Would they get along? Second bird and Safety questions.

reeisconfused

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rescued IRN Max and Cockatiel Honey
Would they get along? Second bird and safety questions

Hello Guys!

So you may have heard about my rescued IRN Max. Iā€™ve posted a lot of threads in the past asking questions about him. If you donā€™t know, We rescued Max from a person who kept him in a really cramped up cage, which was literally the size of him. His diet included a tomato a day. When I found out about him, I was absoluted devastated. So I rescued him. It took some time but we finally bought him home. Heā€™s been with us for more than over two months now. I know it seems like a relatively less time but it feels like a lifetime with him. I honestly donā€™t remember a life without him.

Iā€™ve since then come to find a few things about Max.
* Heā€™s a bit on the old side, most probably 10+ years.
* Heā€™s a wild caught bird.

Yes, you read that right. Wild caught bird. We found out a few days ago that the person who originally had him had bought him from someone else who had actually caught Max from the wild. We have lots of wild IRNā€™s here.
Would I free him? Absolutely not. We donā€™t know how long heā€™s been kept in captavity and I canā€™t take the risk. Heā€™s a clumsy flier as well so that wouldnā€™t be good.
Given that, I probably think that he may never be fully tamed. And I donā€™t mind that. This will still be his forever home.

Now, Iā€™ve been thinking about getting another bird for a while now and I think it would be good company for Max as well. I wouldnā€™t get a bird right now but maybe in 3 - 4 months. Iā€™ll be doing lots of research and checking places to rescue till then.

* Which bird would get along with Max well, another IRN or a cockatiel?

If I get another IRN, Iā€™m afraid that they may not get along. Max has a small injury on his beak just below his nose (donā€™t worry, heā€™s fine). The vet said that it probably happened in a fight with another IRN. Plus, heā€™s not really a fighter so Iā€™m afraid that if a fight were to break out, he wouldnā€™t defend himself as much. My priority is Maxā€™s safety and comfort here. I donā€™t want to stress him out.

Iā€™ve read that cockatiels are very sweet and I think I would like that. However, Iā€™ve also read some people saying that IRNā€™s can be aggressive towards cockatiels, how far is it true?

If you think that either is not a good idea, please let me know! I would 100% drop the idea. Iā€™ve been wanting another bird for sometime now and I just think it would help Max as well since he must have been part of a flock in the wild.

{NOTE: I am not planning to getting a bird FOR my bird. Thatā€™s always a bad idea.}

Plus some other questions,
* how do you introduce two birds? They would be kept in seperate cages.
* How do you deal with feeding time outside the cage? Max always has his lunch and dinner outside. With another bird, should they have different spots / places for food to avoid fights?
* How do you break a fight if it ever starts?


Thank you for reading this.
 
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ChristaNL

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Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Oke, plze forgive me if I say things that have already been said, some days my brain (the memmoriepart anyway) resembles porridge.

If Max is a dna'd dude you could think about getting him a same-species friend.
(Not sure who are nicer: the ladies or the gents - not an IRN expert)

What we usually do here if people end up with a wild bird (untamable or truely unhappy around humans) that cannot be released ever again is to build it the largest aviary you can (of find someone who has one) and let it live its live on it own terms (as far as we can), maybe find some other rescues (if it is a sociable one, some birds really need to stay alone because they are too fragile/ handicapped anyway to deal with same-species birds, sometimes you can go with smaller birds, just to make sure the bird is not totally isolated.).
So if you have the resources - that would be great.

Of course you still have plenty of time to try and tame him- my (formerly handraised) macaw came here almost tame and is only now showing signs of not being a homocidal maniac anytime she feels like it....



If you would like tiel for your own company- I think you'd do great.

It might actually help heaps if Max couls see how a "nomal" tame bird interacts with humans ->
here they watch each other all the time and learn things I could not teach as well or as fast.

This was posted yesterday (I'd love to give credits, but I seem to have lost the name again< so sorry) https://m.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=672
that kind of says it all.

Breaking up fights wil come naturally- just plunk your hand in between them... but you'll find you will react on instinct if you ever need to do that.

I always used feedingtime/ snacktime (and showertime) to get the birds together.
(after they've been tested and quarantained of course)
Eating, sleeping, playing etc.etc. at the same time is what builds a flock.
 
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reeisconfused

reeisconfused

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rescued IRN Max and Cockatiel Honey
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Oke, plze forgive me if I say things that have already been said, some days my brain (the memmoriepart anyway) resembles porridge.

If Max is a dna'd dude you could think about getting him a same-species friend.
(Not sure who are nicer: the ladies or the gents - not an IRN expert)

What we usually do here if people end up with a wild bird (untamable or truely unhappy around humans) that cannot be released ever again is to build it the largest aviary you can (of find someone who has one) and let it live its live on it own terms (as far as we can), maybe find some other rescues (if it is a sociable one, some birds really need to stay alone because they are too fragile/ handicapped anyway to deal with same-species birds, sometimes you can go with smaller birds, just to make sure the bird is not totally isolated.).
So if you have the resources - that would be great.

Of course you still have plenty of time to try and tame him- my (formerly handraised) macaw came here almost tame and is only now showing signs of not being a homocidal maniac anytime she feels like it....



If you would like tiel for your own company- I think you'd do great.

It might actually help heaps if Max couls see how a "nomal" tame bird interacts with humans ->
here they watch each other all the time and learn things I could not teach as well or as fast.

This was posted yesterday (I'd love to give credits, but I seem to have lost the name again< so sorry) https://m.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=672
that kind of says it all.

Breaking up fights wil come naturally- just plunk your hand in between them... but you'll find you will react on instinct if you ever need to do that.

I always used feedingtime/ snacktime (and showertime) to get the birds together.
(after they've been tested and quarantained of course)
Eating, sleeping, playing etc.etc. at the same time is what builds a flock.

Hello! thank you for your response.
Unfortunately I canā€™t build an aviary here nor do I know anyone who has one. I have a meshed balcony where Max can sit out and enjoy outside but he prefers staying in the house! I would love a second bird for myself as well as for Max too because I feel like he misses his flock. Imagine living for years in a flock and being seperated abruptly from them. I think some company would do him good. My only concern is that if I get a cockatiel, Max might get aggressive towards him. But if I get an IRN, it probably would not work out as well since the younger one might try to dominate him seeing that heā€™s old.
 

ChristaNL

Banned
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May 23, 2018
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157
NL= the Netherlands, Europe
Parrots
Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
How about a senegal?
They are bulkier than the tiels and though they can be a tough as nails, they are also (raised right) major cuddlebundles and rather sociable.
(to other birds / judging by stories, no personal experience...though I met one last year I would not mind adding to the socially inept flock here. That one was sooo cute!)
They are small enough to be easily manageable.
 
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Laurasea

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Crista that was a great reply aƱd link. I love the plunk your hand down between, I have done plunty of plunking! Reeisconfused you should pick the species that you want. I've seen vids of quajeres, GCC and other birds with IRN, so I think you can try what you want. I have a breakfast bar that I spread seeds and treats or their veggies at and have everybody do a flock feed, works pretty well. I don't bring new birds together I let them decide when to intereact when they ate out together in group areas. But I dtavk the deck by making sure everyone is in a good mood first. I hope you find the second parrot you want and that it really does help the guy you have now
 
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reeisconfused

reeisconfused

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rescued IRN Max and Cockatiel Honey
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How about a senegal?
They are bulkier than the tiels and though they can be a tough as nails, they are also (raised right) major cuddlebundles and rather sociable.
(to other birds / judging by stories, no personal experience...though I met one last year I would not mind adding to the socially inept flock here. That one was sooo cute!)
They are small enough to be easily manageable.


Hello! Iā€™m planning to rescue and there arenā€™t senegals in my area that are up for adoption. The senegal breeders are far away from where I live. Iā€™ve seen lots of cockatiels up for adoption so I thought theyā€™d be good!
 
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reeisconfused

reeisconfused

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Crista that was a great reply aƱd link. I love the plunk your hand down between, I have done plunty of plunking! Reeisconfused you should pick the species that you want. I've seen vids of quajeres, GCC and other birds with IRN, so I think you can try what you want. I have a breakfast bar that I spread seeds and treats or their veggies at and have everybody do a flock feed, works pretty well. I don't bring new birds together I let them decide when to intereact when they ate out together in group areas. But I dtavk the deck by making sure everyone is in a good mood first. I hope you find the second parrot you want and that it really does help the guy you have now

Thank you for your response!
Thatā€™s great advice. I really want to get a cockatiel so I may be looking into that. Iā€™ve read that cockatiels should always be kept in pairs, is this true? I would want just one cockatiel. I think that if I got two, theyā€™d bond with each other and not be interested in anyone else.
 

ChristaNL

Banned
Banned
May 23, 2018
3,559
157
NL= the Netherlands, Europe
Parrots
Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
I do not agree, lots of birds are kept solo, because it makes them more responsive to human-bird interaction.
If you want to rescue a cute, tame tiel ... by all means, do so! :)


Every bird deserves a great place to live- and if you can make it better for everyone that would be great.


(just remember the tests/ quarantaine etc. ;) )


===


IMPORTANT: it was LeslieA who posted that great link (in http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/77619-quarantine-multibird-homes.html )
I just found it again ;)


Thank you again, LeslieA
(sorry I forgot your name in the first place)
 
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reeisconfused

reeisconfused

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rescued IRN Max and Cockatiel Honey
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I do not agree, lots of birds are kept solo, because it makes them more responsive to human-bird interaction.
If you want to rescue a cute, tame tiel ... by all means, do so! :)


Every bird deserves a great place to live- and if you can make it better for everyone that would be great.


(just remember the tests/ quarantaine etc. ;) )


===


IMPORTANT: it was LeslieA who posted that great link (in http://www.parrotforums.com/general-health-care/77619-quarantine-multibird-homes.html )
I just found it again ;)


Thank you again, LeslieA
(sorry I forgot your name in the first place)


Thank you so much for responding!
Iā€™ll definately be rescuing a bird 2 - 3 months. Iā€™m mostly leaning towards a cockatiel but If I can find a tamed sweet natured ringneck, I may reconsider. Max doesnā€™t have a fighting bone in him so I have to make sure the second bird is just as sweet!
 

EllenD

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I would feel free to get yourself another bird, however, there is absolutely no way to know whether or not Max will get along with any other bird, nor if any other bird you bring home will get along with Max, regardless of the species. So if you're planning on getting a second bird, it needs to be completely about what YOU want, not what would be good for Max, because you just cannot gauge that. Cockatiels are wonderful pet parrots, they are typically sweet, love to cuddle, love attention, and make wonderful companions for people. So if that's what you're looking for, then I can't recommend a better species of parrot for you...

As far as Max and whatever other bird comes home, they may bond closely and love each other to death, they may tolerate each other, they may hate each other, or they may be aggressive and violent with each other. So you need to approach the situation in a way where you're prepared for the possibility that Max and the new bird will have to be kept separately from each other, and maybe even not be able to be out of their cages and in the same room together at all. Hopefully that won't be the case, but you must be completely prepared for that possibility. For example, I have a male Senegal who does not get along at all with my Green Cheek, my Quaker, or my Cockatiel, while my Green Cheek and my Quaker are quite close with each other, and my Cockatiel hates them all, lol...So even though all 4 of them are always out of their cages any time that I'm at home and as soon as I come home, I have them set-up in such a ways that all 4 of them are safe, separated from each other, and also so that all 4 of them get hours with me each day. A lot of people don't prepare for this situation when bringing home a new bird, and as a result they end-up just housing the new bird in the same room with the older bird, and this causes everything from stressed birds to injured birds to worse...as well as birds who don't get enough time out of their cages or with their people.

So as long as you're fully prepared and ready for any possible outcome regarding how the new bird is going to relate to Max, there shouldn't be any issues with bringing home another bird to add to your flock...and that's exactly what you and your family are to Max, your his "flock". A bird's flock does not at all have to be made-up of other birds, it's important to remember that. Yes, Max came from living in a flock of other IRN's out in the wild, however, as long as you and your family are Max's new flock, then he won't ever be lonely, sad, depressed, etc. He doesn't need another bird as long as he has a close relationship with his new "flock", your family.
 

FlyBirdiesFly

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The only thing about cockatiels is that theyā€™re very calm and gentle, so theyā€™re an easy target to be bullied by other birds. I have a cockatiel, two budgies, and a GCC, and all the other birds pick on my tiel. My green cheek is an attention hog and always jealous of the cockatiel, so he chases her off me when he has the chance. One of my budgies even tries to ā€˜pounceā€™ on my cockatielā€™s back and watch her fly away in fright. Theyā€™re really just trying to annoy her, and they would never actually hurt each other. As a result of all this, the cockatiel is afraid of the other birds and is always cautious when sheā€™s out together with them. She requires separate out of cage time every day in addition to the time when all the birds are out together.

Iā€™m not saying it couldnā€™t work with a cockatiel and IRN, but you need to prepare for the possibility of the ringneck bullying the cockatiel and you need to have extra time for the cockatiel. You never know how 2 birds will react to each other: they could hate each other, tolerate each other, ignore each other, or even become friends. My birds are okay to be out together with supervision, but since the cockatiel gets chased a lot she needs separate time away from the other birds. I can feel confident that they arenā€™t a danger to each other, but what if your IRN decides he wants to end the cockatiel? Youā€™ll have to be willing to give them separate out of cage time if it doesnā€™t work out.

As to cockatiels needing to be kept in pairs, that isnā€™t true. My cockatiel is very bonded to me and wants nothing to do with other birds. Cockatiels are no different than any other companion parrot. The only exception I would make to that rule would be budgies.
 
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reeisconfused

reeisconfused

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I would feel free to get yourself another bird, however, there is absolutely no way to know whether or not Max will get along with any other bird, nor if any other bird you bring home will get along with Max, regardless of the species. So if you're planning on getting a second bird, it needs to be completely about what YOU want, not what would be good for Max, because you just cannot gauge that. Cockatiels are wonderful pet parrots, they are typically sweet, love to cuddle, love attention, and make wonderful companions for people. So if that's what you're looking for, then I can't recommend a better species of parrot for you...

As far as Max and whatever other bird comes home, they may bond closely and love each other to death, they may tolerate each other, they may hate each other, or they may be aggressive and violent with each other. So you need to approach the situation in a way where you're prepared for the possibility that Max and the new bird will have to be kept separately from each other, and maybe even not be able to be out of their cages and in the same room together at all. Hopefully that won't be the case, but you must be completely prepared for that possibility. For example, I have a male Senegal who does not get along at all with my Green Cheek, my Quaker, or my Cockatiel, while my Green Cheek and my Quaker are quite close with each other, and my Cockatiel hates them all, lol...So even though all 4 of them are always out of their cages any time that I'm at home and as soon as I come home, I have them set-up in such a ways that all 4 of them are safe, separated from each other, and also so that all 4 of them get hours with me each day. A lot of people don't prepare for this situation when bringing home a new bird, and as a result they end-up just housing the new bird in the same room with the older bird, and this causes everything from stressed birds to injured birds to worse...as well as birds who don't get enough time out of their cages or with their people.

So as long as you're fully prepared and ready for any possible outcome regarding how the new bird is going to relate to Max, there shouldn't be any issues with bringing home another bird to add to your flock...and that's exactly what you and your family are to Max, your his "flock". A bird's flock does not at all have to be made-up of other birds, it's important to remember that. Yes, Max came from living in a flock of other IRN's out in the wild, however, as long as you and your family are Max's new flock, then he won't ever be lonely, sad, depressed, etc. He doesn't need another bird as long as he has a close relationship with his new "flock", your family.

I absolutely love your take on this, thank you so much for responding!
Ofcourse, they would have seperate cages all the time and will be supervised 100% when theyā€™re out. If I were to get a baby bird, would that be okay? Iā€™m not sure if it would be safe to introduce a baby bird to my resident bird?

The thing you said about flock makes so much sense! Max hates everything and everyone lol but its nice to think that to him, weā€™re his flock.
 
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reeisconfused

reeisconfused

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rescued IRN Max and Cockatiel Honey
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The only thing about cockatiels is that theyā€™re very calm and gentle, so theyā€™re an easy target to be bullied by other birds. I have a cockatiel, two budgies, and a GCC, and all the other birds pick on my tiel. My green cheek is an attention hog and always jealous of the cockatiel, so he chases her off me when he has the chance. One of my budgies even tries to ā€˜pounceā€™ on my cockatielā€™s back and watch her fly away in fright. Theyā€™re really just trying to annoy her, and they would never actually hurt each other. As a result of all this, the cockatiel is afraid of the other birds and is always cautious when sheā€™s out together with them. She requires separate out of cage time every day in addition to the time when all the birds are out together.

Iā€™m not saying it couldnā€™t work with a cockatiel and IRN, but you need to prepare for the possibility of the ringneck bullying the cockatiel and you need to have extra time for the cockatiel. You never know how 2 birds will react to each other: they could hate each other, tolerate each other, ignore each other, or even become friends. My birds are okay to be out together with supervision, but since the cockatiel gets chased a lot she needs separate time away from the other birds. I can feel confident that they arenā€™t a danger to each other, but what if your IRN decides he wants to end the cockatiel? Youā€™ll have to be willing to give them separate out of cage time if it doesnā€™t work out.

As to cockatiels needing to be kept in pairs, that isnā€™t true. My cockatiel is very bonded to me and wants nothing to do with other birds. Cockatiels are no different than any other companion parrot. The only exception I would make to that rule would be budgies.

This is certainly something Iā€™ll look out for if I get a cockatiel. They were be supervised 100% of the time. Seperate cages too. Even if they were to bond, I donā€™t think same cage would be a good idea because if fights break out, they might hurt each other.
I asked about pairs because many people told me that they should always be kept in pairs as they are usually bought up in each otherā€™s company and if they get ā€œseperatedā€ from the rest of the flock, this can cause stress to them.
 

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