Today's a BIG day!!!

[LaurenB]

Today Nacho is officially finished quarantine! I'm SUPER excited and also VERY nervous.

I'm going to clean both cages and then Nacho's cage is going to move into the bird room. I'm not going to let them out together, yet. Probably not until next weekend.

I am very scared that when I have Tiki out, she will fly to Nacho's cage and he might bite her through the bars before I can get her. She can't afford to lose any more toes (She had one missing when I adopted her).

This is really great timing I feel though, because due to extreme circumstances at work, I will be working Monday-Friday 8:30am-9pm the next several weeks, with a Saturday or two thrown in I'm not going to have much time with them these weeks. Hopefully they will be company for each other.

Any suggestions? I'm super nervous!

 

[Kiwibird]

That is exciting! I bet they will get along just fine. It is actually far less common for new birds to hate each other at first sight than for them to be intrigued and interested in that other one of their own kind. I would wait for a while before letting them physically interact, but I suspect over the upcoming week, they will 'chat' with each other from their respective cages and get to be buddies

We will need pictures of your new setup, and the beautiful Nacho and Tiki of course

 

[LaurenB]

Well, it wasn't the miraculous introduction I was hoping for.

Nacho was completely unfazed by the change of scenery. Tiki was super excited a friend had arrived!

She was calling to him, head bobbing, and rubbing her beak on the cage bars gently (she gently "pets" people's faces and arms with her beak). I brought her over to his cage (while he was still in it), and she bit me, then lunged at him (obviously no where near within striking distance). Nacho acted like he didn't even notice Tiki was there. He was just going to town on his pinata.

When I put Tiki back and brought Nacho over to her cage, she again seemed docile and happy to see him - head bobbing and beak rubbing. Then Nacho lunged at her!

When they come out of their cages individually, they're completely disinterested in the other bird. Tiki just wants to cuddle. Nacho just wants to go down my shirt.

I tried holding Tiki near Nacho's cage again on Sunday, and she did exactly what I was afraid of, which was hop onto Nacho's cage, right where he was hanging on! I immediately scooped her off before anything could happen, but I could tell she was scared. She scurried to the crook of my neck and smashed her face up against mine... while I was scared, it was completely adorable. I love that they come to me when frightened.

Anyway, I'll be at work 66 hours over the next 6 days, so I'm glad they'll at least have each other to "talk" to.

Here are some pictures... kind of hard to get a picture of the whole room as it's not very big. It has their two cages, some book shelves, a chair, and an elliptical machine. Plus I built them a massive play gym yesterday which took up the last of the space in there.

When you first walk in, you see Nacho's house:

And to the left is Tiki's house:

Anyone have any other tips or advice on getting them used to/liking each other?

 

[Kyoto]

Similar to my bird room. You're making me want to shove another cage into it

Hopefully they will start to get along over time. Best of luck!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I love those cages Its what I use for my Caiques and Lorries . This type of cage they play on their backs and with foot toys . Plenty of room

 

[Blancaej]

It will take time and patience for them to get used to each other. Just give it time. If they don't get to the point of interacting, don't be disappointed. They will still enjoy each other's company, just from their own spaces. None of my birds interact but I know they enjoy each other's company in the bird room. They are all flock members and know it. Doesn't mean they have to be best friends.

 

[Kiwibird]

I like your bird room! What a nice little area for them I think time is what you need for them to start to 'like' each other more. And even if they never become best friends, they will appreciate the company at least while your at work. Though I would suggest any "introductions" be done on 'neutral' territory, such as one on the play stand while you hold the other, or roll the cages close to each other so both birds are on an 'equal' level. Part of the problem may be you are introducing one to the other while one is in his/her home and the caged bird is getting defensive of it's territory (or alternatively, jealous the other bird is out and with you).

 

[Terry57]

I love your bird room! Lucky fids you have there
Even if they don't like to play with each other now, they will be great company for each other by just being in the same room

 

[LaurenB]

Thanks everyone!

Pinkbirdy - these are the BEST cages. I had my budgies in one for about 10 years! I gave it away when they passed away, and it was still in awesome condition. And so inexpensive!

Kiwibird - I think you're on to something about one being in the cage while the other it out. It seems that the bird that is 'out' is the aggressor. I'm too scared to have them both out at the same time yet. I'm so so afraid Nacho is going to hurt Tiki. I didn't really think Suns were THAT much bigger than GCCs, but Nacho is a MONSTER compared to her. His beak is easily twice the size of hers. And he's more than twice her size. I think he's just a big sun in general.

I'm sitting in the room with them right now... they're both in their cages because I just wanted to observe. Very monkey see monkey do! The both just ate at the same time. I know meal time is usually bonding time... do you think they could be bonding over eating from across the room?

Thanks so much for everyone's advice and encouragement!!

 

[LaurenB]

Here's a little update. They're by no means friends yet, but here they are on the play gym I built them!

My husband watched Nacho while I stood by Tiki incase either of them got a little too curious of the other. They really seem to just ignore each other. I guess this is progress

Tiki's on the top left, Nacho bottom right... in case they're hard to find lol

 

[kika95]

Ive been dying to get Charlie a bigger cage yours is so nice where did you get it????

 

[Blancaej]

Glad to see them hanging out on their new play gym!

 

[LaurenB]

Ive been dying to get Charlie a bigger cage yours is so nice where did you get it????

I ordered mine on Amazon:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UTZ040?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00"]Amazon.com : HQ Flight Cage, Multi Purpose Aviary with Cart Stand, Black, 1 Per Box : Parrot Cage : Pet Supplies[/ame]

A decent price and great quality. Super easy to assemble. I had one with parakeets in it for 10 years... when they passed away I gave it away and it was still in excellent condition!

Blanca - Yes, they are slowly getting used to it!