Another Bird?

[Michele WithOneL]

When you get a second bird does it hurt your relationship with your first bird? I have an eight month old TAG who loves me. I have been considering getting a second bird but I'm worried about what my TAG will think. I know to quarantine and I know to show my first bird lots of attention but what happens when their cages are finally in the same room and each bird sees me interacting with the other bird. We tend to think of our birds as kids (fids...right?) so it's no big deal, to us, to get more of them because we'll love them all. But it's my understanding that our birds see us as their mates. I don't know about you, but if my husband brought home another woman it would greatly change our relationship. My TAG can't pack her bags and leave if I bring home another bird but if it will damage our relationship and make her not love me so much then I don't know if bringing another bird home is something I want to consider. Any thoughts?.....

Michele W

[Doyle'sMommy]

I don't know if they see us so much as their mates but more like their flock or family. Since bringing home Danny & Princess, Doyle really hasn't changed that much or really at all. He still loves my husband and I and wants our attention. He has been talking up a storm since they came home, which I am not sure if that has anything to do with them or not. Princess is crazy about him but he is not interested at all, he does call to Danny all the time though and they imitate each others calls. I love having multiple birds and I think Doyle appreciates having other birds around even if he doesn't want them near him. I imagine it's comforting to call to them when we are gone.

[svolk]

If your TAG loves you, maybe a 2nd bird would take more to your husband - that's what happened with us. My budgie is very bonded to me, more so than my husband. When we brought our tiel home, she took to my husband more. So it works out well for us that we each have a strong bond with one of our birds. We can both still handle both birds (except the little brat budgie sometimes just plain has it out for my hubby like when hubby rearranged the bird room the blue stinker was upset by this so that night all he wanted to do was bite hubby and of course is always an angel with me ).

Although when I have to handle the birds by myself if my husband is away, there is jealousy. I try to spend equal time with both birds but when it's Lulu's turn for attention Jerry sometimes gets jealous and has a little fit - but nothing I can't handle by now

As far as how Jerry handled the new addition, he was and still is smitten with Lulu. I think they both benefit from seeing another bird. Despite Lulu not liking Jerry, she still wants to be in the same room with him.

[Vega]

Gypsy seemed a little peeved when I first brought Harvey home. She acted out on it. I don't think it was due to the added attention on him (she isn't much for being held or cuddled so our r/s stayed pretty much the same) I think it was due to his noise level!

However having Harvey, and knowing how bonded he is to me, I think bringing in a new addition would severely change r/s i have with him. He's a jealous birdie and even seeing me spend time with Gypsy--he goes NUTS.