Adding a bird?

[PetriTheGreenCheek]

Hey---

We're getting our first 'big bird,' an eclectus, in a month or so.

But both my husband and myself would like to add a cape parrot to the mix, sooner or later.

My question, is it better for an 'only bird' to get a sibling sooner or later?

[kali]

woah Cape parrot's are pretyy rare aren't they? how much will one of those set you back?

we got our birds only a few months apart and they are pretty friendly with each other.. they hang out together on the play stand and only bicker occasionally over food. but they aren't large parrots so can't do a lot of damage to each other even if they wanted to..

not all birds will be friends, no matter how young you get them and you may need to have separate out of cage time for them. so before getting another bird do you feel confident in having two parrots out and played with at least two hours each per day, for the next 40 or so years? that's the question i would ask myself first, especially for such a rare bird.

[kellywess]

There is a Cape Parrot baby for sale up the street for $1700.00. Its easier to introduce them when they are younger. We just brought home a Blue Crowned Conure (11 weeks old) and my Hahns Macaw who is about two is completely smitten. He loves her and wants to play with her all of the time. We have been introducing them slowly on neutral territory. So far so good a few squabbles nothing major. He wants to cuddle her (he tries to cover her with his wing, so cute hes half her size)... shes not really interested, but hes not giving up. It really depends on the birds however.

[kali]

yeah, u might be lucky, but then you might not ;)

[Ashling]

When I had one bird, he was an only child for a few months before number two came along. I guess younger birds are generally more impressionable, and able to adapt to new situations, so the earlier the better. You'll have to post pics of any newbies! :D

[Sashagirl]

Capes are interesting parrots but I have seen them on Old World Aviaries - Hand-fed baby parrots for less than $1700. Now as far as mixing a Cape with Eclectus I would do it with caution.I do have 7 Eclectus with different personalities and I don't mix them with my smaller to medium parrots.They do fine with my Greys and YNA though.And they didn't all grow up together.Just my 2cents.

Marcia

[PetriTheGreenCheek]

Great!

Thanks for the helpand advice! :)

[BigBird]

My ekkie hen is about 5 months old and she doesnt like other birds at all! she goes for the lorikeets with avengence. Ive spoilt her a bit,so I guess she doesnt like sharing. She gets mad at me too if she sees me handling the other birds. I put her in her cage for time out and tell her bad birds go to bed early! I hope she gets over it cause Im currently saving up for a male ekkie, she better like him!