Cockatiel Scared of Parakeet

[fredahu17]

I recently got a brand new untamed parakeet, thinking that she would play with my cockatiel. I separated them apart at first but then our parakeet escaped! So we had to put her with our cockatiel. The parakeet tried to follow and copy whatever my cockatiel did, since she was still young, but my cockatiel would peck and run away. I know I should give this time but my parakeet will only eat when my cockatiel eats and when he tries, she gets shooed away. What should I do?

[christie99]

Put them back in seperate cages. Obviously they are not comfortable with each other and one will probably end up hurt. Why didn't you quarantine the new one?

[fredahu17]

If I put her back into her old cage she'll refuse to eat ANYTHING and she'll escape again. She finally started eating a little after watching my cockatiel eat. She's used to eating with a lot of birds.

[christie99]

Put the cages next to each other, and use something to lock the cage doors. Tiels and budgies don't normally mix well. Budgies are too hyperactive for the calm tiels.

[fredahu17]

I'll see how it goes tomorrow (they're asleep now) ;). They're getting a little better, but I might still consider it.

[Akara Crystal]

I had a problem when my friend's cockatiel was scared of my cockatiel. Is that normal?

[HandaBear]

mine are like that too, but I had the budgie first and the cockatiel second.

I have only had the cockatiel for a few days, so I know it will take time to tell if they will ever get along.

You should hand train your budgie first. It will be easier if both birds are used to people and you can take them out of their cages or let them out because they are ok with it.

So here is the info I found out when I got my birds

take them out at the same time.
Keep the cages next to each other, which you are doing so good.
put them to bed at the same time (cover their cages at night)
wake them up at the same time (uncover their cages in the morning)

[christie99]

Originally Posted by Akara Crystal

I had a problem when my friend's cockatiel was scared of my cockatiel. Is that normal?

Completely normal. Strange birds are usually met with wariness. Never just throw two birds together, they may fight and even kill each other.

Always quarantine, then SLOWLY introduce the birds and allow them to get used to each other.

[Akara Crystal]

Originally Posted by christie99

Completely normal. Strange birds are usually met with wariness. Never just throw two birds together, they may fight and even kill each other.

Always quarantine, then SLOWLY introduce the birds and allow them to get used to each other.

It didn't happened when I got my male a female. He was very sweet to her the first time he saw her.

[fredahu17]

Luckily, they getting along very well! They even preen each other! I love watching them. Thank you for the helpful tips!