Interspecies friendships

We have a couple of birds:

1. Mutant Greencheeck (Pineapple) who's about 5 years old. Had previously been good friends with a Sun Conure for a couple of years until she sadly died. He is not really aggressive. But he does bite sometimes, but it's more of an annoying bite rather than "I'm going to hurt you" bite. He's personality is very active, almost hyper bird.

2. Senegal Parrot who's about 2/3 years old. Has never been friends with another bird (that I know of). He and my mutant don't get along. He is the aggressor in that case. He is not aggressive with humans, unless he is startled in which case it's like a switch flips on in his head and attacks immediately. But his personality is a very calm sweet bird.... Until he's startled lol.

We just got a double Yellow headed Amazon, he's 4 months old. Really sweet and docile. I wanted to try and have my GC befriend him. I kind of doubt it'll work with my Senegal. They currently all live in seperate cages alongside each other. My plan was for them to live as neighbors for 2 weeks, then slowly try and introduce my GC to the Amazon outside. Is there anything else I could try and do? Or maybe I'm doing it wrong? I just really want at least one of my birds to have another bird friend. And my GC has already been great friends with a Sun Conure who was alot bigger than he was, and they never fought once, and they lived in the same cage together for a number of years.

I will let those who live in interspecies homes handle whether there will be love or war.

Since you are adding an Amazon and a DYH Amazon at that, to your mix, you need to read up-on Amazons and quickly. Yes, they can be the worlds lovers. but if you do not learn their body language you can quickly get yourself a well deserved bite. Go to the Amazon Section and read the first Post: Amazon Body Language. Take the time to investigate the Amazon Forum to get a feeling of the joys and bites of Amazon ownership. I have rehomed only Amazons for over 40 years and I continue to learn from them. Having said that, I do not recommend a DIY approach. The Amazon Forum here is filled with a wealth of knowledge, so partake.

The difference in beak size from a sun conure to an amazon parrot is quite substantial. Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable unless I knew for sure that the two were essentially in love with one another.

But if you're exceptionally keen on them being friends, introduce them slowly like you plan, and see how they react without either of them being in beak's reach of the other after that two weeks is up. If they seem apprehensive, don't force it. If they seem interested, move slowly.

We tend to want our birds to have friends or certain experiences more than they may, and forcing it can be fatal. So just be careful and don't be surprised if they don't bond with each other.

Friends in the same room are really all my birds seem to need. Their cages are all close by. They have conversations with each other.
But I am their constant.
I don't allow my green cheek and amazon to get close enough just in case she would lunge at him. The damage would be substantial.

My Moluccan is loved by the 4 Goffins in the same room. Big Bird is never caged, though he cage-hops the interior of others to supplement the same array provided for him on top of 2 cages. He spends hours sharing grooming sessions with the others. ET the TAG is also in the room, but he has nothing to do with the others.

Congrats on your new baby Amazon!! How exciting!!

My 16 year old hen YN Amazon gets along with anybody that's the same size and less. She used to get along with my cockatiel, my pair of RS Eclectus and a White Bellied Caique (the Caique was the aggressor).

She also gets along with my 3 year old male Magna DYHA. Now Sam (the Magna) has been with me since he was just shy of 7 weeks, so they were introduced to each other when he was just a wee one.

I won't say 'don't try it', just be ever so careful, because even though your DYH is still a baby, he could potentially deliver quite the bite to your GCC.

My BFA used to loooooooove my GCC, he would always sit on the bottom of the cage and stare directly at her, as well as regurgitate for her. He didn't listen to me when I told him to watch out, and would climb on top of her cage and she'd bite his feet!

She would mostly stay away when I had them out together but oh my Sydney, he never learned she wasn't interested and would try to get up close. Her little beak sure didn't phase him though!

Thanks for replies. So an update....

They don't hate each other! Tina the Amazon is completely unfazed at Noodles (the GC) being within inches of her and same as Noodles. They also seem to be cautious of approaching one another but there is no fear of a threat that I can sense from them. I'm doing this really really slowly as I want this to work.

We've had an Amazon before but I never really bonded with him so I know what to expect from them sort of. Unfortunately my Senegal I don't think I will ever give him a chance to try to befriend Tina. I just don't trust him enough not to get all defensive. But this might work with my GC.

Side note: Do all Amazons have that funny smell especially near their face? Our last Amazon also had the exact same smell that this one does. Both my GC and Senegal and in the past my Sun Conure never had a smell. Only my GC sometimes will smell a hint of soap after I take a shower as he loves to go inside my shirt all the time.

MXG said:

Side note: Do all Amazons have that funny smell especially near their face? Our last Amazon also had the exact same smell that this one does. Both my GC and Senegal and in the past my Sun Conure never had a smell. Only my GC sometimes will smell a hint of soap after I take a shower as he loves to go inside my shirt all the time.

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Yes, they do! I call it heavenly scent! Both of mine will happily emit this scent when they are content. If they were able to 'bottle' this particular scent - I'd apply it liberally. I love it!!