Why am i being so stupid!

[Scotston]

Dilemma;

Let me explain the background info..

I used to have a Tiel, was worried that he would get lonely with everyone being out all day, so about 6 months later, got another tiel. They got on, but my first tiel, April, was more involved with my where as the female Tiel, May wasnt really into being handled much, so she looked quite bored and lonely. Long story short we bought a Budgie which, as we hoped, bonded with May and they were both happy together and April was happy with me.

May died several years later - budgie was depressed. April was still my "main bird" for lack of better word. April and the budgie, Bluie got on well for several more years until i lost April in this year after 13 years together. During this time my uncle and i shared a Harris Hawk. This never even felt like a problem because our Hawk wasnt in the house with the others etc..

I took some time and found another bird as Bluie was once again depressed and i just wanted a bird to be close with again, so Leo, my green cheek cinnamon conure came onto the scene


Me and Leo are bonding, im coming to terms with that he is a bit nippy and can do the "cant hear you, your not there" thing very well - im just not used to having a baby around again, but im trying to tell myself that theres nothing wrong with me as an owner, its quite natural to have bonding worries.. but of course, im over thinking it too much

Bluie a few days ago had to be put to sleep, so now Leo is on his own, and although can amuse himself well, is lonely and keeps calling for Bluie

So my plan now is to buy some more bird company that can help him.


My dilemma is, im terrified of if i got another bird, i'd upset Leo by 'sharing' my time with another, i.e another conure and the fact that i have horses i wont always be around for hours and hours to play with both of them.

I think im scared of the old senario repeating its self where the companion gets lonely, or they both want my attention and it causes problems

So i keep thinking, well just get two budgies to keep themselves happy and keep Leo company [would be seperate all the time] and there should be no problem, then maybe in the future see about getting another conure when me and Leo are more bonded and/or if he should need it, or just be content with the budgies. Not get something of a similar size because id then feel that it would be 'competition' for Leo for my affection and surely a bird of a similar size would want that, and i want Leo to bond with me..

I see so many people on here with lots of different birds, and it isnt a problem.. i want to be like that, but i just dont want to upset them, make them feel left out or not loved or.. something..

I just dont know why im being like this! Im scared im doing everything wrong with Leo, im worried he hates me because he nips [even though i know fully well he is just a 7 month baby] and im worried he's never going to bond with me, that ive made a big mistake and im going to make him miserable for the rest of his life!


Im not sure what im expecting from this post, i know im overthinking things totally... im sorry this is so long.. i guess im just looking for any insight at all... if anyone has felt the same thing.. anything?

[Franciscus]

I feel birds are happier with other birds around, unless you can be there all day. I think getting a pair of budgies is not a bad idea.

[MissV]

Aw, don't be so worried.....gcc's are nippy. You just have to work with them. That doesn't mean they don't like you! My dusky headed conure was a rescue from a crap pet store and she can still get a bit nippy...but she calls for me and clearly loves the attention I give her. Nipping is not neccessarily a sign of dislike or fear!

I do believe that having another bird/birds is good for any parrot, because they're social and at the end of the day, it's better tohave someone around that understands them--even if they don't form an obvious "bond" with eachother.



My worry here is that you keep having to replace companions because you aren't getting birds with longer life-expectancies...what will you do if one of the budgies pass away? Replace it with another?

I don't know...it feels like some sort of cycle...

Perhaps you could take a bit more time and solidify the bond with your gcc and then introduce another like-sized conure. Keep them in separate cages and just make sure that you first start by giving equal attention, but whatever you do, do it for the original bird FIRST. That's very important.

I have a Sun that I'd raised for 3 years when I introduced my dusky...and she's still not best friends with her, but I've recently been able to put them in a divided cage and she is obviously benefitting from the interaction and company. I did this method with them and Luca (the sun) never showed any negative reaction towards me or others for it. It WAS slow going with her attentions towards the dusky, though.

[Scotston]

Thats exactly it, i keep wondering if i am being too selfish and should do what he wants, even if it means im stuck with a whole heap of worries and concerns

Leo was more the new 'main' bird, so really i've only bought in 2 companions which was May and Bluie which was over 9 years ago.
That was exactly my thinking too.. i dont want to keep having to replace them as then i would feel like i was replacing them!

Im just worried i wouldnt have enough time for another similar sized bird who would want the same amount of attention as Leo does - although i am around more at the moment, i wont always be.. its saddening to hear him still calling, so i dont know if i should leave it or not

Its all very confusing and i feel like theres no clear option.. get a companion conure and worry that i wont be doing it any good for a long long time [which wouldnt be fair on it] or budgies with a shorter life..


Thankyou so much, lots of food for thought! xx

[shellbeme]

Scotston, do you want another bird? I would not get one unless you want one. I think the budgies was a great idea-if you enjoy having them. There should never have to be a lesser bird-not that I'm saying you thought any less of any of the ones you had, that's not what I mean. If you will love it, and you want it, go for it. Right now, though, I think you might want to take some more time with just the two of you.

[Scotston]

I think you are right shellbeme.. Id love some budgies for my own passion as well as for Leo, but although im trying to tell myself that i should get another Conure for Leo, im not 100% if i really want one myself..

I guess it all stems back from being used to 1 bird being the main one and not several, i think i need to learn to cope better from losing April before i ever get something more than a budgie, if that makes any sense..

Thankyou guys, lots to think about but i think i will give it a while xx

[LovelySydney]

Scotson - BREATHE!! Everything will work out. It is normal to feel this way about the bonding and I wouldn't call you a real bird owner if you didn't! I know that for me my pets, birds included, are like my family and are just as important as anything else. When I had Oliver (parrotlet) by himself I always just had a hunch he wasn't happy alone and not happy enough with just me around. When Emi came into our lives (budgie) I had no intention of them ever being friends. I planned on separate cages for life and adjusted as so. Fast forward to now and I cannot even separate the two, they are bonded and completely in love. They have transfered to one cage, Oliver's, and are so happy together. At first I didn't believe birds needed other bird companions but with myself working 40 hours a week and some night classes, and my bf in and out, I know its only fair that they aren't sitting home alone and trying to amuse themselves. Im glad O & Emi are BFF's and now Neko, my painted conure velcro baby, might have a friend soon enough.



I think a great idea would be bringing another GCC in. Same species, most likely to get along and pretty equal lifespan (this takes out the "cycle" of bringing more birds into the home). They will be able to entertain each other and take the pressure of you to provide constant entertainment. Trust me, I have a hard enough time just making Neko happy - I cant imagine not having bird companions around for them, it just would be overwhelming.


I know you will make the right decision for your little ones - keep asking questions, keep thinking about it and going over the pros and cons. If you have any other questions, dont hesitate to ask - we all worry over our birds social needs and if they are getting enough attention and brain stimulation. This is normal!!