Keeping an only bird

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but here I go. I have a male green cheek conure who is approximately two to three years old. I have had him for eight months now. I got him from a place where he was bought and returned, spent some time in the store, not the best conditions, etc. you know how it goes. So, he has come a long way. He was cage aggressive and afraid of hands but he has made some great improvements with lots of love and attention.
Anyway, I wonder if he would benefit from having a conure company. You know, when we all go to work and so on. I spend at least five hours a day with him as it is. However, I wonder if he would be a good candidate for getting a bird companion.
Thoughts?
Thank you.
Dee

Welcome to the forum. Hopefully you stay an active member.
I like having more than one bird, and some of them get along and some don't.
When you bring in a new bird you have to quarantine to ensure you aren't bringing in diseases, and you need to have a complete second set up , most of the time even if the birds get along, they don't like sharing a cage. We always say don't get a second bird unless you want one. But I think there is a lot of benefits of having two, but there are times when the two birds hate each other and attack on sight.

Hello and welcome!

Your question is asked a lot. Here is one thread specific to Conures.

http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/78989-adding-second-conure-good-wrong-idea.html

Good Luck!

Thank you for the reply. I am not sure I really want a second bird. I just feel a bit guilty that maybe I am depriving Remi of an opportunity to socialize with his own kind.

I love that you care.


We all want the best for our birds of course and almost all parrots are flockbirds or will interact in other ways with more birds around them (f.e. the ekkies).


But... we have birds because we want a companion, and thanks to lots of birds being (hand)raised away from the parents we have a lot out there that do not even recognize themselves as 'bird', let alone know what to do with another one they do not recognize as the same species...


so it really depends on the bird if you do him/her a favor in adding another one.
(It helps if you know how the bird was raised/ socialized, but a lot of times we do not know--and its guesstime)


That's is why you will read here: only get a second bird if YOU want a second bird (and have the time and space - that means if you have to seperate your birds because, worst case scenario, they happen to "fall in hate" with each other: do you have a seperate cage (or even room) for the second bird, do you have heaps of time for each seperate bird?)
It is better for a bird to miss you a part of the day and have your full attention the time you *do* spend together than to miss you a part of the day and then miss you because there you are deviding your time and energy between that one and the competition...


Some birds will love a friend, some will be semi-indifferent, some wil hate it ... there are no guaranties. (And sometimes it will change as they grow older.)


Sorry, there is no right/ wrong answer here.

Thank you, your answers are very helpful
I don't know much about his previous life but it wasn't great, being returned to the store and people probably poking their fingers at him all day. Don't think he had a companion either because he was alone in a small (rusty!) cage in that store, although he did have other birds in separate cages to listen to.
I agree with the last suggestion - maybe it is better for him to have my undivided attention even if some days he has to wait for me to come home from work.
He takes showers with me, eats at the dinner table with the family and has two dogs to watch all day. We leave the TV on as well for him.
He is not a hyperactive kind. He is content to snuggle and watch TV with me, or just ride around the house on my shoulder. I was just thinking that another feathered friend would animate him a little more. Doesn't really play with his toys unless I hold something for him.
Is that normal for older conures?

I don't know if it helps, but here's my 2cents...

we had budgies for 20 years, half of that time we always had 2... I live in a country where there is close to none good infos on birds, so even 'bird quatantine' is something new to me... I bought a budgie, then bought another one, put it into a seperate cage for a few days, they didn't seem to hate eachother so we put them into the same cage and it stayed that way till one died... I have no idea if my family and I were just stupid or extremely lucky though... looking back, I tend to lean towards stupid a lot more :56:
cause a friend had a completelly opposite experience... had a male budgie, wanted a friend for him, bought a nother one (turned out it was a female), they were fine till they were in seperate cages but one day they put them into the same cage and the female went berserk after a few days, it got so bad that she even tried to kill the male, hunted hm down, pulled his feathers out, it was bad... they had to rehome the female... that male was a super sweet birdie before but after that he wouldn't let anyone hold him at all anymore, the poor fluff....

I have a sun conure now, 7 yearl old and oh man have I wanted a second bird so so much... not for her but for me, I'd have 20 if I could... but... with everything that has happened lately (huge panic, huge egg, surgery, almost lost her, bird is now drugged up on implants, still makes me cry) and knowing my bird and her character very well, she is too much of an attention-hog to be able to even remotely tolerate any competition in the same home, she even gets jelaous of my phone... she demands every second of any time I have when at home and I know that a second bird would deffinitelly be a problem in our home, with her character I would bet she would even attack it to get it away from me... she is not aggressive or out to get anyone (does not attack people), but very protective and as I said - an attention-hog, a huge one... so yeah, I decided to not get a second bird, maybe not at all maybe not for a few years, I have no idea, but right now it would be a bad idea, even if I want one very bad...

I asked myself the same question a little while ago. I have one sun co fire, but came from a home with other birds for company. That being said, she was only a year old when I got here, so she adjusted to my bird less home well. From what you described, 5 hours a day with your bird is great. If you got a second, there is a chance you would have to divide your time between 2 birds. I decided that in the house I live in currently, she would be more happy getting our undivided attention (except for the dogs and fish and snake). She doesnt seem any worse for the wear being an only birdie.

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Ok, well I feel a little better now.
Yeah, I am just afraid that he may not like another bird, and then what happens. I really don't want to stretch my time between two birds and two dogs, lol.
Right now, I have a very old dog(16 years) who sleeps most of the day. And then there is Remi, my bird, and the other small dog who is four years old and loves to play. So, it's busy.

I have NEVER been a "one-bird" person. I've generally had at LEAST two birds ever since I was 12 (I got my first bird at age 11). There have been two other periods where I had just one bird. For a few years before I got Skittles (I got him in 2011) and since the tail end of 2015 (when Peaches, my tiel, passed).

IF I 'knew' for sure that Skittles would welcome another bird, I'd get one in a second. But I am 95% certain it wouldn't work out so I've had to adapt.

I'm not the type of person who makes a decision on whether or not to add a bird based on my own desire to have another, but rather how it will affect the birds I already own. I just don't think it would be fair to the new bird as I can't see Skittles being willing to share me with another bird.

I think that if your current situation has your only bird spending a lot of time in their cage alone, a second bird might not be a bad idea (provided all other considerations are met). But I don't think people should automatically think owning just one bird is somehow cruel or depriving them socially. I think what matters most is the level of care and attention they get from their parronts. Given that Skittles is free-flighted and is left alone a maximum of 3hrs a day, he's not deprived of attention by any means.

I have a friend who will tell me I need to get Skitty a girlfriend or that he'd be happier with another bird as a playmate I show her a video of him cuddling or tell her some sweet thing he did. If I HONESTLY believed that were true, I'd get him one. But I think he'd more than likely kill the second sunny before he would ever bond with it. When I got Skittles, I'd already had Peaches for over 15yrs and while she was totally unphased by him, he was incredibly jealous of her. I could not have them out at the same time cause he'd attack her and she was just far too passive to defend herself. Even my friend thinks that could very well be the case yet she still mentions it. It ticks me off. I think she's jealous cause she even says you cant "cuddle" a bird, despite me showing her videos of it. She's in denial.

Thank you for your input Skittys Dad!
Yeah, the only reason I would get another bird right now is to keep Remi company, and that is not the right reason. So, I am not getting another bird. Because I suspect that Remi may be jealous.
He loves spending time with us, loves his shoulder time, beak rubs, sharing food...
If I got another bird, that would all change. I would have to have two of them on my shoulder and I am not sure he would like that, lol.
Also, I would not want to get a baby bird. I would only get a rehome, but they are kind of hard to find in my area right now.

RemiBird said:

Thank you for the reply. I am not sure I really want a second bird. I just feel a bit guilty that maybe I am depriving Remi of an opportunity to socialize with his own kind.

Click to expand...

It is nice that you care about your bird's well-being, but NEVER get a 2nd bird unless you want one..There are just too many possible complications. That isn't to say that it can't work but in terms of negatives, think pair-bonding (excluding you), possible egg-laying issues, possible hormones, increased disease risk (asymptomatic carriers), possible extreme jealousy, fighting, more screaming, increases vet /food bills etc etc...


Now, the positives are out there too...but my point is, if it isn't for you, don't do it because they may not get along to the point that you can't even have them out at the same time without constantly watching to ensure that they are being safe...

I think you answered your own question...What would you do if you brought home another bird and they didn't get along? If you even have to ask yourself that question then you shouldn't get another bird. Period. Because all that's going to happen is you'll have 2 birds that now BOTH need your attention, so you've just doubled your original problem...No Bueno.

***I have multiple birds, and as Laura said many people do and love it. However, that "rule' of "Only buy a second bird if YOU WANT THE SECOND BIRD, and NEVER buy a second bird for your first bird" has pretty much been made a 'rule" for a very good reason. I wanted a second a bird. So did Laura. And that's totally fine for us. But it's quite obvious that you do not want a second bird for yourself, so you've already answered the question for yourself. And it seems quite counterintuitive to bring home a second parrot when your issue and the only reason you're doing it in the first place is that you feel like you don't have enough time for your first bird, lol.

Here's the thing: Birds/Parrots form relationships/bonds with other birds in much the same way people do. They meet them and they form first-impressions, and over-time they form one of many different types of relationships with them. They might love them to death and bond very closely with each other, and if they are of the opposite sex (another thing you won't be able to know without having them both DNA-tested for gender) and they bond-closely they will no-doubt start breeding and laying eggs. They might like each other but not to the point of breeding or wanting to be with each other every minute of the day. They might simply tolerate each other being around without being aggressive, but not really like each other much. They might really dislike each other and not want much to do with each other at all, and have to be kept separated because little 'nips" happen when they're together...And yes, they might hate each other, be very jealous of each other over you and the rest of their "Flock" who live in the house, and they might be extremely aggressive and violent...And not only do you have absolutley NO WAY iof knowing what type of relationship any new bird will have with your current bird, but you also have to realize that the relationship between the two of them can also change over-time, just like relationships between people change, and you have to be ready at any time to have to put them into separate cages and even have to have a special routine/schedule where both of them have separate out-of-cage-time each day. So the bottom-line is that you must be prepared to have to spend equal time with 2 different birds separately for the next 30+ years...

****Something else that people thinking about "bringing home a friend for their current bird" don't EVER think about or take into consideration is the fact that if your current bird and the new bird bond very closely with one-another (especially if they are of the opposite sex), it's possible and quite common for both birds, including your current bird that you've been bonded with for a long, long time, to no longer want to have much of anything to do with you at all because they now have a Flock-member that is another bird, and they would rather be very closely bonded with another bird than with a person....It's very sad when this happens because it resulted from nothing other than a concerned parrot owner wanting to provide a "friend' for their bird that they love very much and are quite close with and bonded to, and all that ends-up happening is they end-up with basically a bonded-pair of birds that want nothing at all to do with people any longer, that cannot be handled any longer, that bite, and that just want to be with one another alone and unbothered...There are varying-degrees to which this happens, but typically there is a change in the dynamic between you and your current bird if they bond closely with the new bird closely, and it's not a good change in dynamic. So you need to also be prepared for this situation to develop over-time as well...

Bottom-line is that parrots are "Flock-Animals" that are extremely intelligent and extremely social, and when you make the decision to bring one into your home and your life, the idea should be that YOU are their friend, and that you and everyone else who lives in your home are going to be their "Flock". And typically parrots bond very closely with one particular person in the house, totally of their choosing for whatever reason (which there is no rhyme or reason to a lot of the time), and it appears that in your home and your "Flock", your Conure has chosen YOU as "his person" and is closely bonded with you. And if you are spending 5 hours a day with your bird on-average, that's pretty good and more than enough to keep your bird happy and healthy. YOU are his friend, and there is no reason why he would need another bird to be his friend too, unless something changes in the future where you can't spend very much time with him at all during the day.

It sounds like you love your bird very much and just want him to be as happy and healhty as possible,, and sometimes when we feel that strongly about our birds being happy, we make decisions that are not in their best-interest at all, and that end very badly. As long as your bird has a nice, large cage with lots of different types of toys (chewing, shredding, foraging, swinging/climbing, etc.) inside of it to entertain himself with, and as long as you try your best to let him out of his cage whenever you're at home, then there is no reason to bring home another bird right now when you don't at all seem like you want one. And if sometime in the future YOU decide that YOU want a second parrot in the house, but only because YOU want to add another bird to your Flock and as another companion for YOU, where you're certain that you'll have enough free time and desire to spend equal-time with each bird out of it's cage every day, even if they have to be separate because they don't get along, then that's totally fine. But only when YOU want another bird AS A COMPANION FOR YOU, NOT FOR YOUR CURRENT BIRD.

It sounds to me like you're doing just fine and you have a very happy little guy that is perfectly fine having you to himself for right now. There's nothing at all wrong with wanting to bring home another bird to add to your family, but not until you are personally ready for another one, and not until you yourself want one for you.

For 50 years I've been a one-bird person.
Two reasons:
1. The bird
2. Me

I want a companion bird.
I've always tried to learn all I can so I can give my bird the best possible care and environment.
If I'm going to deny a bird a life in nature the least I can do is learn its needs.
I give it tons and tons of my time and love.
Hopefully the bird will love me back.
To me that close relationship is the magic, and the primary reason I have a bird.

Besides the risk of birds getting hurt, getting a second bird carries a risk the birds bond so much they will need and want me less - except for room service and maid duties.
I don't want to become a caregiver who gets nothing in return besides pretty pets to look at.
I have my aquariums for that.

I guess I'm selfish.

Hi & Welcome Remi!


We got Mango b/c he woo'd us with his sheer cute n' cuddly nature, but being a companion for Mochi was also a contributing factor, sure.


That said, Mochi ended up getting all hormonal and grumpy and is no longer as sweet on him as she used to be (she's always chasing him around and trying to nip him!) so think about such situations before getting a second.

I really appreciate everyone's advice
It's interesting to read about different members' experiences; there is a lot to learn from that.
Remi seems like a happy fellow so it may be a good idea just to keep doing what we are doing. He is definitely included in most of the family's activities - he loves to sit down with us for dinner (he has a special perch at the dining room table), loves showers with me, cuddles on my shoulder when watching TV, and seems to enjoy waddling on the floor foraging. If I have to be at work at 8am, I usually get up at 4:30 am and have my morning coffee with him. Then when I get off work, he spends late afternoon and evening doing stuff with me around the house, or just sits on the sofa watching TV and checking the internet. He appreciates the company of the dogs and loves to throw his toys at the dogs passing by his cage, which is quite funny (the toys are light).
On days off, we are usually home most of the day, so he gets plenty of attention.
Like I said, it was just a thought that he may like another feathered creature around when we are at work. Oh well.

I've actually never considered getting a "second bird for my first bird" type mentality. Mainly because I've always tried to be the best companion I can for the bird(s) I have and I would never get a bird if I was not 100% sure I could meet all its needs. I just have always figured that if I would need to get a second bird to keep my first bird company, then I probably should not have gotten the first bird to begin with.

I DO want another bird, I want a pineapple green-cheek and have for the longest time. BUT, what I WANT would interfere with what Skittles NEEDS and that pretty much puts the kibosh on that idea. I have always put Skittles NEEDS ahead of my WANTS and even my NEEDS (unless not meeting my needs would prevent me from meeting his needs). The time for me adding a second bird passed a number of years ago.

And then there is the cost of keeping more than one bird...
Avian vets are very expensive.

It sounds like you spend quite a lot of time with him and he's totally happy and healthy without having any other birds around. It doesn't sound like he needs or even wants any new "friends" around...

If you are thinking that YOU want a second bird as another companion for YOU, then that's a different story. There's nothing at all wrong with adding more birds to your Flock, lots of us have multiple birds, but we also have to design our schedules/routines around spending time with each individual bird for the ones that don't get along. I won't explain my daily schedule because I have 4 birds that are all bonded closely with me and for the most part don't like each other much at all, and in some cases are aggressive with each other over their jealousy and just because they don't like each other...So my daily schedule is a bit nuts, but it works and after almost 3 years of doing it, it's just how our household dynamic is, and it works great. But all 4 bird's happiness and health is totally dependent on me being able to split my own time up throughout each weekday and then weekends in a certain way to provide them all with enough personal attention, play-time, and interaction/cuddle time, as they all love to sit with me whenever they can. So that's what you need to make sure that you're capable of doing before you add another bird to your family, can you divide your time between two different birds who might not be able to be together out of their cages and who will both need individual time with you every day...If you are certain you can do that and you are certain that the reason you're wanting to bring home another bird is because YOU want one, then I say go for it. However, if you are at all doubtful that you have enough free-time to be able to keep providing the same amount of time with BOTH BIRDS as you do with your one bird now, then that's a no-go.

Only you can make that decision, you just have to make sure you are using all of the information provided to you and you do the whole "Pro/Con" thing, and you are sure that you can keep providing your current bird with the same amount of time and attention (because what you're doing is great and you have a happy, healthy bird), and then also provide that to the second bird by itself if they don't happen to get along...

Otherwise, it sounds like you're a great parront and your little guy is as happy and healthy as can be, and I don't think the thought of wanting another bird as a "friend" has ever crossed his mind because he's completely happy with just you and your current Flock. Just keep doing what you're doing and don't stress about him not having another bird in the house as a friend, because it's not necessary and you're doing a great job!

So, we are in a similar situation, except we just put a downpayment on this little guy. He is 1 month old, so another month or so before we can bring him home. We have had our cinnamon conure for almost 2 years, and he strongly bonded with me. We are hoping this little guy bonds with my SO. We will quarantine him for a month and they will live separate cages. I really hope the birds become friends instead of enemies and this doesn't become a 30 year problem. We will slowly introduce them to each other.

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