Companion bird advice

[MIA/Pearl/GA]

I have an Illiger’s Macaw, approximately six years old. I know parrots are loud by nature, but I’m wondering if a friend could possibly help distract, provide some needed companionship for her. Thoughts?

 

[wrench13]

NEVER EVER get an additional parrot because you think your parrot needs/wants one. Get one because YOU want one. Too many things can happen and only one outcome is ideal. Read up on it.

 

[MIA/Pearl/GA]

Thanks!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Post pictures of your macaw! We love to see baby pictures.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Ok please don't take this the wrong way!!!!

Did you just

Ask if getting a *second parrot*

Would make your macaw quieter?





No. I wish it worked like that No, more likely than not:

1 parrot + 1 parrot = noise level(+3 parrots)

Meaning two parrots is louder than one parrot plus one parrot volumes just added together.


Now to be fair I only have the one macaw and the rest of my birds are other species, but this is how the volume seemed to increase with adding additional budgies or cockatiels.

The flock volume is greater than the sum of its parts

If that makes sense

 

[onamom]

I have to agree a second will just make them louder. I know from experience now I’d suggest making sure you’ve got a wide variety of toys and foraging toys to keep him/her entertained! But to be honest, yes, sometimes they are just loud. Ona has every toy under the sun but sometimes she just wants to scream.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Remember those ads for a dog product that had the human telling the barking dog to use their indoor voice? Not sure that would work for parrots!
There's a bird store in Van Nuys California that has dozens of large parrots (I think they're still there, Birds Plus). I used to go in there pretty often when I lived in LA and the noise from all those big macaws and cockatoos was deafening! It almost seemed like they were trying to out scream one another. Whenever someone hopes getting another bird will help with the screaming I think about those screaming parrots and say "I don't think so".

 

[MIA/Pearl/GA]

Post pictures of your macaw! We love to see baby pictures.

I’m a newbie obviously. Where would I post pictures?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Just attach them to any post you make using the attach files button below.

Hit attach files, go to your pictures on your phone. Select a picture.

 

[rheashard2]

I kinda think 1 parrot x2 is noise squared. It's definitely more then doubled. Anyone who has a parrot mimic the smoke or burglar alarms will claim the noise is quadruple. I'd like to see pics too.

 

[MIA/Pearl/GA]

Post pictures of your macaw! We love to see baby pictures.

I’m new to the forum. Where would I post pictures?

 

[rheashard2]

You can click attach file lower or click the picture icon of reply bar. Go to your file, click on pic and it'll be downloaded. Somewhere in forum there's a description of how to download video files.

 

[texsize]

I have never owned macaws.
But I have owned amazon parrots (multiple) for years.

Generally speaking more parrots = more noise.
You have to take individual behavior and circumstances into consideration.

I have a rescue amazon (Luna) that was a real screamer. She spent at least some time in a wild flock before being found too weak to fly.
I got her a partner of the same species and was very lucky that they got along.

Does Luna still scream, yes and so does her partner.
But it’s not all the time just morning and evening like you expect

While I did get the Merlin as a partner for Luna I bought him for myself as well.

 

[MIA/Pearl/GA]

Just attach them to any post you make using the attach files button below.

Hit attach files, go to your pictures on your phone. Select a picture.

Sorry, I just saw your reply!

Post pictures of your macaw! We love to see baby pictures.

I’m still not 100% on the where/how’s but I think I did it right. Thanks for the help!

 

[MIA/Pearl/GA]

I have never owned macaws.
But I have owned amazon parrots (multiple) for years.

Generally speaking more parrots = more noise.
You have to take individual behavior and circumstances into consideration.

I have a rescue amazon (Luna) that was a real screamer. She spent at least some time in a wild flock before being found too weak to fly.
I got her a partner of the same species and was very lucky that they got along.

Does Luna still scream, yes and so does her partner.
But it’s not all the time just morning and evening like you expect

While I did get the Merlin as a partner for Luna I bought him for myself as well.

Thanks for your response. I guess I should have phrased my question a little more carefully. I was actually thinking of how likely Pearl would get along with another bird. (Not sure what kind yet but I’ll know when it chooses me.) She seems fascinated by the wild birds she sees in the yard when she’s on our deck (in her cage of course).

 

[texsize]

My gut feeling on this is.

The younger your current bird is (not gone through puberty) the better the chances are it will accept a new bird.
And.
If your current bird has only been with you a relatively short time, say less than a year a new bird is more likely to be accepted.

There is a YouTube channel called “parrot bliss” and the woman who runs it feels most parrots do better when they have parrot companionship.

Check out some of her videos.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I read that Illgers macaws are very sociable and like people and other birds as company. They were known to hang out with Spix Macaws in the wild because their ranges overlapped a bit. Maybe a conure, a quaker or a mini macaw? Just don't expect then to be quiet! I like Quakers and they aren't too expensive. Young small macaws are $$$ unless you get a rescue. Sun conures are among the loudest parrots but such gorgeous birds.

 

[MIA/Pearl/GA]

My gut feeling on this is.

The younger your current bird is (not gone through puberty) the better the chances are it will accept a new bird.
And.
If your current bird has only been with you a relatively short time, say less than a year a new bird is more likely to be accepted.

There is a YouTube channel called “parrot bliss” and the woman who runs it feels most parrots do better when they have parrot companionship.

Check out some of her videos.

I am a little worried that she may not accept another one. She’s about six and I’ve had her for four of those years. I’ll def check out the videos. Thanks!

 

[MIA/Pearl/GA]

I kinda think 1 parrot x2 is noise squared. It's definitely more than doubled. Anyone who has a parrot mimic the smoke or burglar alarms will claim the noise is quadruple. I'd like to see pics too.

I kinda think they’re all loud. My sister has some kind of “pineapple/green cheek (or something like that) conure. He’s just as loud as Pearl.

 

[MIA/Pearl/GA]

I read that Illgers macaws are very sociable and like people and other birds as company. They were known to hang out with Spix Macaws in the wild because their ranges overlapped a bit. Maybe a conure, a quaker or a mini macaw? Just don't expect then to be quiet! I like Quakers and they aren't too expensive. Young small macaws are $$$ unless you get a rescue. Sun conures are among the loudest parrots but such gorgeous birds.

She’s very social. She wants to have everyone’s undivided attention at all times. I couldn’t possibly afford another mini macaw. (I still can’t believe my husband agreed to go along with what we paid for Pearl!)

I love the Quakers. Unfortunately they illegal in Georgia.

I’ve gotten used to the noise level. I had just wondered if it was better or healthier for birds to have a companion and wanted opinions of some veteran bird parents. Thanks for your input! By the way, I love your beautiful blue baby! Budgies are such happy babies!