Amazed when parrots of different species become close

[ParrotSnakeMan]

My Congo African Grey and Indian Ringneck have become so close I’m really surprised. I hoped they would tolerate each other and not be aggressive, but I’m shocked how well they seem to like each other. Playing with toys together, perching together, small amounts of grooming. They are both flighted and free to spend time on various perches or cage tops of their choosing but they spend more time together than apart.

I’m curious about other owners and how different species of parrot get along if anyone has stories to share. I’ve been told by some people locally that this relationship between my Grey and Ringneck is not typical and that for the most part both of these species aren’t great with other birds. Not sure how true that is.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I think this is just so cool!

 

[LaManuka]

My Congo African Grey and Indian Ringneck have become so close I’m really surprised. I hoped they would tolerate each other and not be aggressive, but I’m shocked how well they seem to like each other. Playing with toys together, perching together, small amounts of grooming. They are both flighted and free to spend time on various perches or cage tops of their choosing but they spend more time together than apart.

I’m curious about other owners and how different species of parrot get along if anyone has stories to share. I’ve been told by some people locally that this relationship between my Grey and Ringneck is not typical and that for the most part both of these species aren’t great with other birds. Not sure how true that is.

Interspecies relationships sure can be hit-and-miss, and I'm glad you've got a hit on your hands there! Some of my guys get along, and others not so much. My princess parrot Peachie and my 'tiels are just plain weird. Peachie loves to spend time with the 'tiels in their cage first thing in the morning and they get along there perfectly fine. Outside the cage, however, they fight like cats and dogs and chase each other all over the house, and the 'tiels don't like my lorikeet Lovejoy either!! Peachie and Lovejoy on the other hand, well it's a lovefest every day with those two, see Exhibit A!!!

 

[ParrotSnakeMan]

I suppose it’s up to the individual bird. I watch them like a hawk and all time is supervised and even trained them to stay off each other cages at one point, but they prefer to be together and scream and cause scene if I prevent it.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I remember in our parrot club, there was a sun conure and a CAG who LOVED each other. They could be in the same travel cage together. AT home, obviously, they had separate cages.

 

[AprilRobin]

Beautiful birds! Sprite, our Sun Conure, is friends with our two Cockatiels, Kona and Pepper. When they are loose in the bird room together *, they often choose to sit inside Sprite's cage or Kona and Pepper's. Or sit on a play stand.

* Sprite dislikes our Budgies, so we have to alternate between her being loose or them. Kona and Pepper are fine with everyone.

Edit: I want to clarify that, although Sprite, Kona, and Pepper like to sit inside open cages together, I would not house them in the same cage.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

That's so nice they're friends. Some budgies can be pretty annoying, if not aggressive, to larger birds for such little guys. English budgies are usually much more docile than regular budgies.

 

[AprilRobin]

That's so nice they're friends. Some budgies can be pretty annoying, if not aggressive, to larger birds for such little guys. English budgies are usually much more docile than regular budgies.

Yes, Budgies can be pushy with their friendship. In particular, some people like to house Budgies with Cockatiels because both are from Australia and can eat similar foods. I always insist that Cockatiels appreciate their "quiet time". Sometimes they need a break from Budgie energy. I've seen videos of aviaries where the two species seemed okay together, but I would not make them share an indoor cage.

 

[Zilga]

Half the reason we ended up with several Bourke's is because Mochi was so obsessed with Olive (BH pionus) that we were concerned because of the size difference and decided she needed friends her own size. Olive is really chill, but she's like 6x Mochi's size! Also, the feeling wasn't 100% mutual.

 

[Rozalka]

I have experience on how Bourkes and budgies get along... they are two totally different personalities - budgies are full of energy and social, while Bourkes are usually quiet and like personal space (to the level that they don't even preen each other). Because of that budgies were kind of annoying for them and before getting the second budgie, there were situations when Romek (budgie) forced Rozalka (Bourke) to preen him. I could see she wasn't happy about it but she did it. Somehow she understood him.
But, I also noticed that despite these difference, some kind of friendship between these two species was developed. Rozalka showed that she actually cared about them in a few ways. Even when I was taking away Romek's body (sadly he passed away), she made a sound of sadness. The most surprising (and shocking) moment was when Rozalka was trying to teach Angela (another budgie) flying

 

[kme3388]

You are lucky that all of your parrots get along. My largest one is an instigator/fighter. My mid sized parrot wants to mate with everything, and just goes on other parrots cages. I have to save him from himself. He’s very sweet but not the brightest. My smaller 2 parrots are bonded, and want to eat everything alive that comes near their love nest/cage aside from myself, my husband, and our German shepherd. Anyone, or anything else gets dive bombed.