One Bird or Two
With a buddy, will they not be as attached to the person? Probably not, but that depends on what type of attachment the person wants. It also depends on how flexible the owner is. We have pet birds we keep together 80% of the time, but if one starts guarding the other or gets overly territorial, then I am sure to have a spare cage to separate them for a time. We also have our birds that share a day cage , but have separate sleep areas. One sleeps in the cage and the other sleeps on the play top. Read about sleep cages by clicking here.
If someone wants 2 birds, I usually recommend that someone gets that first baby and develops a really tight bond. Then about 6 months later, or better yet, wait a year, get another, and if they are not interested in breeding, that they get the same sex. Click here to read if two birds of the same sex will get along. You, as an owner, need to watch and know your birds well enough to anticipate a problem. If two start becoming aggressive to you in anyway, then I would separate them. You can have periods of time where they are together and periods of time where they are separate.
The first bird will have started bonding to you, and it will teach the new baby, which can be the same species or a similar-sized but different species. This second baby will often bond more to the first bird than to you because it hasn't had time alone with you like the first. I have had people keep their two birds separate until the second bird develops a tight bond too to their human.
But even if that second bird does bond tighter to the first, that can be a good thing. You do want them to enjoy each other, and it will reduce their neediness and demands on you. I don't really want them to be so clingy to me that they are constantly wanting to be with me, which a single bird will do unless you teach them as babies how to play by themselves.
Back to your question about how they get along with others. There is never a hard rule about whether it is safe to put 2 birds in the same cage. They are all unique individuals. I know Crimson Bellies that have bonded to and been caged with Green cheeks with no problems. Yet, I have had squabbles even between proven pairs (meaning they are really bonded closely) that has resulted in death. Hormones can make birds change in attitude towards one another. I do always introduce 2 birds in a neutral territory and not inside one of the cages. Usually, they meet on a table or play gym. It is just about impossible to predict if 2 birds will get along. Never count on adding a second bird and it sharing the cage with your first bird. If they can share a cage, then that is an added blessing, but be prepared for 2 cages. Read my article on if gender determines if 2 birds will get along....
Do be aware that your bird has the potential to be jealous and regards you as belonging to him. Many parrot owners buy a second bird, thinking that they are getting their pet parrot a companion, but that can backfire on the owner. Your birds wants you! Of course, if the first bird is older and more set in his ways, this situation is more likely than if they are both young and not sexually mature yet. Here is one example of jealousy.
Hi Beth:
Peanut has been biting me lately Beth. He really draws blood
too, and my skin is so thin anymore, very distressing. He can
act like he is going to be the little doll that he has always
been, and then bam...he nails me good. Do you think if I found
another home for Butter he would go back to his old kind self? I
don't draw my hand back, I do take the bite, but darn it hurts,
especially when he gets me on my arm that I hurt. Is he going
thru his teenage years?
Butter and he tolerate each other, but will not hang out on the
same cage together..Little Butter's personality is like Peanut's
used to be, gives ya kisses, snuggles up in my ear, never bites,
goes to anyone, and Peanut is a one person bird now, and now he
is turning on me, the one person. Can you give me any hints on
what to do? I will find Butter another home if you think that is
what is going on. I try to give both of them the same amount of
attention, but when I give Butter any attention, Peanut just
goes bonkers...climbing up and down, flying off the cage, making
little clucking sounds. I love them both, but Peanut comes
first...can you believe he is going to be 4 years old in August?
Thank you for the people that have had me make their
birdies bunks...I
have quite a bit of repeat orders, just got one the other day
from Texas, she wants 4 of them and says her little sun sleeps
on his back in his, how cute is that? Also one poor lady who is
getting a bird from you, is it Connie? Or Donna, I don't
remember which, I am so tired tonight, going to head for the hay
as soon as I get this done...anyhow she has to have knee
surgery, she is going to be able to bond big time with that wee
birdie recuperating. I get orders from my website, I need to
tweek it, but with everything happening, last thing I have
wanted to get involved with.
Hope you and yours are doing well.
Thanx for any advice you have for me.
Jane
She called about 2 weeks ago
and we talked for a while about Peanut and Butter. Finally I
recommended moving Peanut to a room where he could not see
Butter, and not playing with Butter in front of Peaunt. I was
relieved to get this email from her: