Do any of you only have one bird?

[Gretchen]

It seems like most of the bird families I'm reading about have multiple birds. Are there any one bird families out there? How do you think a female eclectus would do in a one bird household? Right now it's just me... hubby... and one spoiled little dog! (Bichon)

 

[mnsalani]

We have only one birdie, and she is a female ekkie! It's just my fiance and I, no other family around--but she is very happy! You just have to make sure to give her plenty of love, attention & spoil her rotten.

 

[merlinsmom13]

I only have 1 bird. Sometimes I think I would love having this bird & that bird. I could be a hoarder. lol Merlin is very jeolous of my attention, so I think we will always be 1 bird. He's happy that way.

 

[andrea.faerie]

I only have one bird ^^ me, the boyfriend, the lizard and the bird. fishtank too haha but only one lil' conure <3 she's the baby and definitely the most spoiled of the family haha

 

[antoinette]

I only have one bird Mishka, an African Grey almost 4 years old. We, my two sins and myself live with Mishka, yipe you heard correctly, Mishka is the "man" of the apartment.
He gets so much love and attention, he is the most lovable "giving" bird, I have ever had. I reckon he would never have enough time for a bird companion, he has so much to do each day, talk about being busy oh boy, and he is always busy talking and talking, playing and being so mischievous.

 

[nofearengineer]

I have only one bird...Bitty, a CAG of uncertain age (we think about 2-1/2 years old). I think she's pretty happy with it that way, as she doesn't have to share me.

 

[c3honey84]

From everything that I have read about eclectus parrots, they prefer a one bird household. They are very sensitive to noise and commotion, so multiple birds is not the best thing for them. However, I do know that many people have eclectus parrots with other birds, so I guess it depends. I know that my Roxy freaks out anytime she hears something loud, or if someone just walks by quickly. When she hears my mother in law's cockatoo scream, she just freezes and her eyes get real wide. We are getting our own place soon, and one of the main reasons is so that I can get Roxy away from all the screaming lol

 

[Rio Mom]

I just have one bird too. A very spoiled green cheek conure.

 

[Eclectica]

Kodie is also a single parrot for the past 3 years. He grew up with others, but they were outside avairy parrots mostly. He doesn't actually bother having a friend or not. I found he is better at having a small parrot buddy then a big one, he'll probably become jealous, that's why I had the GCC and now the lovie.

He has no interest in socializing with him, but I think, especially when I'm away over some weekends and its just mum at home, the little lovie keeps yapping, so he has some company. Lol.

 

[AmazonServant]

I've been reading around informally about second/multiple parrots, mostly just out of curiosity as it will be a long time before I consider getting another big bird. Everything I've read about eclectuses and greys seems to indicate that they tend to be better on their own, and don't interact quite so well with other breeds. Obviously that all depends on each bird, but I thought it was interesting to note.

 

[stephend]

I only have Bob, a tiel, but I am thinking of getting another in the not to distant future; maybe after Bob is potty trained.

 

[Cowtown]

I am also a 1 Eckie family... me Abby, 2 dogs and 1 cat..
Abby is the center of attention and seems to be ok.

 

[Amps]

I only have one bird, a cockatiel. Most people say that it is usually best to have one bird at a time, because instead of growing attached to another bird, they will grow a stronger bond with you instead. Also, the bird is usually more prone to learning speech if he is alone with you, as his attention will be on you and not somewhere else. Having just one bird let's me spend most of my time with my bird, instead of having to divide time between multiple birds, and not giving them the attention they need.

 

[Mayden]

I used to have only the one budgie - and things were fantastic, she was brilliant and she was well loved and just a FANTASTIC bird. When I got Bruce to keep her company I will admit I was disappointed as things didn't work out quite like I had hoped them to,

Wonsy eventually passed away and I love Bruce to bits, however he was never handtame, just really 'company' for Wonsy.

I would certainly go back to having a one bird household as long as you've got the time and love to spoil the bird rotten, then I don't see the issue.

I currently have 5 budgie's and a Senegal and I love them all so much, wouldn't get rid of any, but if it happened that I ended up with only the one bird left, I'd be content as long as the bird was.

 

[kerry]

I only own 1 parrot at this time a Yellow Naped amazon that was dropped off in the Humane Society's night drop box. I have been fostering other birds 1 at a time hoping to find 1 that would be right for my family to adopt. So far none of the 3 parrots that I have fostered have been the right one to become part of my family. I also have a 4 & 1/2 year old female Golden Retriever who is very respectful of the parrots that I have had here. All 4 of them that I have had here try to intimidate her with their behavior & it has worked. She gives them a wide berth! I am very pleased with her behavior in that area. I am hoping to have 1 more parrot in my "flock" soon, 'tho.

 

[Pinkbullets]

My boyfriend and I currently only have one bird, seeing as we live in an apartment where parrots are actually discouraged.

Luna doesn't complain though - she gets all of the love and attention that she wants!

 

[Printer bird]

I just have one bird (a GCC) and have only ever owned one bird at a time. Most of them do fine as long as they get regular attention and company from you.

 

[NovaBird]

We are a fairly new fam with an African Grey, Nova. It is me and my husband and out two dogs. Nova(in his cage) and the dogs have their own room while we are at work. So he gets to talk to Jezebel and Elvis all day.

 

[savagem13]

In my opinion, it totally depends on the bird, the situation, the household, the working schedules of the household, and a million other factors. I think some birds, if they get plenty of out-of-cage time and tons of attention from their owners, can be perfectly happy as single fids. However, these are FLOCK creatures we are talking about. I don't believe that they can be happy if they are alone all day long.

I have 14 birds total--whenever possible, I have them paired up. I've got a male sun conure living with a male lovie. A female greencheek living with a male lovie. Two budgies together. Two cockatiels together. Before anyone freaks out about the living arrangements--the odd couples have been together since they were 8 weeks old, and have lived happily together for over 3 years now. They feed each other, snuggle together at night, preen each other, etc. They also tend to hang out together when they are let out for their exercise time.

My larger birds--three CAGs and a goffins--are all rehomed, older birds. They all have their own spacious cages. They do not get along when let out of their cages. I have a large dog kennel (6 feet by 10 feet) that I've converted into an aviary. It's got perches (closet poles), toys, and a tarp roof. I can put the two female CAGs in there together on opposite sides. But eventually, Optimus will start to climb over to Rosie and Rosie will start to scream. I'm pretty sure Opti's just teasing. It's fun--something to do. Same thing if I put the male CAG in with Opti. They'll sit on opposite sides for a good, long time--playing with toys, trying to bite through the zip ties that hold down the tarp, calling out to passing dogs, etc. But eventually Loke will start to climb over toward Opti, and Opti will scream and head for me. Polly, the Goffins, doesn't interact nicely with any of my other birds, either. But they do communicate to each other pretty much all day long. They'll mimic each other's vocalizations. I'm pretty sure they keep each other company when I'm not home, even though they can't be trusted to share the same space without supervision.

As an aside, one of my all-time favorite things to do on a summer evening is to bring a few birds out to the aviary, plunk myself down in the canvas chair that I keep in there, and read a book. The birds'll wander over when they want a scritch, call out to passing walkers, whistle, watch the wild birds. Until one of the birds decides it's time to tease another, it's pure bliss.

 

[Beilana]

I have one bird, for now at least I am sure when my boyfriend and I get our own place we will get another one.