will my remaining grey suffer without a companion bird?

emcbadger

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Jan 19, 2020
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i have a grey Earl, who is 12years old and a rescue who i’ve had for 11 years, he is epileptic but tame and loves human interaction with me. Until this weekend he had shared the living room with Charlie a 35year old rescue grey who didn’t like Earl or share a cage with him but was in the same room vocalising for 9 years. Charlie sadly died suddenly over the weekend, the vets think heart attack as he was a healthy bird with no obvious problems but i’m worried now that Earl will feel lonely even though they weren’t bonded- is this likely? He’s been quiet this weekend which is to be expected but i don’t want him to get stressed and possibly bring on fits if he misses the noise of another grey- any thoughts would be great
 

SailBoat

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Jul 10, 2015
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You will receive a cross-section of advise regarding whether you should consider getting another bird for 'possible' companionship.

Personally, I would increase my time with your Grey. Since, you have a working relationship, work on enhancing it. I believe that you will find new levels in your relationship!

Sorry for your loss!
 
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E

emcbadger

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thankyou for your reply, i’m going to be really interested to see how it changes our relationship now he’s the only bird- he’ll definitely get more attention etc and hopefully he will go back to being the chatty noisy bird he normally is ��
 

SailBoat

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thankyou for your reply, i’m going to be really interested to see how it changes our relationship now he’s the only bird- he’ll definitely get more attention etc and hopefully he will go back to being the chatty noisy bird he normally is ��

They are emotional and the loss of a room mate will effect them. Love on your grey and both of you talk about your shared loss and finding increased time for each other. You will find the talking helps both of you...
 

Scott

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Aug 21, 2010
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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
My deepest condolences for your sudden loss of Charlie.

I agree 500% with the advice offered by Sailboat.
 

texsize

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The short answer I would give you is your remaining African Grey may indeed be a bit lonely. But there is no guarantee that a new bird would help the situation.

I had a similar situation with my Amazons. 2 died within a year of each other leaving me with my YNA Bingo. Bingo had never been friendly with the other 2, in fact if they were ever put together I think Bingo would do his best to kill them.
But Bingo was a bit sad. I have had him since 1986 and can read his moods very well.
After close to a year and keeping my ear perked up for just the right bird I found an Amazon that was in need of a home.
I got the bird for me and my family not for Bingo, The house just was not the same without the other 2 amazons.
I ended up getting a second Amazon of the same species as a friend for the new one and they are getting along fairly well.

But what I have noticed (and the point of all this typing) is that Bingo is taking more of an interest in these new Amazons. He watches them play and anytime I do something to there cage he is right there watching to see what is happening.

I only have 4 years of experience with my African Grey. My Grey Bella is also going through puberty and that can change everything. BUT my gut feeling is she would be more interested in another grey in the house more that the Amazons. She imitates all 3 amazons but I have to be very carful about letting them out of the cage at the same time. Merlin the youngest Amazon has taken to flying by/close to Bella and she does NOT like that.
 

LeaKP

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thankyou for your reply, i’m going to be really interested to see how it changes our relationship now he’s the only bird- he’ll definitely get more attention etc and hopefully he will go back to being the chatty noisy bird he normally is ��



They are emotional and the loss of a room mate will effect them. Love on your grey and both of you talk about your shared loss and finding increased time for each other. You will find the talking helps both of you...



You’re worried and grieving. Any decision like adding a bird or not will best be made as time goes by. I guess what I’m saying is don’t get a bird out of grief wait until you know it’s right for you both. Just my two cents.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
So sorry for your sudden loss- that has to be hard....
I have 2 thoughts:
1) make sure you know why your rescue passed away (a necroscopy if possible, or testing of your other bird for disease if a necroscopy is too late).
2) Even if you got another Grey, it is specific to that particular bird---so a new one (although it may look the same) isn't going to be the same to your bird. They could love each other or hate each other, but it won't replace the one who is gone because they are individuals just like people.
 
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emcbadger

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Jan 19, 2020
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thankyou for the replies i definitely don’t intend on getting another initially, the house needs to adjust to one bird ownership and i need time to see if earl seems ok in himself, if so i will stay a one bird house as being epileptic he does need a lot of care ( don’t they all) i think it was more just having another bird of the same species in the room i wondered if he’d miss, the noise and vocalising- they never got on so it’s not as stressful i imagine as losing a paired bird etc, post mortem is being done as despite the grief earl and his health is now my priority so need to make sure charlie was as healthy as he seemed
 

AmyMyBlueFront

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Apr 14, 2015
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Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
So sorry to read about your loss. This is just MY opinion so take it with a grain of salt. When Smokey (TAG) passed away a few years back I was heart broken of course..she was with me 26 yrs. Also Amy my Amazon had been in the same household since he was 4 months old..Amy knew Smokes for almost 25 years. Even though Amy wanted to be friends Smokey wanted no part of it. Long story short..I had always had two fids. I could tell Amy was grieving also. He wouldn't come out of his house..didn't talk..only came down to eat and drink then go back to his perch. It took a few weeks. One day he climbed down his house and climbed up the couch to snuggle under my chin..it was all good after that.



Jim
 

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