Looking for opinions/suggestions

Hi everyone-

I have a 17mo sun conure. She is a great bird and is fairly well behaved (we are still working with her to help her through her "puberty stage" of course). She can be quite noisy (which I expect since she's a sun), however I can not leave her side, let alone go out of her sight, without her becoming very vocal. I have spoken to a breeder in my area as well as other bird owners and exotic vets about this and they have suggested that I get another parrot to keep Tiki company when I cannot. I spend lots of time with Tiki and give her new/different toys everyday as well as lots of foraging opportunities. So, I was hoping that you all might be able to give me your opinions on this matter and I am also curious if anyone here has a conure and another type of bird housed in the same cage. If I do acquire another bird, I want to house it with Tiki because I do not really have room for another cage. Right now I am considering a caique or red bellied as a companion for Tiki. Thanks for any input you can provide!!!

I had the same issue with my sun Bubbles and got another sun Skittles to keep her company. The noise factor did not go away. In fact, it doubled. It is not so much as they start when I am not around, they seem to feed each other. So when one starts, the other follows. I live in an apartment and received complains from neighbours. Finally had to rehome them. The other thing is they prefer to each others company and became less friendly to me.

I'm sure others have successful experience. My advise is to just keep one bird and work on keeping her entertained when she's by herself. Try leaving the radio or TV on so there're human voices all the time. Also, there are lots of articles about how to ignore the screaming. Don't respond to her screams and only respond after she became quiet.

I admit, I'm always a bit cautious over getting another bird with the primary intention of keeping another company in a companion bird situation. It's just my opinion though!

I understand totally your issue with the screaming having a sunny myself. She is so integrated with all of the family, that she will sound out no matter who leaves the room - including the cat or dogs lol. We are indeed, her flock.

Having researched combatting this before her arrival, I devised a little plan.

I taught her "no shout" and as a result, she doesn't scream when anyone leaves the room. She beeps lol. Like a little smoke alarm going out of batteries....usually 3 times beep....beep...bbbeeeep! Silence.

In order to get her to this stage, I had to think of things from her point of view. In the wild she would go about with a flock. Flock members are not prone to leaving eachother when everyone is healthy. They eat together, play together, preen together and sleep together. When someone is out of sight, they call to learn the whereabouts of their family.

As we live and work in the same building and she is with us all day, I found it relatively easy to teach her this method. Especially as I am able to eat and play with her also.

I started by whispering to her when she was shouting. (Very nosy our sunnies so for the first few times you have their undivided attention!) I'd go to her cage and whisper "no shout". Then back off slowly. When I got too far and she called out again, I'd stop and say a bit louder "no shout". In the space of a few days I was able to go out of the room. I'd stand outside the room praising her and talking about not much and then I'd return to the room. Before she had a chance to shout I'd say "good no shout" and grin like a village idiot.

I decided to leave out treats purely because this isn't viable if you have to leave the room in a hurry as well as probably ending up with a fat bird lol.

Eventually, I was able to travel all over the house and all she'd do was beep because I made my second trigger phrase "be a minute".

Primarily, she needed to know that I would be back and teaching her in this manner, she was and is reassured that I will return lol.

My husband does this too and of course, we get the occasional blast when she's grumpy but it has quietened her down an awful lot.

It was very effective for us but I am sure there are many other methods you could try. The important thing is to find one so that your bird is reassured, you have both eardrums intact and the neighbours aren't weeping in the corner lol.

Good luck!

Thank you both very much for your replies. I certainly would not get another bird for the sole purpose of quieting down the first, I just want Tiki to be happy and sometimes I wonder if she would enjoy the company of another parrot. I would love to have another bird however it is not crucial for me. But if it would enrich Tiki's life then I would certainly consider getting another. And like etse20 said, I am afraid making the situation worse were the two not to get along or should the noise factor go up

I see what you're saying!

We're also going to adopt another bird in the future, leaning towards a TAG at the moment but going in with the belief they will not get on unless proved otherwise naturally if you understand?

It is up to the individual! There are many people on the forum with flocks of all varities. It depends on time, money, commitments.....

I envy them but with the rest of my bunch dogs/cat/rabbit I just wouldn't have the time or space for multiple cages!!!

With regards to Tiki getting lonely, when the weather is too cold for Cal to be in our shop with us, she has the cat and rabbit upstairs whom she considers flock. She chatters away to them and they also all have the television on. It is very rare she decides she misses us and calls lol! In saying that, she's a bit of a strange bird....she see's and hears wild birds and I have played videos of many birds to her....no interest!

Hi Von-

I do understand what you are saying. I also have dogs, cats, and rabbits! I have two 11 yo dogs, one cat and 2 bunnies. Tiki's cage is near both rabbit cages tho she pays them no attention. Since my living room is already full with 3 cages I definitely cannot have another cage in here full time. I think that is my biggest fear with getting another bird because if it does not get along with Tiki and I cannot house them together than I'll be stuck with another cage

I wish Tiki would pay more attention to my cat or the dogs but she just totally ignores them...lol.

ahhhhh I see!

Well, really....bumf goes that idea? Quarantine is very important you see and this needs to be done in seperate rooms with seperate cages, washing hands and changing clothes for a minimum of 30 days. It's crucial as any new bird, especially from a shop or a breeder carries a risk of disease which could then be transferred to Tiki. A lot of bird diseases are fatal and in the USA, there are many.

Not to mention all of the problems that occur with territory etc.....

Oh dear. Well I could certainly do the quarantine as I do have another cage, but my end goal would be for the two to be housed together in the same cage. Is territorialism a difficult problem to overcome? I understand this would be a transition that could take some time, which I am ok with, but if housing the two together will likely be impossible perhaps you are right...there goes that idea

It's not impossible as some members will tell you. But, it depends on the birds themselves and if there's no room for two cages permanantly, then it's perhaps not the best option.....

Well I will have to do some more thinking on the matter for sure, I will let you know what I end up doing. Thanks so much for all your help!

I don't know that I have been of much help because it is not something I have ever considered doing to be honest!!!

I'm sure that someone who has an actual birdy flock will chip in and help.

I see the wonderful Barb (Bogo1) has been looking at this thread and she has got birds who have "paired" naturally....I get confused with who is with who in her bunch so I will let her explain to you!

Oh good, I hope she has a chance to chip in.

I actually got rid of some furniture to make room for a second cage. I bet others have done this too.

yes Di, I will have to do this too!!!

That is actually a great idea, I could easily part with a chair or two