Adding a second bird to the flock?

[Lilibuggz]

Long story short a family friend got a cockatiel for their 11 year old and wanna rehome him because “he’s mean and hates everyone”. Their care isn’t too great in general, all seed diet, small cage, dowel perches etc. I’ve tried talking to them about proper bird care and bonding but they just don’t care or don't wanna put in the effort. Im really considering taking him in and working with him. The issue is I already have a love bird who obviously requires a lot of attention. I work from home so he’s out all day everyday with me. I’d have separate cages ofc but during the day it’d be ideal if they could hang outside their cages together. Obviously them getting along isn’t guaranteed and I’m worried about the possibility of them just hating each other. How would I manage giving both birds enough time and attention in this case? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I hope you rescue that unfortunate cockatiel! Of course, they may hate each other but they may also just ignore each other or get along fine. Without knowing specifically how your home is laid out it's hard to advise you on how to handle two birds. What does your lovebird do all day? Top of cage, your shoulder, somewhere else? Does this cockatiel fly (wings not trimmed)? Does your lovebird fly? What is the room you keep him in like? Do you work in this room? How do you and your lovebird interact?

 

[Lilibuggz]

I hope you rescue that unfortunate cockatiel! Of course, they may hate each other but they may also just ignore each other or get along fine. Without knowing specifically how your home is laid out it's hard to advise you on how to handle two birds. What does your lovebird do all day? Top of cage, your shoulder, somewhere else? Does this cockatiel fly (wings not trimmed)? Does your lovebird fly? What is the room you keep him in like? Do you work in this room? How do you and your lovebird interact?

If I were to get the cockatiel, they’d be kept in the same room, (where I work) I’d start with the cages across the room but may move them closer if they enjoy each others company. Peachy (my lovebird) is flighted, he usually sits on top of whatever I’m working on lol. He also likes sitting on my lap or curtain rod above my desk and watching me. Occasionally goes to the toys on top of his cage throughout the day. I have some puzzle/foraging toys I put on the desk when I need to really focus on work or just when he seems bored. I try to do 2 10-15 minutes training sessions with him everyday too. I believe the cockatiel is unclipped but they do not let it out of the cage so I’m not sure how well it can fly.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I hope you would get the cockatiel a bigger cage. Even if he's not clipped and hasn't been let out of his cage he will be able to fly well (cockatiels are strong fliers) but may panic fly at first since he's not used to it and bump into things. You may want to trim his wings slightly to slow him down so you can catch him when you need to.

I would think your Lovebird would probably ignore or pay little attention to the cockatiel. He sounds bonded to you.

After getting the tiel a bigger cage I would open his cage door and let him come out on his own for just a couple hours a day and keep an eye on him. Make sure windows are covered with curtains or blinds.

I hope you take him into your home. He has a pretty miserable life.

 

[Lilibuggz]

I hope you would get the cockatiel a bigger cage. Even if he's not clipped and hasn't been let out of his cage he will be able to fly well (cockatiels are strong fliers) but may panic fly at first since he's not used to it and bump into things. You may want to trim his wings slightly to slow him down so you can catch him when you need to.

I would think your Lovebird would probably ignore or pay little attention to the cockatiel. He sounds bonded to you.

After getting the tiel a bigger cage I would open his cage door and let him come out on his own for just a couple hours a day and keep an eye on him. Make sure windows are covered with curtains or blinds.

I hope you take him into your home. He has a pretty miserable life.

Oh of course, I’ve already been checking Craigslist and Facebook marketplace for a more suitable cage! That and researching how to switch him off that seed diet.

I’ve never clipped my birds wings, even when I first got him. I’m kinda weary about clipping but I can see how it’s something I should be considering in this case scenario.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

The best way to do a slight clip is to put a towel over the bird's front end (head and upper body) leaving the rear end exposed (wingtips and tail). Then take scissors and cut off one inch to one and a half inches of the wingtips only. No need to stretch the wing out to cut. They can still fly but not as fast or high. Chasing a fully flighted wild acting cockatiel around the room for an hour is tiring and stressful for both the chaser and the bird.

I'm opposed to severe wing clipping in all but the most extreme cases. I love to watch my budgies fly. I have 20, and all but 8 free fly in the room all day. Only one of these fliers, Cora, gets wing trimmed. Cora refuses to get on a stick or my hand and if I didn't trim her I would never be able to get her back in the cage. So it's either a wing trim or she never gets any out time.

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh]

It sounds like even if he isn't able to be out all day every day, his life is going to be much better with you.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It sounds like even if he isn't able to be out all day every day, his life is going to be much better with you.

That's what I'm thinking. Get him a nice big used cage, proper perches, lots of toys, and he will be much happier even if he doesn't get to be out all day.

 

[wrench13]

Just keep in mind that lovebirds are known to not be great at accepting other parrots into their flock. There are always exceptions to these traits (all parrots are individuals), but forewarned is fore-armed.