Multiple Bird Homes

[TonyM]

I've been monitoring my local Craigslist's pet section with hopes of finding a bigger cage for Zuri (my 6 year old Scarlet Macaw). The other day, a young man posted an ad on there saying that he had a four year old, DNA tested male, African Grey that he wanted to rehome.

He stated that the recently got the bird and that it talks quite a bit, but that he felt like he had wasted his money because the bird, according to him, only liked women. He said in the ad that the bird would step up for him, but liked women more.

I e-mailed the poster with some questions. His responses were very short. He just seems very impatient to me in general. His responses, however, did verify that this was his first bird and that he hasn't had the bird for long (two weeks). He also said that he lives with his mom and that the bird has bonded more with the mom than with him and that seems to be the primary source of his frustration. (This makes me wonder if gender is the true issue or if the mom pays more attention to the bird.)

I encouraged him to try to give the bird more time, attention, and love. I told him that if he needed help or advice, he could contact me. I also gave him some websites (including this one) that he could turn to for help.

Despite my offer and encouragement, he still seems to want to get rid of the bird. As much as I hate to see a bird rehomed twice in less than a month, perhaps it may be for the best in this case.

He wants someone to pay him what he paid to get the bird. I have no intention of paying the full amount, but I'm considering offering to take the bird for him. Unfortunately, he seems more interested in recovering his costs than getting the bird into a good home.

This all brings me to my question and the point of my post... Is it a good idea to introduce another bird into the house at this point? What are the chances of Zuri and this African Grey getting along? What are the chances of them fighting? Any tips on introducing a new bird into the mix?

Also, I know that many of you have taken in birds before. In a case like this, would you offer full asking price? Try to talk him down? Offer to take the bird, but not pay him? I'd love to have an African Grey, but I'm more concerned about the bird getting a good home than anything.

[Alan]

Well for my opinion on the gender thing. I don't think that birds can tell gender. I think what they look at is the mannerisms of a certain gender and not the gender it's self. of course he is going to recoup the cost of the bird cause to him it's prolly just property. Greys are choosy birds with who they bond too. Mine ain't bonded to me but she's happy. I would offer to take the bird. Unfortunately i don't think he will get back what he paid for the bird or you nver know he might. Just depends.

I have 12 birds. Just added too. You will have time for them to get used to hearing another bird in the house since the bird will be in Q anyway once you get it home.

[Monica]

Is it a good idea to introduce another bird into the house at this point?
Macaws *can* be sensitive to the dust of african greys, cockatoos, and cockatiels. Is it a good idea? Are you prepared for another bird? Do you have the room? The space? The money? This may be something only you can answer.

What are the chances of Zuri and this African Grey getting along?
There's no telling. They could like eachother, they could hate eachother, they could ignore eachother, or perhaps one will like the other but the feelings are not mutual. You are asking for personal information on animals that even if we knew them we couldn't tell you what the results would be.

What are the chances of them fighting?
See above.

Any tips on introducing a new bird into the mix?
Your best bet is to first quarantine the grey, then once out of quarantine, allow the two species to hang out within neutral territory, away from the cages. Put the cages in the same room but not right next to each other so that the birds can become accustomed to each other.

Also, I know that many of you have taken in birds before. In a case like this, would you offer full asking price? Try to talk him down? Offer to take the bird, but not pay him?
That is all up to you. Also being able to see the condition of the bird would help. Did he buy the african grey second hand, or from a pet-store with all new supplies?

[angelicarboreals]

Well, in my opinion I would not really focus on the aspect of the grey and your macaw getting along- actually I would advise against it since you may be dealing with jealousy issues in the beginning if your Zuri has always been an only bird. At any rate, a macaw is much larger than a grey, and I would worry that injury could result. The bigger question is whether or not you really have the time, space, etc. to devote to another bird.

I feel for the grey, if the gentleman has only had the bird two weeks, then that is not long enough at all for him to establish any kind of bond with anyone in the house. I tend to think, and have read, that just like cats parrots will gravitate towards the person in the home that is putting the least amount of pressure on them to interact. In other words, the man is wanting his grey to like him so much that the grey is more apt to let the woman hold and interact with him because the mother is not pressuring the bird to do so.

However, if the man is that easily convinced to give up the bird, then maybe it would be best for him to rehome the grey. If he is not dedicated to the grey from the very beginning, it sounds like it may get worse.

I agree that at this point it sounds like the man is just wanting to recoup his initial investment, which may be hard to do. As Monica said, it is really up to you as to how much you want to offer him and how much you are willing to pay. If he will come down on the price, great. If not, you have to decide for yourself if you are willing to pay the full asking price.

Everyone who mentioned quarantine gave you solid advice should you decide to bring him home. Please, please, please quarantine him away from your scarlet when you first bring him home, and make sure you get him to an avian certified vet to nix the chance that he has anything that can be passed on to your macaw.

[Newticus]

I've never had a problem bringing home a new parrot. I don't expect my parrots to be friends. Over time some of them have preferences, and others don't get along with anyone. So I just rotate their times out. Lucas (myers parrot) comes out alone. Chester (DYH), Mikey (MRH) and Jacob (Quaker) all come out together. Parker (Lovebird) comes out alone. Audrey and Amos (cockatiels) can come out any time cause they have their own play stand.

Melanie