BirdTalk-May06 Amazon Studies

[SpaceLion]

"A study at UC Davis (Meehan, Garner and Mench, 2003) also used orange-winged Amazons to examine whether housing birds in pairs helped reduce stereotypies, aggression, fearfulness and feather-picking. The results seemed to clearly demonstrate the benefits of companionship on the birds' mental state. Parrots housed in pairs spent more time playing, walking, climbing and flying, while the singly-housed parrots were less active, spending more time preening.
More than half of the singly-housed parrots developed stereotypies after a year had passed, but none of the paired parrots did. The paired parrots also showed less fear of, and aggression toward, unfamiliar handlers and were less fearful of unfamiliar objects."

I was wondering if other Amazon owners find that Amazons in pairs seem to make better pets (as in less problems etc.) then single amazons. I think my main concern is whether amazons in pairs would be as interactive and people oriented as single birds. Most things I read (about birds in general, not necessarily amazons) claim that it's best to get just one of a kind of bird so that they bond with you and not eachother. But if, like the study claims, amazons in pairs are less likely to have as many problems, would that pro outweigh the cons of the amazons not bonding as much to the human?

[birdsnthings]

Yes it is better to have a single bird as a pet and two of the same kind kept in separate cages so the birds won't bond to each other therefore not having an interest for the human contact.
I find pairs in the same cage more difficult to handle and moreso when they reach sexual maturity.
Alice

[Mylo's Mama]

I couldn't let my DYH and YN play together when I had them. They always seemed to try and hurt each other. I know that 1 'zon will do fine on their own, but it sure would be nice to have someone else help him preen and so they can play together!

[Willow]

All five of my Amazons live together, they have a room full of hanging gyms and live as a flock. I know it goes against what most people feel/think, but my personal opinion, is that it is unfair to keep animals who naturally live in groups, segrated. That said, of course you need to keep them safe.

Here's Willow and Aspen:

[Lisa B]

Amy...I just LOVE those Orange wings!!
My DYH and OW would be fine together, and did not show any changes in personality being together or apart. Both were happy and well adjusted.
MY BF on the other hand, could be classified as a terrorist...he terrorized everyone and everthing he came into contact with.
He has found a home that loves him, and he can now be handled, tho, he still attacks.

[Joanie Doss]

As to birds getting along.....this depends so much on the individual birds. Species and sex also play a big part in this. I have had two male Napes that have hated each other for over 15 years. They cannot be near each other. Several years ago one got out of his cage and fly to the others. It resulted in the removal of the lower part of the bird's upper beak. Thank heavens it did grow back but two vets told me that there was a good chance it wouldn't.

I think birds such as Lilac Crowns, Green Cheecks and Orange Wings would be more likely to get along with other birds than Napes, Double Yellows and Blue Fronts. The males can become very aggressive with other birds when they are hormonal. Once they simmer down again they are more likely to get along with other birds.

A pair will be good until they go to nest and then they will not tolerate other birds or some humans to be around.

Then, of course, the individual bird changes any law of averages. Just when you think you can make a positive statement some individual bird will do just the opposite of what a group study shows.

Joanie Doss
The Amazing Amazons
http://www.parrothouse.com/bodylanguage.html