Should I get a friend for my Tiel?

[Babyblue033]

It just occured to me, if Miki, my 9 mos old gender unknown (suspected male) Cockatiel, might be happier with a tiel friend. He's the sweetest bird, loves attention and head rubs, and wants to be with his people 24/7. I don't want to jerpardize that, however, other than his desire to be near humans he has little interest in anything else. He doesn't play with many toys, he doesn't climb around his cage, he pretty much sits on a perch all day until someone takes him out. He's out all the time whenever someone is home, but we do work full time so he's left alone in his cage during the day and I can only imagine how bored he must be!

Would getting him a cagemate change our relationship? Would he even enjoy a cagemate and having to share more mommy time? (he doesn't seem too happy about the "new" bird Yubi) Should I get a male or female? I do not want to breed, but assuming that he is a male, would he have a better chance of getting along with one gender over the other?

I didn't really want another bird, but I also don't think another tiel will be too much trouble for any of us. I just feel bad for poor Miki, and wants him to be happy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Monica]

He does appear to be a male, though if he is given out of cage time every day, along with various toys to play with and changed around, as well as some music or tv to listen to while everyone is away he may be just fine. In truth though he may never accept another bird, but if he does either way you'd want to get a male to discourage breeding... or you could even look into another similar sized species for a friend instead.

[birdsnthings]

Good question. I wouldn't suggest putting one right in with your Tiel if you do decide on getting another. It would take him at least a month to accept a new cage mate. They do become quite content being the only bird in there are will be territorial.
The second thing is that if you do get a cage mate they could bond together if not handled every day and not need the human interaction. Handling daily is important.
Even if you do get another bird and have them in separate cages, it may take some time for the first to get used to another bird being around so out of the cage socialization may not be as you would expect right off. They will have squabbles and the first will assert "pecking order".
I would suggest a second male if you have no intention of breeding. That will be easier during the homanal times. It is possible for two males to co-exist and become friends but may take a little time.
Alice

[Babyblue033]

Miki is always out whenever anyone is home, no one can ignore that poor bird who waits for someone to take him out with his FOOT RAISED.

He's quite content when he's sitting on someone's shoulder or getting his head rubbed, but when put in his cage or his playpen he just SITS there. He seems to be disinterested in toys (I've tried many), and even those toys that catches his interest it is only for brief seconds. Even the mirror which he loved at first is out of favor. That's why I thought maybe a friend might be a good idea since he does seem to enjoy the physical contact (at least with people) and also watching an active cagemate might give him some ideas.

If Yubi was similar size as Miki I would let them settle the pecking order and they MIGHT get along ok, but due to their size difference they're not allowed contact at all so they remain strangers. I am considering a similar size bird of different species, but which bird?

Oh and whichever bird I get, he'll be housed separately until (and IF) they get along without a problem.

In the meantime, I'll try the TV or music idea.

[Rue]

...I personally think birds are happier with other birds about...

...we've always had two tiels...when introducing a new bird to an existing bird I always gave it a good week - 2 weeks of living in neighbouring cages before introducing them.

I also change the older cage around so it's 'new' to both birds on some level...

So far I haven't had any problems with 'tiels accepting each other...

Right now our youngest 'tiel spends days in the same cage as the established pair, but my 10-year old takes her to his room for the night...even this unusual relationship is working out fine for all the birds (and my son!)...

Worst-case scenario? Two neighbouring cages...not the end of the world, and I still think of benefit to both birds...

Good luck!

[Babyblue033]

I was thinking even if they can't live together in one cage, just being able to hang out with each other when they're out would be good for Miki. Right now Yubi plays on his boing, while Miki sits on his playpen, and while I don't feel so bad for Yubi since he always keeps himself busy (which is just amazing to me), it makes me wish they were similar size so Miki can actually intereact with him.

I don't know. As far as I know Miki hasn't had another bird to interact with since he left his breeder (I'm already his 2nd home) so I don't even know if he'll like a playmate...

I have no experience with introducing birds to each other, altho I have tons of experience with introducing rats and other small mammals. I would think it's similar concept, cages next to each other for days/weeks to let them get used to each other's presence, swapping cages, letting them hang out together on neutral grounds slowly increasing time intervals, then finally washing the cage and all accessories to reduce territorial reaction and putting them together. I have yet to meet a rat I wasn't able to introduce to others (male rats are known to be territorial, not to mention hormonal depending on age), yet I am terrified of the thought of introducing birds!

[Perroquet]

I have never felt the need to have more than one 'teil. They bond so strongly with you that I have not felt it necessary. we would often hear our cockateil singing up a real storm even when he didn't know we were home and he never seemed to stress about being left to his own amusement.
I feel if he is not showing signs of real loneliness such as distructive behaviour etc then leave things as they are.
If you do decide to get a mate for him I would not be overly concerned about whether you got a male or female. I wouldn't expect them to try to mate if they have no nesting boxes, but perhaps someone could advise further if they have found this to be a problem.

[Babyblue033]

He is very bonded to me and my fiance. As I type this, he's sitting on my chest lovingly gazing into my eyes I'm just concerned that we're ALL he lives for and we're not home enough, and unlike Yubi who seems to know how to keep himself entertained, Miki does very little when not with his people.

Am I the only one with a tiel who's not very toy oriented, or is this normal for tiels? I once read that tiels have "no sense of humor" and Miki seems to fit that description. LOL.

The good news it, my fiance has ok-ed another bird as a companion for Miki, but he doesn't want another tiel So for now we're also looking into another bird of similar size and friendly attitude.

[Perroquet]

Hey the more the merrier I always say. Cockateils make fantastic pets and I always recommend them especially for beginners as they are so hardy and just love people as a rule. Come to think of it they love everything. I have seen plenty of cockateil that are happy to play with the family dog providing it doesn't try to eat it!

[cbalvino]

well,I have 7 tiels and some fight,nothing serious some are loving to each other,but they are a flock together every morning they all fly out of there cage,fly around the room,and then begin there day it's beautiful to see! I also have a huge cage full of parakeets,not tame but quite the little city,talking,eating,sleeping I think they are all happy together,some of my tiels are very bonded with me and some not but all are out so they can be with me if they want