Second tiel, questions.

[Jannabellsmom]

I've decided to adopt a second tiel to be a sister and companion for my Jannabell. At the pet store today I saw a tiel who was playing very cutely. I liked the activity and asked about her ( I think female beause of a dark face but maybe I'm wrong?). The woman at the store told me the tiel is shy/skittish around hands. My current tiel, Jannabell is very hand tame. Do you think this situation would work? If they bond do you think Jannabell would be prefer to stay in the cage with the new tiel, or do you think Jannabells extroversion and comfort would be more likely to coax the other one to try new things? Or do you suggest I look for a tiel more like Jannabell in tameness level?

Have you ever seen a tiel pick up tameness from other tiels? Or do you work with each one individually? Or is it a combination...

I realize that an adoption is a commitment to the tiel whatever happens. However, the reason I made this decison is I want Jannabell to be happy.

(I currently have Jannabell in a double flight cage, so if they truly didn't get along I could split the cage in half. Upon first bringing the new one home I do have a smaller cage for the new tiel to have as a home and sanctuary. But I was hoping they'd hit it off eventually and share the large cage.)

[christie99]

Second birds can become tame easily. The one you see is probably a baby and will not molt into it's adult colors for several months, so you won't know what you have, male or female.

It is always best to quarantine for 30-60 days before introducing the new bird into the same room that your current baby lives in. This is to keep the new baby from giving something to Jannabelle and should not be skipped.

During that time, you can spend time hand taming and socializing the new bird.

There is the possibility that they will bond to each other, but as long as you continue to work with them both, you should be perfectly fine. :)

[Jannabellsmom]

Thanks for your reassurances. I feel better hearing that second birds tame easily.

[christie99]

Of course it depends on the individual bird, but I haven't had a problem yet!!!

[tielfan]

When it's time to introduce the tiels to each other, do it gradually and also do it in a neutral area so neither one will feel obligated to defend its territory. Meaning DON'T stick one in the other's cage!! After they've had some time to get acquainted you'll start getting an idea of whether they might get along in the same cage.

They will form a flock bond even if they don't want to share a cage. They might not want to be too close together but they also won't want to be too far apart!