Companion for my 6-yr old parrotlet

[katarina68]

Hello, I am looking for a new companion for my 6-yr old parrotlet. As I am not planning to be a breeder, I am considering to buy another parrotlet of the same gender. The problem is that I do not know what gender my parrotlet is, and I was hoping someone on this forum would be able to tell based on the attached photos. Thanks in advance!

 

[TiredOldMan]

He/she is beautiful but I can't answer your question
Would suggest DNA test.

 

[GaleriaGila]

He/she is beautiful but I can't answer your question
Would suggest DNA test.

Yeah, DNA is inexpensive these days...
A few more thoughts...
It really is a huge decision, isn't it?
You could always get a pair of same-sex birds. They would then keep each other company, but would likely not get very attached to you. Annnnnnd... it can be hard to sex cockatiels and budgies until they get their adult plumage... lovebirds... harder still, I think.
In general, I would say... yeah, see if you can volunteer at a rescue... you'll learn so much! You might even find an adult, or adult same-sex pair which is already bonded (there's never any guarantee that two introduced birds will get along at all).
If and when you proceed, I'd advise finding a local certified avian veterinarian, shopping and pricing equipment, cages, pellets and treats.
If it sounds overwhelming, maybe consider another small pet like a guinea pig, rat, chinchilla, again, maybe a same-sex bonded pair.
Good for you, for researching and reaching out!

I'm glad you're here!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Not all pet birds need a bird companion. I'm not convinced you should get him a friend. You're his friend from what I can see. You can handle him so he must like you. I've read in several places that a single parrotlet makes a better human companion than a pair. They tend to exclude the human and bond to each other.

 

[katarina68]

Not all pet birds need a bird companion. I'm not convinced you should get him a friend. You're his friend from what I can see. You can handle him so he must like you. I've read in several places that a single parrotlet makes a better human companion than a pair. They tend to exclude the human and bond to each other.

My husband found our parrotlet in our backyard in 2019. We kept it after we couldn't find the owner. SInce we have a cat we didn't let it out of the cage so it couldn't really bond with us (I was bitten while taking those photos!). We purchased a partner, an older parrotlet, instead. They bonded and all was good until that older parrotlet recently died. We are now looking for another partner, who should ideally be around 6 years old.

 

[katarina68]

Yeah, DNA is inexpensive these days...
A few more thoughts...
It really is a huge decision, isn't it?
You could always get a pair of same-sex birds. They would then keep each other company, but would likely not get very attached to you. Annnnnnd... it can be hard to sex cockatiels and budgies until they get their adult plumage... lovebirds... harder still, I think.
In general, I would say... yeah, see if you can volunteer at a rescue... you'll learn so much! You might even find an adult, or adult same-sex pair which is already bonded (there's never any guarantee that two introduced birds will get along at all).
If and when you proceed, I'd advise finding a local certified avian veterinarian, shopping and pricing equipment, cages, pellets and treats.
If it sounds overwhelming, maybe consider another small pet like a guinea pig, rat, chinchilla, again, maybe a same-sex bonded pair.
Good for you, for researching and reaching out!

I'm glad you're here!

Thanks - but I already have this parrotlet since 2019 and I am just trying to get a new partner for it to replace the one that recently died.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I see. In that case another parrotlet would be a good idea. It might be hard to get one the age you want.

 

[Inger]

No DNA testing is required for parrotlets, but none of these pictures are helpful. Parrotlets ARE sexually dimorphic (boys and girls look different), but the place to look is under their wings. Cobalt blue under there means male.