What kind of bird(s)?

[Oviraptor]

Hello!

I will be moving into a new apartment soon as I have started working again (was out with an injury).

This is an 8 to 4:30 job, and my cockatiel Lucky will be left alone during this time. That being said, I would like to get another bird so he does not get lonely while I'm at work. My first thought was to buy or adopt another cockatiel, but I don't know how Lucky would behave with another around. I worry that he will bond with the new bird, and he will no longer be the friendly and tame bird he is.

I was considering maybe a couple of finches or a budgie. Or perhaps a quaker, a bourke's, or a scarlet chested parrot?

Or would it simply be best to get a tiel?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be very much appreciated! :)

[Lori~D]

A teil would be Luckys choice I'm sure. You don't have to cage them together for them to enjoy each others company. A scarlet or Bourk might just be ignored but it is possible. If they are caged separate you shouldn't lose your bond with Lucky. You might experience some jealousy at first. Ive seen Quakers and teils as buds before - I rescued a pair like that the teil was 23 and the Quaker was 18 and both had been free flighted their entire lives with one owner. There are a ton of tiels on Petfinders that NEED adopted....

[Courtzrocks]

It is best to go another tiel if you were to cage them together...budgies are too full on and finches will probably be ignored. Quaker...maybe...bourke might be on the wrong end if lucky doesnt like him but maybe a scarlet..not sure what they are like though? I have heard princess parrots can go ok with tiels but really the best for a tiel would be another tiel. Best to have them in seperate cages so they can have their own space but if you have to cage them together then a tiel would be best.

[JoT]

A word of warning re: quakers - noisy. Many will probably disagree, but my experience with them is that they are the ringleaders of noise. We had one for 4 years and she passed. She was not as loud as our conure but noisier and all day long. That made the other two want to join in and it would drive everyone crazy. Now that she is gone, most of the time you would hardly know we have birds. That said - they are also extremely intelligent,funny,and sweet(especially when they want something-they know how to manipulate). Smartest bird I ever knew! Very vocal - knew lots of words and used them very appropriately. Ours took the screws out of her cage door to get out then off the conures cage to get in because Bandit (our nandy conure) would only eat seed and the quaker got pellets. We miss her but it is definitely more peaceful. Its something to consider for an apartment.