1 Cockatiel+2 Lovebirds+1 Indian Ringneck

[Robie]

This is my first thread here,I just registerd cause I need some advise that couldn't find at anyone else's post. So here I go...

I have a Cockatiel for about 5 months, not having a great relationship with each other, not that she (I think its a female) is scared of me. I just think she doesn't like me. She has killed ,in the first couple of days, her fellow cockatiel (an albino one and probalby male) and since then I am a bit typical with her not that I don't treat her right, I am just not over enthusiastic about it. Not as I am with my new ones..

YES 5 days ago I got myself 3 more parrots, don't know why... I was going for a lovebird,got one, and the other day saw a green Indian Ringnet for only 80 euros and bought him (its a male,6 months old) as well as another lovebird (they are so cute).

Went home, put them all three of them together with the cockatiel I already had ( the cage is big enough for the 4 of them). I was afraid of a masacre and had an eye for them for a couple of days but they all seem to be getting along fine. Well to define fine, the 3 new ones all hang out together and the cockatiel is on her own... (maybe her attitude towards me has changed a bit in a possitive way to my surprise).

I am sorry for the length of my post but I needed to talk to a parrot owner to reassure myself that am (or not) on the right track...

So everythings works fine so far, exept for the Indian Ringneck. He seems to like his new surrounding and the 2 lovebirds playing with him. But he never makes any sound... I mean everyone else does... I dont expect him to talk so soon or ever, but I have him about 5 days and I've only heard his voice( someking of a scream) only a couple of times(th first when the petshop owner grabed him from his cage among the other 20 parrots or so...) for just a couple of seconds... The other parrots are singing from 7 o'clock morning till around 8 at night. I mean the lovebirds didn't seem to have a problem relaxing enough so as to sing...(the also fear me of course).

My (first) question :21: is this ,now that I 've explained the situation to all of you that had the courage to keep reading

Is it a good idea to put the Ringneck in a cage alone (near or far from the other 3) ???? Cause he is the one I would like to "bond" with if he lets me since he is the smartest of them and able to talk (from what I read and watch d in the web)...

Looking forward to reading your answers, if any....

 

[parrotqueen]

First of all, welcome to the forums! Have a look around, lots to learn.

That's a good question, I'm not exactly sure. I have not had the pleasure of owning a ringneck, but I have done a boatload of research on them.

They are great aviary birds, so that means they do well with the company of other birds. The only thing that you must make sure of, is that he does not have to compete with the other birds for attention. Ringnecks generally don't do well with competition, they prefer being the only pet. If you wish to keep them together, just make sure that they have plenty of room and that he gets plenty of love.

I hope this was of use to you, I wish you all the best.

 

[HRH Di]

Welcome to the board. I don't have a Ringneck, but I have an Alexandrine which is similar.

We got him from someone who had him in a cage with his older brother (same parents different clutch) so when we decided that my husband "needed" a macaw, we had pretty high hopes that they could share a cage so we got a HUGE one before we brought the RFM home. Well, Max had other ideas about sharing his space. So, he's still in his original cage and Jade has a ginormous one all to herself.

He really doesn't like Jade, even after she made some freindly advances toward him. He's not hostile, but he really doesn't want her close to him. Now she just teases him since she can fly and he can't...yet.

He's very bonded with me and with my 21 year old son, but still doesn't like to be petted or touched. He'll sit on our shoulder for hours just to be with us, but that's as far as it goes with cuddling.

All of that said, every bird is different, so yours may react differently. But I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't want to share his space with the other birds.

 

[Robie]

Thanks for your patience to my loooooong post. Maybe its to early to start making conclusions. Does your Alexandrine make any sound? Cause my Ringneck is mute all the time.

 

[Ratzy]

OK, here is my opinion. Lovebirds do not go with cockatiels! Or budgies. When they are younger they seem to get along really well and all of a sudden you have a legless cocktiel. Second, how big is the cage? I have not heard of a cage that could accomendate a ringneck, 2 lovebirds and a cokatiel with out some major injuries and enough flying space for all of them. They have different dietry needs, how are you going to make sure that they eat their own food? Love birds can quite often kill each other if they are introduced in the wrong way. Have you QUARANTINED!? As in keeping them seperate for at least 30 days to make sure they are not carrying illnesses? No? Well be prepared for some sick birds later on. Not saying they will be sick and/or carrying illnesses but please be prepared. I know this may sound harsh but really, it will help you. This is just my opinion.

 

[Robie]

Well it sounde a bit harsh but I am not her for the sweet talk... I know I should have put them in quarantine when I first brought them... Than was a mistake I admit it. As far as the relationship between the 4 of, at least for now, it can be described as excellent! The cage is about 1 metre height and 40 cm width and lenght. They seem to be alright in it...

Their diet that you mentioned had never crossed my mind. The seem to eat the same things and the same said the petshop owner when I went to buy them food. PLus I bought yesterday all sorts of fruits to try their likes...

 

[Ratzy]

The cage doesn't sound big enough to me. In the past I have paid the price with pet shop birds and no quarantine... not one lasted a month. My cage is twice as big as yours and 6 budgies are comfortable, though if there was any more there would be fights. If a cockatiel is housed with a lovebird, there should be a heap of space so it can escape it. As there are two.... They may be sweet now together but in a few months you will have injured birds. It is my opinion that they should be housed seperately. That is not enough space for them all in the one cage. Please seperate them and quarantine! It is really your birds best interest.

 

[Robie]

I see..... Thanks again for your quick response...

Well I don't see I have any other choice but to separate them...
The other thing I am concerned is my mute Ringneck. He doesnt make a single sound....
He just seats still and eats when hungry... Any clue for the reason of such a behaviour???

 

[Ecclipse]

Do you know the history of your ringneck? Was he doing the same when you looked at him at the petshop? If you read my threads about how sick my parrot has been it will shock the daylights out of you. I have spent hundreds on anitbiotics, nebulising and the extra bells and whistles and still Hugo is not a hundred percent. You are making the right choice by seperating them -did they all come from the same petshop? Ratzy is right. I said earlier that it takes time for them to settle, every parrot has their own charactor and adapt differently. Take the birds to the vet for a check up - he would be able to pick up if there was any symptoms of disease. They should go every 6 months. I respect for you admitting you made a mistake - I have made tons of mistakes. We are all here to support you and there are really clued up bird owners on this forum. Take it slow and steady, you going to have a handful with your feathered family. Lovebirds also need lots attention as well as cocketiels. I dont know much about a ringneck's charactor but the internet has lots of info. I, personally, after the cocketiel had killed its mate, would keep the tiel alone, the two lovebirds together - do you know their sexes? If not you might want to check because they can get agressive when maturing and then put the ringneck by itself. Parrots are like children in the sense that they need to be stimulated - the more you handle the ringneck the more he is going to respond to you. Its like being in a room full of strangers, start bonding by giving the ringneck time with you, scratch him, let him sit on your shoulder, feed him titbits from hand etc. There are many threads on this forum that help with taming and training. How long do you spend bonding with each bird?

 

[Mel]

Hi Robie

Welcome to the Forum. Good on you for looking for advise... this is a great place to learn!! I think I'm the pessimist in the group and am probably a bit too over-cautious (I think it's from working as a vet nurse for 10 1/2yrs) but if you have any concerns that any of your birds are not behaving normally get them to a vet to rule out illness as being the reason for the silence. Birds are masters at hiding illness.

If you have an avian vet in your area you're best to go there instead of a regular vet as they often have a deeper understanding of nutrition and behaviour than most other vets.

Good Luck

 

[Ratzy]

Thank you for listening to me and seperating them. I know I have been a bit harsh and I apoligise, but at least it made your eyes open. By the way, we have indian ringnecks in a local aviary, and they are housed seperately to any other bird. I have never heard them make a sound except for one talking.

 

[Robie]

Ohhh!!! Many responses!! Thats GREAT for me...

To answer Ecclipse's questions, I don't know for sure anything for my birds. They are supposed to be only some months old according to the petshop owner, the Ringneck is male. All the other are of unknown sex. Only one oof the lovebirds has a ring. What is supposed to be written on it and in what form cause I tried talking a look at it with the help of a towel to keep the bird tight but couldn't make out the writings.

The Ringneck was behaving pretty much the same at the petshop, but I thought it had to do with the fact that he was with another Ringneck and 10-15 cockatiels together in the same cage... Guess that wasn't it...

Unfortunatelly, there aren't lots of info specifically given for Ringneck,nor articles or books. I just order from ebay the "Parrots for Dummies". There were good reviews for it. Hope it helps...

I hang out with my birds around 2 to 6 hours per day... I am not talking to them for 6 hours ofcourse, people would take me for crazy but I watch tv, play the piano etc....

The all the birds are bought from different shops. The thing is though that the Ringneck and the 2 lovebirds all hang together especially at night when sleeping and the cockatiel, that was already there is always on his own...

Maybe I should get them to see a vet.. It will be a bit difficult to curry them there but since its a MUST DO, I have no ither choice. I regret buying them form the petshop,now that I've done my research through the inernet. I should have kept the money and buy only one parrot but handfed. I really don't know how mine were treated and raised but by the fact that they all are scared of my hand, although its to early to tell, I think the conditions weren't that great.

Mel, you say birds are masters at hiding their illness.. Why is that..?? I not a bird expert but always had dogs form when I was young and now I've learned about cats also since I 've been having one for about four years.. You mean Its not that easy to see that there is something wrong with a bird? Wouldn't its illness make it fell uncomfortable so as to show some signs?

And Ratzy you are saying that you've never heard your Ringneck make a sound too? But youtube is full with talking Ringneck and some have quite a large vocabularry...

I don't know... I ve been reading that Ringnecks are supposed to be EXTRA smart but I had a mouse once that seemed more inteligent... Just kidding.. Its too early for any coclusion... I mean the cockatiel is with me for about 5 months and she anly started singing after she killed her mate... that was 4 months ago..

Anyway... stay with me guys... all the way..!!! There aren't many forums specifically about parrots... And to tell you the truth, I feel there is noone I can ask for advice in Greece. I mean its not like your average pet or something...

 

[Ratzy]

No, I don't have a ringneck, I was talking about the ones at the local aviary. Birds hide their illnesses because in the wild they are prey animals and if they showed the symptoms they would be eaten. So they are masters at hiding symptoms, which makes it very hard to treat and cure when they do show it, because then they are close to death. Hope that makes sense. Have you seperated yet?

 

[Mel]

Don't beat yourself up for not knowing. You are looking at fixing any problems and that's great. There are no mistakes if you learn from them... just lessons.

 

[Robie]

Today I sepperated them. Unfortunately, I on;y had 2 cages so the Ringneck is still with the cockatiel. Only the 2 lovebirds are apart from the others.

I also found out that my Ringneck's bite is not that strong, or at least he doen't mean to do me harm. I had him in a towel so as to find the opportunity to touch hime a little to see I am not gonna hurt him, and although I was pretty frightend with his big beak , it turned out smooth... He is still afraid of me ofcourse but a litte less I believe...

 

[Ecclipse]

Hey Robie, you doing great!!!! Please dont beat yourself up on not knowing, your determined, patient and you love your birds - your posts speak for themselves! Sorry you cant get anything on your ringneck on the internet, I would of thought there would be loads of info. Your spending a good amount of time with your birds which is the way forward. I have made some EPIC mistakes but this forum is wonderful and I would not have been able to get through these last months without their support. Am so glad that the ringneck is showing signs of not being vicious. My parrot did not show any signs of talking, playing or showing he was happy for 3 months - give it time. Once you have been to the vet you will feel alot better and can then rule out any sickness etc. Involve the ringneck in chores your doing around the house, watching TV etc. The more time the better. I also found that when I got Hugo into a routine he settled better. He knew when I would wake up, when I would feed him etc. He thrives on routine and now his only guessing game is which toy to play with! Keep us posted, this is going to be the best adventure you ever experienced! Welcome to the forum!!!!

 

[Ratzy]

Try and get another cage for your ringneck. I did some research for you and someone had to sell her ringneck because it kept trying to kill her cockatiels.

 

[Robie]

Ratzy, thats what I am planning to do today.. Find a THIRD cage for my cockatiel...

Ecclipse, unfortunatelly I am not a man of routine so the birds probalby won't have a fixed daily schedule.

One question that came in my mnd last night. Is it unhealthy for me t sleep in the same room with the bird? Cause I moved the Ringneck cage in my bedroom yesterday.

By the way, is it good to leave the birds outdoors when I am not home? During daytime that is..
I mean they sure prefer it cause the sing more than being inside but wouldn't that reinforce their 'birdish' behaviour...

Looking forward to hearing form you all...

 

[Robie]

Oh I forgot to tell you that today came my clicker. I am looking now for articles and books on clicker training... I 've been hearing good things about it and that's why I ordered it. Hope that will offer some help with my Ringnecks training....

 

[Mel]

if you go the the home page of this site and click on parrot information there's a thread with links to clicker training. I'm like you I don't have a routine as such because every day is different. My weekday mornings before work are the only part of my day/week that is regular.
My Galah loved being outside during the day but his cage was VERY secure and we have dogs so no other birds would come near his cage - they can sometimes carry and pass on diseases.