I'm looking at one website where I can purchase a "pair", as opposed to a single, and choose between "chicks" and "adults".
I'm torn between getting a pair, because, then, each always has a nearby "friend" that they grow up with and develop a bond with (you'd hope), and therefore might be less prone to loneliness and anxiety and such... or getting just one parrot.
Especially if both birds are the same species, same age, same brood, and grow up with each other, you'd think that there'd be minimal infighting and they'd develop somewhat as strong of a bond with each other as with you, their provider, which I hear is strong with parrots, and macaws in particular. Obviously I'm looking at double-size cages fit for the largest (duo) of parrots (with adjustable divider) so they have ample room for themselves when desired.
I'm curious what other people's results have been, doing something similar.
First things first are you sure they're a reputable breeder with healthy birds and not scammers is there reviews etc
I'm in no ways experienced my four month old quaker parrot Diva is my first parrot so take what I say with a pinch of salt I'm sure someone more experienced will be along to help.
From what I've researched if you want a pair of parrots but also want a good bond with your parrot you should get one baby parrot and raise and train it before adding another.
Apparantly parrots kept together in the same cage from the get go can bond to each other and have no interest in humans.
I've always been a dog owner and in the dog world it's not recommended to get two puppies either from the same litter or simular age because of littermate syndrome this is were the dogs forsake building a bond with their owner and bond tightly to each other this I hear is also very typical in parrots.
If you did really want two remember it's double of everything food, treats, vet treatment, time, training,noise mess etc etc
If you really wanted to do it I'd advise having two cages so the birds can be pals outside their cage but aren't always together and fixated on each other so you can take them out individually and work on training and bonding.
Also makes a huge difference in any bird on what way they've been reared and if they're tamed or not.
If the birds aren't either hand tamed or hand reared it's almost certain given a choice they'll pick each other over getting to know humans if they are tamed well again I'd still keep them in individual cages for at least a few months and work on training and building a bond with each of them individually.
I'm not sure about bird genetics but if your getting a pair of babies from the same clutch are you getting dna tested because what about inbreeding I'm really not sure how that works in birds
If it's your first bird I'd really recommend a human tamed baby and add another bird in time when your first is totally trained if that's what you still want.
Diva my hand raised quaker I got off a breeder is super cuddly, affectionate, smart and super bonded to me. I work selling online and I'm a introvert so she has me all to herself and is out of her cage with me all day every day though.
If you work or are gone long hours a pair may be better or another pet rather than a parrot.
Also I don't know if what your saying is that your wanting a macaws solo or a pair but if this is your first time owning a bird/birds Macaws are a large emotional highly intelligent species who need a lot of training and handling. That beak hurts are you ready to take some nasty bites, to provide enough mental stimulation to one or two large birds to negotiate your way throw puberty and hormones. I originally went to collect a green chick conure baby when I met Diva at the breeders house. She was the last of a clutch of handraised baby quaker parrots and she picked me attaching herself quite literally to my shoulder and preening chatting and chirping so I brought her home. When I brought her home and began researching I realised quaker parrots are not usually advised as birds for first time owners l. She's crazy intelligent needs a lot of time and training she's hand raised very affectionate and needy but she's still given me a few nasty nips when she doesn't get her own way and their nothing compared to what I'm expecting when she hits puberty and hormones hit in but I love her and I'm ready to meet her needs and weather the ups and downs with her. One macaw never mind two will be a lot of hard hard work to keep happy and to learn how to communicate with and their beaks are far more intima dating than my little quaker. There's also the issue of feather plucking and health problems if birds are stressed not getting enough time from you or in general unwell. The fresh fruit and veg for one or two large parrots that they need to be healthy doesn't come cheap.
If they've been reared from a breeder who has fed seed be prepared to have a lot of work and waste a lot of money as you begin to try to convert them to a healthy diet an ongoing issue I'm going through with Diva at present I throw out more fresh food and pellets that she eats.
So be very careful you don't over parrot yourself.
Again I'm very new to owning a parrot (well more like Diva owns me
) good luck with whatever decision you make
