New Parrot owner

[jtittsworth]

Hello, my name is Josephine. I just found this forum while Googling for forums. I am retired from IBM and currently a Ph.D student at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. I am curious as to the potential interactions between my Quaker Parrot and my young Cockatiel. I have not seen either fly yet. Currently the Quaker Parrot is sitting on top of his/her cage and the Cockatiel is enclosed inside his/her cage. I do not know whether to allow both loose as the same time or whether to allow them to share cages. I am new at parrot ownership but willing to learn.

 

[birdcrazy]

never let them share cages - quakers are very cage territorial and could easily hurt a cockatiel

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Sounds like you are starting out right. As BC said they should not share a cage, they each need their own place.

To introduce them you should have them take turns being out where the caged one can see them. Their reactions to each other across the (relative) safety of cage bars will gauge when you may be able to let them out together.

It would be a lot easier to let them out together if both of their wings are clipped - I'm generally indifferent on the idea of clipping and I don't clip Auggie's wings, but this is a situation where it would help. If they're out together and they can fly one could attack the other much faster than you could intervene.

Don't be in any hurry however; take a good amount of time having them take turns out. Talk to and interact with both of them in view of the other.

 

[jtittsworth]

thanks, I will try that. My next question is what fruits are safe to feed them. I read that feeding them fruit occiassionally is good but are there fruits that are taboo?

Josephine

 

[birdcrazy]

fruits and veggies should be a main part of their diet - pretty much anything but advocado and the seeds of some fruits. Avoid stringy fruits and veggies that could get caught in their digestive systems, and things like iceberg lettuce that have no nutritional value.

 

[Chewy]

if you give them cherries, make sure you de-pit the cherries. I know their beaks are small, but have heard of birds dieing from eating the pit,