?s About Getting Another Bird

[Haru]

Hi Everyone. I have a question about green cheek conures. I have had my own for a little over a year now and even though he seems very happy... I can't help but think he would like to have another bird around.

I have a 32 x 21 x 35 cage and another smaller cage. Would it be acceptable for two males to live in the same space? Or should they be kept separate? And if it were a female and male, would they be alright in the same cage?

I want to get him a friend, but I don't want to make him feel crowded or uncomfortable. He hasn't really been around other birds since I have had him. (I got him when he was 4 months old -- or so they said... but his leg band says differently)

I was thinking maybe I could start out with them in separate cages and then perhaps move the other bird slowly into his enclosure (but still separate them at night?). And as for having two males together... I just don't know?

Would it be best to get a different species... a lovebird or sun perhaps?

Thanks for any information you can give

[Xen]

Birds can live in the same cage no matter what sex. However, your bird and the new bird don't know each other. There is no guarantee that they'll even get on... whatever the sex. So seperate cages I would say is a must, especially since it's reccomended to keep them in seperate rooms with no contact for a month/6 weeks.

I've got a sun and did have a GCC until she escaped, they were not friends at all. I've seen suns and GCC's living just fine together though... just saying that a different species or different/same sex makes no difference to them becoming friends or not.
Infact, same sexes would probably be easier if you didn't want any breeding to happen.

[Haru]

Thank you, Xen! I've realized that he may not accept a new bird, but I think it may be worth a try. I will make sure that they have separate cages. And I'm aware of the quarantine time =] It won't be getting another bird for some time now (if at all).

I just wanted to be sure about the gender. If I get another bird, I want them to have the optimum chance for friendship. If it turned out that gender was a trigger for aggression, then I wanted to be sure I avoided it.

I've heard stories about birds getting jealous of newcomers, so I am a little worried about the whole thing in general. It could turn out wonderful.. or disasterous.

Again, Thank you!!

[Xen]

Just have to have patience and persist without forcing it.

My GCC was here before the sun and she was deffo the jealous one. They could be out together but if Lily went too close or somewhere Poppy decided she wasn't allowed then Poppy would snap at her. Just keep a close eye and be there when they're out together.

It hasn't stopped me from trying again. I've got a hahns coming to join us in 6-8 weeks time. I think Lily will be more likely to accept a friend than Poppy was... but if she doesn't then they'll still have great lives seperate.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that your birds become great friends if/when you get one. I'm sure they will!