to consider. How much it will change depends on the bird.

IMO, whenever you add another bird to the situation, vocal chatter WILL increase. My advice is to provide your buddy with lots of toys to keep him busy while you are away and put some music on. Provided you are interacting with him daily, your situation should be fine.

When I got Skittles - Peaches, my cockatiel, had just turned 16. I hadn't been considering getting Skittles, it was more a fate thing. But the vet told me that Peaches would likely get mean and nasty towards Skittles. Knowing that Peaches is not capable of that (she's NEVER been a mean bird) I decided to take a chance. Peaches is unphased by Skittles but he does NOT like her one bit and it makes for some 'creative' scheduling on my part.

Getting him a buddy may not turn out to be such, as Monica suggested. It's not a 'sure thing', and usually the longer you have had the first bird the more the likelihood they won't get along. Of course there are exceptions but just keep this all in mind.

 

[Puck]

Also, birds need their individual attention, so two birds is at least double the work, as I'm sure you know since you've had multiple birds before. I am all for people having birds, but I would make absolutely sure that the reason you are doing it is because you want that second bird super bad--that way it won't be a burden to give it the care it needs. FYI, I think that your reasons for wanting another bird are very noble and show how much you love your current baby. But considering your living situation, if an obsessive need to have another bird whether it bonds with your current bird or not isn't driving the decision, then it's just not worth the possibility that the two birds won't bond and you will have to provide all companionship for both (since you're already busy). It's just not the ideal time. Maybe someday your mom will come around to your love of birds! Or, like me, you get to be That Relative who annoys the entire household when we get together at the lake in the summer and you bring your birds who proceed to chew everyone out of house and home and terrify people's small dogs.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I think Puck hit the nail on the head. Your intentions are certainly good, but your situation is not. If your bird is not showing any signs of feeling abandoned - I wouldn't worry about it. Birds have NO problem expressing their needs and their disapproval.

 

[juhason]

What if you end up with two birds that don't get along, that both demand your attention, both scream and chatter too much?


I'm sorry to say this, but I do not believe that getting another parrot would be ideal until you move out of home. Even if you were able to get a bird that would be "quiet" enough for your mom, that bird may not ever get along with a green cheek conure.

I suppose that makes sense. My current GCC is very quiet the majority of the day but I know all birds are different.

Sometimes it can do more harm than good to add another bird to the equation.

For one, if the bird 'bonds' with the other bird - it will change the type of relationship you have with him. That's something to consider. How much it will change depends on the bird.

IMO, whenever you add another bird to the situation, vocal chatter WILL increase. My advice is to provide your buddy with lots of toys to keep him busy while you are away and put some music on. Provided you are interacting with him daily, your situation should be fine.

When I got Skittles - Peaches, my cockatiel, had just turned 16. I hadn't been considering getting Skittles, it was more a fate thing. But the vet told me that Peaches would likely get mean and nasty towards Skittles. Knowing that Peaches is not capable of that (she's NEVER been a mean bird) I decided to take a chance. Peaches is unphased by Skittles but he does NOT like her one bit and it makes for some 'creative' scheduling on my part.

Getting him a buddy may not turn out to be such, as Monica suggested. It's not a 'sure thing', and usually the longer you have had the first bird the more the likelihood they won't get along. Of course there are exceptions but just keep this all in mind.

Honestly I would not be offended if my GCC ended up loving the bird more than me if that makes him happier, although I've never had that happen to me. Even birds that were parent raised still preferred me over their bird buddy. I have decided against it though, thanks!

Also, birds need their individual attention, so two birds is at least double the work, as I'm sure you know since you've had multiple birds before. I am all for people having birds, but I would make absolutely sure that the reason you are doing it is because you want that second bird super bad--that way it won't be a burden to give it the care it needs. FYI, I think that your reasons for wanting another bird are very noble and show how much you love your current baby. But considering your living situation, if an obsessive need to have another bird whether it bonds with your current bird or not isn't driving the decision, then it's just not worth the possibility that the two birds won't bond and you will have to provide all companionship for both (since you're already busy). It's just not the ideal time. Maybe someday your mom will come around to your love of birds! Or, like me, you get to be That Relative who annoys the entire household when we get together at the lake in the summer and you bring your birds who proceed to chew everyone out of house and home and terrify people's small dogs.

Haha I doubt my mom will. She grew up in old fashion Europe where animals are strictly for food or protection. She hates the fact that I give him kisses cause they are "filthy animals." The only reason I have Rio is because she does not tolerate animal cruelty and he was a rescue of sorts. I guess I'll have to wait until I have my own place... thanks!

I think Puck hit the nail on the head. Your intentions are certainly good, but your situation is not. If your bird is not showing any signs of feeling abandoned - I wouldn't worry about it. Birds have NO problem expressing their needs and their disapproval.

Oh I know! He bites me relentlessly for leaving him home all day. But he's actually been getting better. I'll just have to wait!