Adding another feathery member...

[tfw]

I currently have a 1 1/2yo B&G Macaw (Kass). He's lovely and not aggressive (unless for a reason). But we are thinking of getting a budgie. Still in the research and prep stage. We found an excellent breeder with hand raised budgies. She has regular hatchlings so there's no rush for one and they will not release the bird unless it's fully weaned anyway so definitely a plus.

We wouldn't leave the 2 birds alone together ever. And we should have no issues keeping them in the same room when loose, but keep them apart. And of course we would have the quarantine period.

That said, I read Laurasea's post on mixed breeds cohabitating ( . http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/81489-danger-multiple-species.html ). So I need advice on what life will be like with a large and a tiny bird and what to expect, how to introduce, etc. I expect Kass to go through a pissed off period, but seeing as how my youngest will be the primary caretaker of the budgie (and Kass doesn't particularly like my youngest anyway *pout*) we could keep them far enough apart.

Any thoughts and advice? It won't happen for several weeks to months if at all (we are huge planners).

 

[Laurasea]

Yeah.....very traumatizing for all of us.. budgies are fast, and they are very flock driven,and fearless , it will escape your kid and want to be with the big bird. A very scary combo in my opinion.

 

[tfw]

Any other better bird combo that I could look into instead ? Cockatiel perhaps?

 

[Laurasea]

I like the idea of a cockatiel..

 

[tfw]

Took the kid to an awesome avian store to check out some birds and the cockatiel is his choice. They always have babies so we are thinking mayne by spring he will get one of the newly weaned ones. Plenty of time to prepare.

This place is awesome. TC feathers Aviary in Chantilly, VA. They are a difficult-to-find store/breeder. You have to specifically be looking for a breeder/store. And they will refuse to sell to a customer who has not done research.
In fact while I was there, I heard them lecturing an inquiring family that they should not "shop for a talking bird" since that is not a guarantee. Kudos.

All their babies are screened for diseases and their store is big and beautiful and bright. And it seems they do not sell unweaned babies.

Also featured in this article:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/an-unlikely-parrot-love-story-may-have-resulted-in-a-new-species/2020/01/03/115bf68a-2e66-11ea-bcd4-24597950008f_story.html

Here is one of the babies he was playing with:


And I got to play with the cutest little conure who decided to nest in my hair:






She is bonded with another sweet conure.

 

[noodles123]

You also will want to consider the fact that your Macaw's personality will NOT stay the same. He is still a baby and until you know the adult version of him, you cannot predict much.
A lot changes at puberty...

 

[Laurasea]

What a nice place! Looks like they work with and socialized the young birds, giving them lots of new things to explore and learn during this critical young age. How refreshing!

 

[tfw]

You also will want to consider the fact that your Macaw's personality will NOT stay the same. He is still a baby and until you know the adult version of him, you cannot predict much.
A lot changes at puberty...

I have teens LOL I'm all too familiar with puberty . But thanks for the reminder. We would never leave them alone, even if they seem to get along. Even if Kass loves him and they end up playing together, we would never do that unsupervised. I have a feeling the cockatiel will live on my son's shoulder.