Parrotlets????

Hi All! My very beloved 19-year-old lovebird, Orville, is likely nearing the end of his good, long life, and I'm trying to look forward (and therefore find some hope and consolation). No one can ever replace Orv, but I cannot be without a little bird and have been thinking of parrotlets.

For those of you with parrotlet experience/input - what do you think of them? Should I get one or two? Sugarcreek bird farm in OH has 2 blue females (babies/young) available now. I was thinking that if they were raised and caged together, they would have more fun while home alone all day (I work full time). They will get out of the cage as soon as I'm home.

What is the best bar spacing for them? Do you have any cages you would recommend (posting links would be awesome!)?

I think that's all of my questions for now! I'm anxious to hear about these little cuties.

Saw my first newborn parrotlets a week or so ago. The local pet store owner was two clutches of newborns, and a few juveniles. Very cute. He has Quakers as well. I'm thinking of getting a pair of one or the other, I think the wife might not be so intimidated by the smaller birds.

OK, I just read this on Parrotlet Basics

"A single parrotlet makes the best pet and avoids problems such as jealousy and aggression. Many people feel because they are at work or school all day their parrotlet may become 'lonely' and would appreciate another parrotlet companion. Unfortunately, "share" is not a word generally known in the parrotlet vocabulary so keeping two together usually results in fighting and problems between them especially if a new one is introduced after the first one has established its territory. They often become jealous and combative with the new parrotlet or utterly ignore it. It often results in the owner having to house them separately.
This is not to say it is not possible to keep more than one parrotlet (I coined the phrase "Parrotlets are like potato chips, one is never enough.") but only if the owner wants another parrotlet not because they think their parrotlet wants another parrotlet. There is better success of the two parrotlets enjoying each other if they are both obtained at the same time and played with by the owner one on one daily. Unlike budgies, they will not bond with each other. Also, get two parrotlets of the same sex. Either two males or two females can co-habitat but avoid male/female as there is a possibility of breeding. Of course, if kept in separate cages, this should not be a problem."

So I'm back to thinking one might be best even though these are both female and would be obtained at the same time...Hmmm...

I have one female and I would go with just one. They are so much like the big birds, just packed in tiny bodies.

That's good to know, Shelly! Have you done any training with her? How does she get along with your bigger birds?

I have a female, she is a big ol' bird in a very tiny body. LOL

They like to chatter, females tend to be quieter than the males. They can be very territorial, and will defend their territorial with passion. When something upsets them, you will definitely know about it. Mine stomps around like a dinosaur. Hackles up, very verbally, like she is cussing you out.

Personally, I think it's better to have a single bird, so they bond with you. If you socialize them properly with everyone in the household they are very very sweet. Can be nippy when they are going through their hormonal stages and molts. But its not personal. Kiwi is very nippy right now, she 5 months and starting to molt. When they so bite those small beaks hurt, they like to hold on.

Our lil kiwi is adorable, and a great lil bird.

Well that sounds pretty adorable and I like a strong personality! It does sound like a single bird is the way to go.

Mine is not let out with the big boys, I am afraid she would hurt them!
As for training we are working on that. She was not tame when I got her and we have just been working on getting her to play with her toys not just hide in them. I have been having a issue finding something she will take as a treat..

ShellyBorg said:

Mine is not let out with the big boys, I am afraid she would hurt them!
As for training we are working on that. She was not tame when I got her and we have just been working on getting her to play with her toys not just hide in them. I have been having a issue finding something she will take as a treat..

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Hahaha this made me laugh out loud. My Kiwi 'tries' to take on my Sennie, my dog, and my husband, lol. They are fearless lil birds, but in the wild they have to be. Take a look at my signature picture.

jbail1026 said:

Well that sounds pretty adorable and I like a strong personality! It does sound like a single bird is the way to go.

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You will love your P'let.

Make sure you get a hand feed/ Socialized bird. Many breeders are hand feeding but not spending quality time with there babies.

Mine tries so hard to join in with the evening flock cry. She will stand on her tiptoes yelling at the top of her voice, but even the ex roommates budgies where louder! LOL

Lovebirds and Parrolets are very very similar! Like your finding of that post, just get one as it's easier to keep them tamed. Good Luck!!!

I do LOVE your sig picture! Both beautiful birds and you can see the spunk!

jbail1026 said:

I do LOVE your sig picture! Both beautiful birds and you can see the spunk!

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Thank you, yes a lot of spunk... Here is a close up of my lil green velcro birdie.

Too cute! Do you keep her wings clipped? My lovebird has always been flighted and zooms around the house. Zoomed - he's blind now

jbail1026 said:

Too cute! Do you keep her wings clipped? My lovebird has always been flighted and zooms around the house. Zoomed - he's blind now

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She is in the process of molting, we are allowing her to be flighted.

Jbail, I go to Sugarcreek all the time! This is where I have gotten my birds from! I just saw the two little parrotlets that you are talking about yesterday. They are very cute! I would go with just one as well. They are very feisty little birds and many don't get along well after maturity. In fact I was there with my little baby gcc's yesterday showing them to Pete, Paula & Bernie when my friends son came in with his little parrotlet (he is always walking around with his green little buddy on his shoulder) We went into a room so my friend and her son could see my babies that are just fledging, well one landed on my friends son's shoulder, we all moved soooo fast to make sure that little parrotlet (which is much smaller than my gcc babies) didn't attack! I love their feisty little attitudes!!
Let me know when you are going there! It's a great place!!

Hi. If you were considering parrotlets who are already use to each other, I think that would be wise. Some owners are scared you may not get your own bond with the birds but I think that can be managed by the time you put in with each bird seperately. I'm trying to bring two parrotlets of different ages together and it has been a challenge. Either way, I would strongly recommend getting a parrotlet. They have a lot of character. Funny birds that are very affectionate and loyal.