NEED ADVICE!! Looking at getting 2nd fid!

[nels2985]

Hello all!

I am owned by an 8 month old sun conure named Huey and I was thinking about getting a companion bird for him (not that I would complain having more birds around!!). My thought were on a 'tiel or a budgie...something small, when I ran across a 7 year old female umbrella cockatoo at the local rescue shelter. She's there because her owners died and the family didn't want her. (so no major trauma, just grief upon losing her humans). I am going up to meet 'Kelly' on Saturday, but the info that I have gotten on her is that she is very sweet, seems to get along well with the other birds in the aviary, a big talker, loves to cuddle but also content to play by herself. They say the only bad habit she has is that some of the feathers have been plucked on her chest. She has stopped doing this and they believe it may be due to the grieving process...but they say the pin feathers are coming in nicely.

So here are my questions...is it wise to be bringing such a large bird in with my baby sunnie? (They have separate cages of course) Are there any dangers that I need to be aware of? What kinds of things should I be looking for in the tempermant of the 'too when I go to visit? If I do end up bringing her home, is there anything that I need to be wary of or any precautions I need to take? And of course, anything else that anyone would be able to tell me would be so greatly appreciated!!

Thanks so much for your time!!

Angela (Huey's mom)

[kali]

i think you should do it. but sun's can be very jealous and i know already that i can't get another bird to bond with me as well while i have mine because he's already so jealous of me. so that would be something to think about. i'd be VERY careful introducing them as well, as the cocky could tear your little bird to shreds. i would take your sun into the shelter and introduce them there, so your out of his territory. then if they go ok, bring kelly home.

[kali]

but you do need to remember, cocky's live a LONG time. much longer than your sun.

i personally don't think people should be able to have them as pets, as most of the time people die before their birds do. it's like having a child that never leaves home :) but that said, i had a sulpher-crested and loved him so much i cried for weeks when i had to give him away.

anyway don't know if that helps but it's my 2c

[4HAND]

If your priority is finding a bird your sun can interact with,I would keep looking for a bird of similar size.Another conure,a poicephalus,a quaker any of these would be a safer playmate than a cockatoo.
Tena

[Heaven]

Please remember also, Cockatoos are powder birds. A good filter will be needed and that still is not good enough in some cases. Conures are not powder birds and the dust can be harmful, especially for such small lungs.

I also agree that a smaller bird would be a better idea if you plan for them to interact. I know a lot of people find 'Toos to be soooo tempting but they are very difficult and demanding. Maybe research a bit if you haven't already.

Good luck to you.

[jenseits]

If your objective is to get a companion to your sun conure, and not to rescue a bird you've already done a ton of research on, don't get an umbrella cockatoo! They really are more like special needs children than you'd ever expect. Be honest with yourself, are you really ready to adopt a special needs child? There is a reason there are so many U2's and M2's in shelters... and it's a revolving door for them.

I think I'm on the record saying that cockatoos are not appropriate pets for 99.8% of the population.

But THANK YOU for looking at a shelter bird! I'd encourage you to see what other birds they have there who are looking for a loving forever home.

[Lori~D]

BEFORE you do it ....please go too All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com turn the volume up and read nad click on every single thing. If you can handle it then I say go for it! I love my Too!!