Help with my tiel/conure getting along.

[Chico's Mom]

I bought a gcc Saturday at a supposedly reputable bird store. The people at the bird store told me they could live together. The bird store owner also told me that they have a number of customers who have conures and tiels living together without a problem, and I believed them.

I am having a bit of a problem at this time though, because my tiel is having a hard time sharing her space with the new resident. No fighting, but I am afraid that the conure will be stressed out because the tiel scolds her when she gets too close and I'm afraid she'll be living in a state of fear or stress.

The first day there was a little bit of screeching on the part of my tiel, but tonight it became more pronounced. I moved her to a smaller cage as a "time out" to see if separation would help. Yes, it's quieter now, but i don't want to sentence my tiel to the small cage, so I'm going to put her back in the cage with the conure. It's dark out now, so maybe they'll settle down.

Does anybody have any experience with tiels and green cheeks together?
This green cheek is so sweet, I don't want anything to ruin her. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Sue

[DarwinTheSun]

You need to keep them seperate, your tiel is defending her area, and rightly so! It is her space and you just stuck a new guy in there. I am assuming you did not quarantine your new bird?

I can't believe they told you that you could house them together! That is just very bad information. Even if they were bonded together (which they dont even know eachother), GCCs are much more agressive birds than tiels. In general, it is not a good idea to house different species together, unless they have similar temprements and are bonded.

[jenseits]

I've got to agree. I'm sure there are plenty of GCCs and 'tiels who get along together just fine in the same household, but I can't imagine putting two birds who are complete strangers to each other together in the same cage. I'd think that would end up causing major psychological/behavioral issues, in addition to the physical harm they might do to each other.

Also, when you get a new cage, please let your 'tiel keep the one she's already comfortable with. I think removing the tiel from her own cage and putting her in a smaller one after introducing the interloper probably exacerbated the problem with territorialism.

Since she's the first bird in your household, I think she should get "alpha privileges." Make sure she gets attention, treats, etc first before you divert your attention to the new bird (each time you spend time with them) - I've read that helps with the jealousy a bit.

[Ginich]

Originally Posted by Chico's Mom

I bought a gcc Saturday at a supposedly reputable bird store. The people at the bird store told me they could live together.

I am having a bit of a problem at this time though, because my tiel is having a hard time sharing her space with the new resident.

The first day there was a little bit of screeching on the part of my tiel, but tonight it became more pronounced. I moved her to a smaller cage as a "time out" to see if separation would help.

Does anybody have any experience with tiels and green cheeks together?

This green cheek is so sweet, I don't want anything to ruin her. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Sue

Sue, I have a GCC and 3 tiels. I agree with what has already been said. Separate cages. Let the tiel keep her cage. The GCC can do serious damage to a tiel, if they get into it. My tiels would like to be friendly with my GCC. My GCC acts like she would like to be friendly with the tiels. I have have them outside on the porch together-with supervision.

[Chico's Mom]

Thank you all for your replies. I plan on buying another cage today after I get off work, and my tiel will definitely keep her old cage. I do give her alpha priveleges....she lives on my shoulder, and gets major attention.

I am really upset at these people for misleading me.

Both birdies go to the vet next week.

[Syaoransbear]

This is the first day of meeting each other!

It completely depends on the birds. They probably could get along eventually.

[Chico's Mom]

I'm hoping. That's a very cute picture! My tiel is a cinnamon pied...looks kinda like yours.

[LunaRio]

My conure is the one I'm worried about. My tiel is fine, but the conure (which is the newer bird) is the one that seems to be jealous and gets mad if she has to share body space. I hope it's something she'll grow out of.

[huntress]

They could get along but I cannot believe the pet store ppl. Well yes I can....THEY are the MORONs for telling you to just go ahead and take him home and put him in there. First off they should have told you about QT time, at least 30 days but then they are probably 100% sure their birds dont carry anything? BAHH!! Anyhow, good Luck with your new guy, GCCs are fun little birds but separate them for now - its too late for QT at this point but if you want them to become friends you can put the cages side by side and let them have time together on a neutral play area.

[Chico's Mom]

A small bit of progress being made...today was the first day that I was able to have both birds out of their cages at the same time without too much fussing on behalf of the tiel. They even shared shoulders, without trying to bite each other. I had them both out for about 2 hours, with me, sometimes on me and sometimes on their playtoy next to where I sit. Hopefully this is a good sign. Their cages are next to each other.