Second conure? Good idea or not

I've considered getting a second sun conure to keep Lucy company and hopefully lessen the attachment she has to me in hopes that she becomes friendlier toward other people in my house. Would that happen? How do you think Lucy would react to a new bird coming in and is there usually any problems with bringing a new bird home? Would I need a second cage for it or what?

Thank you

You don't mention how long you've had Lucy, nor what Lucy does that' not friendly with others in the household, but yes, Lucy would probably accept a second bird...sun conure or other, though it might take some time or they could hit it right off.

While Lucy has an attachment to you, a new bird would not, so it might take a while for it to accept everyone, and yes, new bird, new cage, though it would not need to be a large, fancy one.....would it be a mature bird? Would it be a mature bird, a rescue, a re-home or a young bird coming to a first time new home? Unless you want to deal with eggs & chicks, you might want to consider another hen.....won't preclude egg laying, but you wouldn't have to contend with chicks.

Whenever a new bird is brought into a flock, they should be quarantined for 45 days, unless you are familiar with the bird and its history.....not as related to you by someone else, but that you know the previous owner, the bird's health & that you are familiar with its attitude.....most people don't do this though.

Just because it's another bird...even another bird of the same species, that doesn't mean you can arbitrarily put a new one in with Lucy.....how would you feel if someone you didn't know moved into your room with you, so yes, another cage required.....at least until the birds decide to make their own sleeping arrangements.

Problems could range from standoffishness, to aggression.....you just have to wait & see.....if you do bring home a new bird, be sure to introduce the new bird to Lucy...there is a pecking order & Lucy being the resident bird, may be more tolerable & more accepting on a new one, because unless there's something wrong, she'll most likely assume a dominate roll with a new on & you introducing the new bird to her would help her establish her position.....

Sorry for not elaborating. I've had Lucy about 5 years of her 7 year life. And what she does is fly at and bite my mom (and only my mom, not my dad or sister) any chance she gets. She does the same thing with strangers. I don't know why but it might have to do with her being "protective" over me. Also if Lucy is on my shoulder, and anyone tries to touch me, she'll become aggressive. I guess my main question is would getting another lessen her attachment to me?

And the new bird, if I were to get one, would probably come from the pet store and be another sun conure.

Thanks for the added info.....makes it easier to offer suggestions. Yes, her aggression is protective, but it's hard to say what the problem might be with your mother, unless she wears her hair in a manner Lucy doesn't like, wears bright clothes...or...if she yells at you a lot.

A couple of my birds will try to attack others if they reach for me, but if I set the bird on their arm, there's usually no problem, unless the bird just doesn't like the person.

If you don't have inside dogs or cats, I would clip or have Lucy's wings clipped.....you will be surprised in the change in her attitude. She will regrow the feathers with her next moult. I mentioned having her clipped because some birds may hold a grudge for a while, but they get over it. Just be careful that the cut is not too severe & that both wings are clipped the same.

Good luck

weco said:

Thanks for the added info.....makes it easier to offer suggestions. Yes, her aggression is protective, but it's hard to say what the problem might be with your mother, unless she wears her hair in a manner Lucy doesn't like, wears bright clothes...or...if she yells at you a lot.

A couple of my birds will try to attack others if they reach for me, but if I set the bird on their arm, there's usually no problem, unless the bird just doesn't like the person.

If you don't have inside dogs or cats, I would clip or have Lucy's wings clipped.....you will be surprised in the change in her attitude. She will regrow the feathers with her next moult. I mentioned having her clipped because some birds may hold a grudge for a while, but they get over it. Just be careful that the cut is not too severe & that both wings are clipped the same.

Good luck

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My mom doesn't wear brightly color clothes or anything like that and she never yells at me. What may set Lucy off is she might sense the tension and nervousness my mom gets when Lucy is around because she's afraid of being bitten. But Lucy might feel that as a threat rather than fear. That is just my assumption.

Occasionally Lucy will go after my dad like she does my mom. But my dad shows no fear and he will scold her and make her calm down and she generally accepts him now.

I have no other pets inside the house and a few years ago, I did have her wings clipped to try to change her attitude and try to make her more accepting of my mom. That didn't work because whenever my mom got too close, she'd attempt to fly at her but just end up on the floor. I found that having her wings clipped was much more of a hassle as well because I'd have to carry her everywhere and I got pooped on more often because she couldn't fly to her perch when she had to go.

I've been having the same problem with Iago. He hates everyone except for my mom and I. I've thought it might be because he is so attached to me and being protective. I've also considered wing clipping and buying him a friend but am still unsure of both solutions so far.

Clipping isn't a solution, it is a deterrent.

You might end up with two birds who completely rely on you but hate each other, or maybe a bird who wants nothing to do with you but interacts with someone else in the family. There is no way of telling how a second bird will change the relationship with your first, so you should be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.


Have you ever looked into positive reinforcement and clicker training?

As everyone stated you have no way to know how the birds will act with each other. They could hate each other or end up hateing you and liking each other. To be honest I do not think a second bird will help with any behaviour problems you are dealing with. You will have to correct it. It will not happen over night but if your mothers says no to the bird like your father did then the bird will stop eventualy. In the wild birds do not make each other bleed or bully each other. No bird would put up with that in the wild. Any bird tht was antisocial like that would be a loner in the wild and a meal to any raptor bird since he or she could not get along with others. While wing clipping is not a solution it is a restraint and can be a help in working on her issues.