I am still considering another bird. There have been a couple that I really wanted but hesitated and then they were gone. My two concerns that keep holding me back: 1. What if Buzz (CAG) doesn't get as much attention, although he doesn't really like me or value my attention all that much as he considers himself my sons bird. 2. What if the birds don't get along and fight or what if they do and bond and end up not liking my son. I know how much they are together will depend on their attitudes but I don't want Buzz to end up more nervous or plucking more or stressed. He's the priority but has never been around any other birds so I have no idea.

I'm curious how others took the leap from A bird to multiple. What do you wish you had known then? What do I need to know to make an informed decision?

Secondly, we are considering a pet room but I'm worried since it isn't the center of the house and activity it might not be a good idea. How does a bird room that isn't central work with normal interaction?

Thanks for anything you can share.

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It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds. -Aesop

Well for me, the dynamic has varied depending on what birds I've had. Not counting finches, I've had several different birds over the years which I do not have now. Some individuals and combinations of individuals were easier to deal with together than others. Just like with kids, or putting people together, you never know how the particular combination and dynamics of each group will be until you're there.

Robin my Red Bellied parrot I have had for over 21 years, and has never played well with others. He's always been separate. In the same room with others, but he doesn't have a parrot buddy, and typical of Poicephalus, he would rather attack other birds. In the past, other birds have stayed away from his cage, just out of lack of interest I believe. Now, Raven and ESPECIALLY Griffin are very curious about Robin, and I must open the cages in shifts for safety. Especially now that Raven and Griffin are flighted. First Raven and Griffin can come out, then Robin's cage opens after they go home. Robin is so easy going and doesn't care if he's first or not lol.

As far as the time given to each - Raven enjoys our company, ambient attention, and a little direct attention, but Griffin is his first love, and as long as he has Griffin nearby he's happy.

Griffin is semi-wild and likes ambient attention, every now and then (like once or maybe twice a month) will get on my shoulder for a few minutes. He is very active and loves to come out of his cage to be with Raven and play and eat with him in his bigger cage. BUT... his is the BIGGEST handful I've ever had, WAY more even than larger birds I've had. He is a Poicephalus, but he reminds me of a Conure with how active and curious he is. He is the one I need to watch so he doesn't start trouble. He was the one who lost 2 toenails before I had him and Robin out in shifts. He (it was confirmed later) was the one who tore into my favorite flip flops... He's trouble lol. Robin and Raven are trustworthy, and never get into trouble. Those two aren't as outgoing or curious as Griffin is.

Robin is my cuddler. Thank goodness I have one snuggly one! Even then, he is very independent, and if I have an extra busy day he isn't demanding about attention. The best bird ever. Go with the flow, super hands on cuddly yet very undemanding at the same time. I've never had a bird quite like him.

My two budgies enjoy a large double flight cage in a different part of the house. Mink my English, was handfed, but she's not bonded to me and doesn't ask for attention. Still, I handle her daily so that she'll stay tame.

Edit: You ask as far as being in a room which is not central in the home, that's the situation here for now. The parrots are in a bedroom, long extraneous story as to why, but I can tell you it's a pain.

I started with a GCC and moved on to parakeets, and then to my Sydney. Sydney has always been fairly laid back (until more recently when he's learned to fly and gotten a little jealous of my CAG Gonzo) and doesn't really bother with other birds, so it's never been much of an issue, though he did LOVE my conure and tried to feed her all the time, she would have attacked him if he got too close!

Now, Gonzo and Sydney socialize pretty well, but Gonzo's best friend growing up was another BFA like Sydney, so he's more used to another bird. They'll hang together on Sydney's cage but don't really interact much.

Sydney loves my attention, but he's pretty independent, and so is Gonzo. Gonzo is much less touchy-feely, but is happy to just be around someone, so I'm very lucky that they're easy to please! My cockatiel on the other hand, wants to be with you all the time, even though she doesn't much like being touched yet, she's happy to just sit on your shoulder (or on top of my head half the time!)

There is never any guarantee that your birds will ever get along. What you learn and figure out is how to create the best environment which will allow your birds to cohabitate together in the best way possible.

For us, we grouped together those birds that have demonstrated they can harmoniously be out together, and then rotate them. My BHC comes out alone first, simply because he's way to unpredictable to place him with any of our other birds. When he goes back, the 2 duskies come out together. Next my pineapple GCC and Pan Am have simultaneous out of cage time. Then my CAG, Ekki and Pan Am get their turns. I take out my Jardines when I'm having dinner, and last, but not least my Miligold gets to come out to play

If you decide to bring in another bird, you'll find out what works out best for you, your grey and new fid.

I have multiple birds and all share the same bird
room. All are free to do what they like. They never have their
cages shut. Only for a time out.

I introduced them slowly and gradually. All birds get that
"curiosity" stage when a new bird comes into the family.
I made a mistake of having My White parakeet and Grey to
close to one another one day. ( perch near Parakeet cage)
And Poor twinki lost a toe to my Grey.

However my Grey realized he did a bad thing and spent 2 days
sitting in the corner of his cage inside. I didn't put him there
either. But made it clear that he was naughty. Ever since,
he has not bothered twinki, and they do this wing " HI" thing to one another.

They eventually all get along. My BFA grooms my grey. they go back
and forth to each others cage. My ekkie will go and sit by my Grey.
My Zon and Ekkie get along ok.
My Senni Hates everyone, except my BFA.

Well...

It was kind of a progression for me.

For many years I just had the one conure that lived inside my shirt.

Then I started volunteering down at the bird rescue, and I ended up getting Sally, and rehabbed her, and there were two. I kept them in separate rooms, to avoid that whole big bird, little bird thing. Eventually they were socialized together, and didn't bother each other. And before you know it, we were a flock of 11. Some of which were fosters...

Then I lost six of them, either to being placed in other homes, or to accidental, or natural deaths. And we were down to five. (Now we're back up to six. I'm not looking to expand the flock.)

They can be trained to get along, and if they don't then you simply house them separately with separate playstands. You'll still have occasional squabbles, but you intercede, and the offending bird goes in time out. And that generally works.

The real deciding factor is time and proper attention. How much time are you willing/do you want to devote to it. Not just handling and training, but cleaning time. For me it's a twice a day basic clean up, with breakdown cleanings that usually take about 2-3 hours one day every weekend. THAT'S A LOT OF TIME.

It also depends on the species you get. A CAG or a Zon is A LOT more independent than say a macaw or a too. So, if you get a higher attention needs bird, you either have to have the skill to handle multiple birds at once, or... you REALLY are low on time. (Last night for example, I had Maggie on my lap. I had Sweepea on my shoulder, and I had Kiwi on my hand, with Lila and Tusk running around on the back of the couch... and that falls within my definition of "normal.") Sally got held when I first came home, and then wanted to be back on her playstand in the window.

Three of mine are velcro birds. Three of mine are very independent. I honestly couldn't handle one more velcro bird. It would disrupt the routine around here.

And also, how much can you afford food/cages/toys/playstands/vet care, etc... So honestly assess where you are at, and whether you are willing to take that much more on for perhaps the rest of your life...

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I don't know that I ever really thought about what type of bird my other birds would prefer to live with, I've just added ones that intrigued me and though would fit into our house/lifestyle/atmosphere. I HAVE fostered through our local bird rescue and that has given me some really good insight into what birds I can and cannot live with on a daily basis (or more importantly what my family can deal with for noise levels) without any long term commitment. Our rescue lets you foster for 3 months and make a decision if it's a bird you want to adopt/keep or if it isn't quite right for you. Other than that or just pet sitting for a friend's bird, I'm not sure how you'd know how the birds would react to another. Good luck with your decision.

And again, with some birds (primarily amazons and female Eckies), you get seasonal territorial behaviors, where the rest of the time they get along together just fine...

What you really have to watch out for are big/bird little bird issues. Little bird generally loses that one every single time...

What I did with mine was just house the little ones together on the other side of the room.

The macaws were next to each other. The amazons/CAG sized birds were next to each other.

Then the little birds.

Again, mine all got along for the most part. BUT... a large macaw, or a territorial amazon... or a CAG who decides to be a bully can injure or maim a little bird just messing with them...

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We kind of jumped in with both feet. Within a 4 month period, we got 2 Amazons, a Hawkhead, a Pionus, an Eclectus and a CBC. We have cats and dogs with a high prey drive so made a couple of bird rooms. We have since added all our other Fids to the bird rooms, and we spend several hours a day in the rooms with them. Some of our birds get along, others hate each other. I can leave my GCC and CBC out together with us not being in the room, but in our big bird room one of us has to be present as no one gets along except for our Alex and IRN.

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Since this is a good topic for many people considering more than one bird.... I'll jump in!


I'm curious how others took the leap from A bird to multiple.
I started with budgies. It was kind of along the lines of, if you have one budgie, it needs a friend!

My love of birds eventually led to "Oh? You have birds??? We have a bird(s) that we no longer want, would you take it?", so I ended up taking in several second hand plus birds. I even rehomed a few to homes I thought the birds may be better in. The majority of my birds are not tame and friendly, nor do I *need*, let alone *care* for every single bird to be tame and friendly. What matters to me is that they are happy, content and healthy. If they are interested in human contact (via watching me interacting with others), then I'll interact with them in a way that they can enjoy.

What do you wish you had known then?
I wish I had known more about everything! From diet, to health, even training! I was constantly reading and learning, but my knowledge then doesn't compare to my knowledge now! And I'm still learning!

What do I need to know to make an informed decision?
Do you have the space for another bird? Do you have the time for another bird? Do you have the expenses for another bird? Including veterinary costs? Can you handle a new birds calls? Can you handle the birds potential dust? And bites?

Secondly, we are considering a pet room but I'm worried since it isn't the center of the house and activity it might not be a good idea. How does a bird room that isn't central work with normal interaction?
This can vary from home to home. Some people have bird rooms but have gyms in the main living areas. Others, like myself, have bird rooms and will go into the bird rooms to interact with the birds, or remove a select number of birds to another room for more one on one physical interaction!

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The Earth is not flat and the Sun does not revolve around the Earth. Don't be afraid to question what you learn. In doing so, you may discover a greater truth. ~Mc