Need Advice and Opinions

I've posted regarding adding a second bird a couple times now, but the time has (possibly) come.

I just want to give a little background on mine and Tiki's living situation and would love to get some feedback regarding whether or not adding a second bird is a good idea for us.

I have plans to go and meet a sun conure tomorrow that is for adoption. According the owner, he is 6 years old and very tame, also a single bird. I prefer adoption over contributing to supply/demand by purchasing from a breeder, when I know there are many unwanted birds out there looking for a home. Not that I have anything at all against anyone who purchases from breeders, I think it's fine, just not for me.

Now, I know about quarantine and not being able to house them in the same cage.

Currently, Tiki is my only bird. She is in a very large cage (the largest I could find with the correct bar spacing). She has many perches and toys. She is just beginning to learn how to "play" with toys with extensive "teaching" on my part. She has her own bedroom, as we also have 6 cats. (Two of which couldn't care less and pretend she doesn't exist, four of which would LOVE to have her for dinner.. and not as a guest) When we (my husband and I) spend time with Tiki, it is usually in her room, unless the cats are locked away (in the basement level, where we keep them when we're not home... little destroyers of all things nice).

I work twelve hour days three days a week and am off four days a week (usually, unless I pick up a shift at my second job). On those days, Tiki only gets a half hour of time in the morning and a half hour of time at night. The other four days, she gets TONS of time.

Here are my thoughts:

1. I HATE that she is alone... for any amount of time. I even hate turning her bedroom light out at night when I put her to bed knowing she has to go to sleep by herself. They are flock creatures and should be part of a flock at all times. I honestly get so upset when I am not home, knowing she's alone.

2. She is the cuddliest, loveablest, snuggliest snuggle bug in the world. She wants to be scritched 24/7 and be scooped up in your hands and nuzzle into your face at all times. I love it. And I feel selfish because I'm afraid a second bird might take that away. And that's wrong because I need to put her best interest above mine.

3. I worry one day I might eventually have human children that take up a lot of my time. I would like Tiki to already have a friend by that point, because I will NOT rehome her... unless I feel that I am failing her.

4. I understand that a second bird could cause jealousy, and I've spoken to my vet about ways to avoid/ease that... such as making sure she is first out of her cage, and the last to go back in it.

5. My father told me "You can't miss what you never had"... meaning... Tiki has always been an only bird. She's never been part of a flock. I agree with that, to an extent, but then I can't help but feel like it is an instinctual thing for a bird to know it belongs with others. She is her happiest when there are people around to "talk to".

6. I realize that even if there is a second bird in the room, in a separate cage, for her to "talk to" when I'm not with them, they won't be able to physically reach each other, and that might be frustrating or depressing to them.

I've made pro-con lists and I'm just so torn. Can anyone please help me? Tell me what the right thing to do is.

I'm sorry this is such a long post and I truly appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this and offer me their advice or opinion or personal experience. Sometimes I wish I didn't care so much, and overanalyze... just be one of those people that stumbles across a "pretty" bird in a pet store and take it home without a second thought. But that's not me.

I don't know how I've fallen so in love with a creature that I make myself sick trying to do what is the absolute best thing I could do.

Thank you to anyone who can offer some help!

I'm sorry you're struggling with this decision, I think a lot of us are guilty of over analyzing our pets' health and happiness at times. From my point of view, after reading your post, it sounds like Tiki has a happy, loving home and a very caring guardian.

Your father made a good point, parrots have a way of adapting to our lifestyles and schedules, and an amazing ability to cope with change.

Is Tiki showing signs of stress or behaving differently? I understand you're concerned about the long hours of alone time, but as you said, Tiki has lots of time with you on your days off. Do you leave music or a TV on for her when you are away?

A new bird to keep Tiki company could work out beautifully, but it could also cause a new set of problems. There's just no way to predict how two birds will react to each other. Strong bonds can be formed between the most unlikely species, or parrots can dislike each other at first glance and never get along. You obviously already have a strong bond with Tiki, I doubt that would change even if Tiki forms a close bond to the new bird.

I think your heart is in the right place and I believe you can make it work, with or without a new friend for Tiki. I wish you the best. Please let us know what you decide.

Hi Lauren,

It's a tough decision based on what you described. But I don't think another bird would alter Tiki's pattern. When you go see this other conure, take tiki with you in a travel cage. Note the reaction between the two.

Every now and then I take my birds to Avian store, they pick out their own toys ( you'll get a feel of the ones that they are drawn to.) and they talk and get interested in certain birds. My zon Poppie was all google eyes over this Yellow napped zon ( Poppie is a Blue fronted) My other Zon is a Blue fronted and these two you think now were raised together.

Both rescue birds....and yes birds can except others into the flock, not necessarily over nite, but they do in time.

Thank you both so much for your responses. I appreciate you taking the time to read my post and respond with support! I am on the way to meet the conure now. I'm really hoping I make the right decision. I wanted to bring Tiki but I'm very afraid of illnesses and I wouldn't want tiki to get sick. Plus it's a 3 hour round trip drive! I'll keep you updated!