What can room with a Senegal?

[Jong81]

Hey .... this is just a general question, but what birds are compatible for rooming with a Senegal in case I want to get a new friend for my parrot (and me :-)? I was thinking of a Quaker, or Lovebird ... something similar, but not as expensive. I like economic diversity ... lol. Or can senegals only be placed with other Senegals? Also, if I do have them together, what is an acceptable cage size? I currently have a 22X18X35" for my Sennie - obviously I would need bigger, no?

Thanks!

[Monica]

A quaker, or similar sized conure, or another species of parrot that is of the same size might do well, however lovebirds are a no-no with any other species other than themselves... The new bird would need to be quarantined for atleast 30 days minimum, and so therefore would need it's own cage... With that said, there is no guarantee that a sennie and any other bird might do well together... Heck, I had to rehome a cockatiel I had for 6 months because Noel didn't like him, and he wanted to be with Casey. Casey, my own cockatiel, lives with Noel, and is her best buddy. Besides that, I wasn't looking to add another cockatiel so soon to the flock as I hadn't had any plans on doing so, but I HAD to get him out of his last home... to say the least, he's quite happy now where he is!

If you are looking to house two similar sized birds together in one cage though, IF they end up getting along, and IF they decide that they would like to share a cage, and only IF they still interact with you and you are able to take them out of the cage without a problem, you'd probably need a cage that is about twice that size...

[Jong81]

Thanks Monica - looks like Jake is on his own until I get an apartment. That just means he'll have to keep bugging me for attention! Lol.

[Adi]

I agree with all of Monica's IF's :) I would also like to add that you would most likely need a second cage anyway, in case they wouldn't get along and also for a proper quarantine.

Why not go with another Poicephalus? Like a Meyers , Brown head, or a Red-bellied? I love the Meyers, so suttle but with a burst of bright yellow and blue every now and then! It's a way to get some more diversity but keep the sizes and attitudes matched up pretty well.

[Jong81]

It was just a thought. I wanted to do it now, rather than later, because should I go to grad school and have my own apt., I won't be home as much, except for weekends and would prefer Jake have someone to snuggle with, but it seems too complicated at this point to do. Either way, you've all given me info to start for the future, so thanks!

[Alika]

My sennie doesn't get along with other animals at all. He's tried to kill both of my other birds, my iguana, and two of my friends' dogs. I don't know if this is a senegal thing, an over-bonding thing, or a 'this bird has lived with people only for too long' thing, but I would never get him a cagemate.

If you get another bird, get one for yourself, not for Jake. Chances are, he wouldn't appreciate it, anyway. Your best best would be a larger bird that could hold it's own but is more or less mellow, or a same-sized bird with a same-sized beak. They might not get along, but if Jake decided to go to town on your new bird, the new bird's chances of suriving it are better that way.

Sorry if that's not the best advice... it's all I got.

[Joel]

Jong81........I was gonna agree with Adi (Alika & Monica also have made good suggestions) and suggest another Poi as my first choice.....There are many other species of birds that could get along with yours in a much bigger cage or flight cage. The bigger (longer) the better IME......Best however to put them both into new housing at the same time. I also like my birds (as you do) to have another bird for company.

Here is an example: I have a nasty male Jardine living with a feisty male Grey Cheek Brotogeris in a 7ft. long x 3ft. deep x 3-4ft. tall outdoor aviary/flight......What characters they are...... lol....

[Jong81]

Lol! Jake seems to love other birds. When I take him to pet stores, he loves looking at them and mumbling to them, however, oftentimes the other bird will snap at him. He was raised in a place that kept all the birds together on stands out in the open. The few times I went in there, the Senegals were with the Caiques and they were getting along splendidly. Jake has been raised with all different birds and if I was going to do it, I feel it would have to be soon - he might lose that, no?

[parrotlover2006]

I'ld be careful of housing with other birds. But if he loves other birds I guess another poi would be good. You said he loves the pet store birds, maybe he only loves them when he isn't living in the same cage as them? I was thinking of housing a goffins with my sennie, but it turned out the goffin was afraid of other birds and Cheekie isn't too good with other birds, he almost bit Figaro once

[jimpierce7]

Senegals don't play well with others.......not including their human!