Do birds benefit from the presence of other birds?

[Superbird]

I have a 4 year old conure who's always been a solo bird. I've always been guilty of leaving him at home while I go off to work (7:30am to 6pm). I leave the tv or radio on for him. He's by a cm second story window and occasionally sees people waking by. He gets 3-4 hours of one on one time on weekdays, all day on weekends.

He seems well adjusted but lately has been over-bonded to me. This comes as no surprise since I'm the only person he interacts with. My friend said leaving him alone all day with no other creature in the house is not conducive to his mental well being. I see that logic in this.

My question is, would it help to get another bird or birds, housed in a different cage? Maybe a pair of budgies or 3? I intend to care and prove for them equally. The cage will be just as large as my conure's (30x30). Will him hearing/seeing other birds be healthy for him?

 

[Birdman666]

Depends on the bird.

Conures are pair bond birds. Sometimes pair bond birds that have bonded with a person, become jealous and resent an intruder in their nest... taking away their attention... from their person...

Sometimes, they become friends and playmates. In fact, sometimes they become inseparable.

Sometimes it's more, mmmaahh... another bird. If you stay away from my stuff I'll ignore you and we won't have to squabble. Don't start none, won't be none.

Momma always said "Birds are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get!" And that's all I got to say on that...

 

[Agapornis]

lol, very true Birdman. I went thru a similar issue when I got Fiji, my first GCC. She was our only bird for almost a year. I always felt guilty leaving her while I was at work. She was VERY bonded to us. Then we got Sundance, and while she is still more bonded to us than he is, she immediately turned more "bird" than human and wouldnt let me give her scritches, since HE did that for her. So she isnt AS CLOSE to us as she was before, but at least I know she isnt lonely anymore when we're gone. I would only have a single bird if I were home all the time.

 

[thekarens]

And then there's birds like mine. My sennies are siblings, but hate each other and as far as Zoe is concerned there are no other birds or pets for that matter in the house. It's all about her. On the flip side I'd argue that it's cruel to keep just one linnie. They need a buddy.

 

[Superbird]

Thanks for responding. My conure is alone by himself from 7:30am to 6pm. No other person humans, just him. I play bird noises and classical music or radio, but I wonder if that's enough. In my case, I thought having another cage in the living room, with a couple of parakeets might help him not feel so alone. Do you think its mentally beneficial for my bird to have this presence?

PS. I intend to care for the parakeets equally

 

[riddick07]

If he seems happy I don't see why you should get another one unless you would like to have another cage. If you want another cage go for it but your conure might not care for them or the noise. It's one of those we can't predict his reaction since he is an individual and will respond in his own unpredictable way.

My guys do seem to talk to each other but I'm not sure some of them like having the others around necessarily. I'm fairly sure Folger tells them to shut up sometimes...though its more of a growlish sound but the tone is there! My sun conure isn't really fond of the other birds and Kelly my amazon pretends they don't exist. My gccs stay together and my cockatiels stay together....they don't really pay attention to the other birds unless my gccs are bullying someone.

 

[SoCalWendy]

All while Rio (senegal) and Kiwi (parrotlet) absolutely hated each other (for two solid years), they did mimic each others sounds and often they copy each others body language at the same time. When Rio was re-homed, and my home got quiet, too quiet even, I think Kiwi actually got depressed. She got really quiet, and wasn't her animated self for a few weeks. I think she is still not completely adjusted but she is starting to come around. While I do believe they enjoy the presence of another bird/s, it really depends on your circumstances. You also have to think about the time you have now devoted to your one bird will then be less because you will have another to also think about its needs as well. Unless your bird is experiencing some kind of stress, then why try and fix something that doesn't need fixing. We are home a lot. And when we leave Kiwi (now alone) greets us with great enthusiasm. And we shower her with love.

 

[Superbird]

Thanks again for the replies. A big reason why I wanted to get parakeets was so my conure doesn't feel so isolated in an empty living room while I'm away. I think it would also be good for him to see another living creature besides me (and the rare passersby below my apartment.

From SocalWendy's response, it would seem like while her birds hated each other, they acknowledged each other's presence. I think that in itself is beneficial in combating the feeling of isolation an only bird might feel when the owner is away to work for 10 hours. I just worry about his mental and emotional well being in the times I am working.