Preventing Bonding

Merlee

Banned
Banned
Jul 25, 2012
853
1
USA
I have two birds so far, a macaw and a yellow nape amazon. I keep these two apart because of the differences in size. I would like to add one more amazon, but am wondering if I would be making a mistake because I know the potential of bonding.

If I add a male double yellow head, would I still have to worry about it bonding with my YN? If so, how can I prevent it from happening? Would keeping them on separate play stands and in different cages be enough?
 

weco

New member
Nov 24, 2010
3,342
12
USA
Parrots
Nanday, suns, parrotlet, Patagonian
You run the risk of bird bonding any time you add new birds to your flock, especially opposite sexes of the same or very similar species.....

Yes, separate cages would help, but not guarantee that any friendship would remain platonic.....

Good luck.....
 

henpecked

Active member
Dec 12, 2010
4,858
Media
3
18
NC/FLA
Parrots
Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
Having them bonded first to humans would help but like weco stated ,there's no guarantees.I would make sure any fid is very tightly bonded to people before adding additions. What happens to that new bird is the risk but you can do the things mentioned, that should help
 
OP
M

Merlee

Banned
Banned
Jul 25, 2012
853
1
USA
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Richard, you have a bunch of birds. How do you do it with Jake?
 

henpecked

Active member
Dec 12, 2010
4,858
Media
3
18
NC/FLA
Parrots
Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
She has always been very bonded to me. In fact i can't have her near the other birds. She can be very vicious to other birds( especially hen zons who show an interest in me). IMO birds that bond first to humans don't have issues with leaving their owner for another bird. Young birds who haven't bonded yet are more likely to bond with another bird. With rehomed birds your never sure of their past and their earliest years is what makes the difference.Even a neglected handraised bird will still tend to bond with a human. A parent raised bird if exposed to other birds might be more apt to pick another bird especially if no close human contact is offered. Of course i'm talking more about amazons and other New World parrots, I'm not the person to ask about other species. "Let the bird pick you" or "pick a bird you click with" applies to this situation, put as many things as you can in your favor. We are dealing with "wild" creatures so there's no guarantees.
 
Last edited:

Most Reactions

Top