2nd conure assistance

[Alehner529]

Hi everyone! I have been thinking about getting a second conure for a while. I haven't found the right one yet. I have a 4yo sun, mango. I adopted her from someone who told me she was a she, but she isn't leg banded and I never dna tested her because for the most part I really don't care. But during her hormonal swings, she tries to....not humping exactly, but she will try to rub her butt on stuff and pump her tail. Does this sound like a female behavior? I always discourage it. And like a said I don't really care if mango is a she or a he, but if I get a second bird it might be pertinent.

Second thing.....would you recommend looking for a same sex second bird, or one of the opposite sex? Not looking to breed, ill probably end up with a green cheek or something similar.

Thanks for your help!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Scott]

Not familiar with conure behavior, but the described behavior is definitely sexual in nature. I'd defer to knowledgeable members to sleuth the sex. If interested, feather DNA tests are affordable and accurate.

If you are deeply bonded to Mango, carefully consider the reasons for adding another bird. Impossible to determine in advance whether multiple parrots will get along, merely tolerate, or closely bond (regardless of sex) leaving you as outsider. You might strike the jackpot and have two wonderfully socialized parrots, equally committed to you. With multiple birds, one must always consider the possibility of enjoying them separately.

 

[Jen5200]

I would always recommend a DNA test to be sure - I’ve been wrong more than I’ve been right guessing my birds gender....sigh. I would have sworn Mr Tee and Tango were both boys, and their DNA came back female lol. I’ve had Tee a year now and put off getting the DNA done due to COVID-19 and the travel needed (my vet is a couple hours away). Well he laid an egg and the next one took too long so we went to the vet anyway. Now I’m sure Tee’s a she .

For getting along - in my crew it is a bit of a cr*pshoot. Baby and Tango live together and are totally bonded - 2 girls. Tee gets along with them (kind of) - another girl. Bindi and Screamer tolerate the others and can be out at the same time without fighting or picking on anyone - 2 more girls. Stanley likes to pick fights with everyone and has to have solo time out of cage - he’s a boy. I’m sure that it’s completely individual whether or not they get along, and I know many others have birds that socialize better than mine do.

 

[noodles123]

You do not want an opposite sex bird, unless you want to potentially risk breeding, egg-binding etc. A single bird (sexually stimulated by human touch, dark spaces or a fellow bird's proximity) can still get egg-bound, but the whole breeding thing can get super complicated when the eggs are potentially viable.

What is your reason for wanting a second?

If it is for your bird, that is not the best reason, as they may not get along (or get along TOO well--even if the same gender) and then you can end up with a real behavioral mess.

Make sure you have the time to allow each bird separate out-of-cage time for at least a few hours daily (without the other) in the event that they do not get along, or try to mate....which, again, should be avoided (even just the proximity of an opposite sex bird can cause issues, but that is no promise of companionship either).

On top of that, in certain birds, females are prone to fighting etc, so you really need to know what you have.

If you go through with it, also remember that any new bird will need to be quarantined in a totally separate room (air-space, ideally) for 45 days. Vet visits and testing for both birds (on separate occasions, as they cannot be in the same car).

Seemingly healthy birds can spread deadly viruses that are highly contagious...They can shed these for a lifetime without ever getting sick. The birds they infect can get sick within a week, to as many as 10 years...if ever. The point is, they are most likely to shed this stuff in periods of transition and stress (like a new move etc). Either way, both need to be tested, but bringing two birds together w/o quarantine (careful hand-washing, even changing of clothes) is an accident waiting to happen, given the high occurrence of ABV/PDD in captive birds in the US (among others)

 

[Alehner529]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I wouldn't get a 2nd bird unless it was something I was excited about for myself. There are a few types of conures I am interested in that I would likely jump at if I found the right one. So it sounds like a male or female would be okay, knowing thay they may or may not get along. Of course I would qt the new bird, and never leave them alone unsupervised.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[noodles123]

The breeding thing is a huge issue though-- 2 different types of conures can likely still mate, depending on the type.

For instance, a cockatoo and cockatiel can procreate.

I'm obsessed with your glasses, btw! Very cool!

 

[Alehner529]

Thanks! So it sounds like a same sex bird would be a better choice perhaps.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk