Question for parents of large and small birds

hannah7733

Member
Aug 20, 2019
42
4
Norwich, UK
Parrots
Budgies (Puff, Peewee, Pixel and Poochie), Cockatiels (Pippy, Poppy and Petra), Kakariki (Pikachu RIP)
I currently have budgies and cockatiels but have always wanted to eventually get a larger parrot (most likely some kind of cockatoo). I have seen many people on here who have a large parrot but also have small birds and I'd really like to know how you manage them? Do you have two seperate bird rooms? Is it ever safe to let the large and smaller birds out together? Etc

Would really appreciate any advice
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
We are a large Parrot household and have always been an Amazon only home.

The reality is that regardless of size, everyone should have their own cage. The larger the Parrot, the greater the damage they can inflict by a single bite. As a result, detailed supervision is required when large and small Parrots are out at the same time. Most people with avoid having everyone out at the same time.

It is also common that differences in diet exist.

Cockatoos are amazing Parrots that come with really large demands! Know what they require before you bring one home...
 
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Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Echoing every word of my good friend Sailboat above!

With proper planning and segregation as needed, it is possible to have varied sizes. There are anecdotal stories of dissimilar species happily co-existing. I suspect this is serendipitous and assisted by virtually unlimited resources. (food + water) I've had Goffiins, a Moluccan, Citron, and TAG live in dedicated bird-room with absolutely no strife. Still, a world of difference from a cockatoo with budgies, I suspect that'd be far more perilous without continuous strict oversight.
 

AmyMyBlueFront

Well-known member
Apr 14, 2015
6,315
Media
4
3,034
Connecticut
Parrots
Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(

And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
My home has always been a two parrot home. First and African Grey and added Amy the Blue Front. Both had seperate homes but lived in the living room. Smokey was about a year old and Amy four months old. Amy wanted to be friends but Smokey wouldn't have it,tormenting Amy any chance she got. When Smokey passed away at 28y.o. I adopted Jonesy a Goffin 'too. He and Amy became best buds but sadly I had to rehome Jonesy after a year or so. Now there is BB the cockatiel how Amy is infatuated with :rolleyes: Wants to be with BB constantly..sits on top of BB's house will BB is inside. Amy would NEVER harm BB..in fact Amy chases me,or runs after me if I try to interact with BB. I have to now put Amy in his house when BB is out or Amy will walk to find us ( Amy doesn't fly) BB doesn't care..at times he'll make kissy sounds or say HI to Amy. If he gets annoyed with Amy he just flies off to me.


Jim
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
I love cockatoos, but I would STRONGLY recommend a lot of experience with them through volunteering etc before taking that plunge (especially m2s and u2s). They are okay for the right people (but still very challenging in terms of the time/interaction/emotional ups and downs..and screaming). If you do adopt, don't back out...STRONGLY recommend getting an adult who has passed sexual maturity (due to their extremely long period before sexual maturity in which they act very different from their adult selves). They are super emotional...for better or worse.... They are re-homed at the highest rates compared to other parrots (especially m2s and u2s). They are very unique and very needy (even when compared to other large parrots). Very funny too- but a LOT of work for a very long time. Boundaries are super important, but they will melt your heart to try and get "snuggles" (which are bad for them). Head and neck only touching and extreme awareness of hormones is super important for larger toos.


Noodles has a room (not one that she is out in by herself for long) but because her cage takes up a lot of room and she needs a sleep space etc.
 
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