Parrotlet Friend for a Green Cheek?

[JennyB]

Not sure where to post question, but since we have a green cheek, thought I'd start here... our little green cheek, almost a year old, recently lost her Birdie Buddy, my 25 year old cockatiel. We were worried she was starting to pluck, but after talking to a couple of you guys, reading, etc., we think she's just starting to molt. Anyway, we're still considering finding her a friend, and a green-rumped parrotlet near us (5 or 6 months old) is being re-homed.

If they're caged separately, could this be a good fit? Anyone have experience/advice regarding parrotlets? Our green cheek is very social and playful.

Thank you! Jenny

 

[Peeko]

I would definitely cage them separately. I've heard a lot about parrotlets being extremely territorial and frequently biting other birds, even their bonded mates, and causing serious injury. A friend of mine has two parrotlets that have been a bonded, mated, clutch producing pair for years and the female is missing 3 or 4 toes because of the male, and the male recently broke her leg as well. She now cages them separately.

 

[JennyB]

Oh my goodness! I guess cute & innocent looking can be deceiving!!! I'm sure it could happen with any breed, but maybe we're better off continuing to look/wait for another green-cheek! I loved my cockatiel, but she was petrified of the gc, so we thought the parrotlet might be a little spunkier, and could hold her own, but I don't want a toe-eating monster, either!!!

Jenny

 

[thekarens]

Parrotlets are tiny little amazons. They might get along and they might try to eat each other, but that could be true even with another gcc

 

[JennyB]

Arrrgghh!!! This is so nerve wracking!

 

[crimson]

parrotlets rarely get along with any other type of bird except for their own kind.
they will sever toes without giving it a second thought, and bite hard....it's just their nature.

 

[thekarens]

parrotlets rarely get along with any other type of bird except for their own kind.
they will sever toes without giving it a second thought, and bite hard....it's just their nature.

I know of a breeding pair that has been together since young and the male has still bitten off two toes of the hen.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Ok I need to chime in here too. Parrotlets are feisty lil birds. Very territorial, and do not tolerate other birds in their space. A Linnie might be a better choice or even another cockatiel. I have a P'let and a Senegal. They DONOT get along. They are both female, and the same age. My P'let is an major instigator, and will pick fights with my Sennie even though the Sennie is 120 grams and my P'let is only 30 grams. She doesn't care.

By adding a parrotlet as a companion, you might do more harm then good. Something you may want to think about.

 

[MikeyTN]

Parrolets and Lovebirds are the same in that regard, they don't get along with other species of birds but their own. Another one that don't play well with others is the Lory/Lorikeets.

 

[JennyB]

Thank you guys so much! You made our decision so much easier! We were planning to see some Linnie babies today when we found the little Parrotlet... much as I would like to have helped out, it didn't seem to be wise! We passed on the parrotlet, went back to visit some other rescue birds, played with the teeny Linnie babies (and some GIANT Macaw babies!), but finally put a deposit on a turquoise green cheek! We've been all over Utah, and I can't wait until Jellybean's new little friend comes home in about 5/6 weeks!!!

 

[JennyB]

Was hoping I'd fall in love with the Linnies, they were sweet and adorable, and could have come home this week, but what really changed our mind was the difference in length of life expectancy of the Linnies and green cheeks... Jellybean is still less than a year old, and I don't want her to have to lose another friend in 12-15 years and go through this again! I know life is not promised, everyday is a gift, and there's no guarantee they'll even like each other , but I'm going at this like she and her new friend will have a long, happy, healthy life together, for as long as possible! (It's going to be so hard to be patient until the Newbie arrives!)