need advice! mbs strikes again

[kimtoo]

I need some quick advice...I have an 18 month old female B&G that I am sooo in love with. We have awonderful bond and I am in awe. I have an opportunity to aquire a 2 1/2 year old male B&G that is in need of rehoming. I do not want to lose my bond with Mila, will bringing in a male necessarily change my relationship with her? Can I keep 2 B&G's of the opposite sex and reasonably expect them to remain bonded to me? Or will they bond to each other? If they bond to each other, what does that mean to my relationship with them??

Anyone out there with opposite sex macaws that share their experiences?? I will need to act fairly quickly so I hope some of you can take a minute to give an opinion or share your experience!

[Machelle]

I only have 1 macaw but from what I understand, as long as you keep them in separate cages, you should be fine. They shouldn't really be in the same cage anyway unless you plan to mate them. There's no guarantee that the birds will bond or even get along. Just because they are the opposite sex doesn't mean that they will bond. I think as long as you keep them in separate cages and spend time with each of them separately, there shouldn't be a problem.

[kimtoo]

Thanks Machelle. That is what I was hoping to hear . I have no interest in breeding them and would definitely house them in separate cages but it would be nice if they became "friends"!
I have some serious thinking to do about this .

[Machelle]

you are welcome. I spend time with my guys separately and they love me. But I have been a little afraid of letting them loose to see how they get along with each other. I will eventually. I honestly think you'll be fine and your birdie will probably enjoy the company when your gone. My zon and CAG talk to each other when I'm there. Of course, I cant understand what they are saying cuz its birdie talk, but I'm thinking if they yammer with me there they probably yammer with me gone. Let us know what you decide!! Macaws are just awesome!!

[The Outlaw]

I agree with Machelle. I have two pairs of BGs. None are caged together and all get time out together for at least 4 hours every day. So far, so good.

[kimtoo]

I think I am a goner.... I am going to see if I can set up a time to go meet this fid....I will keep you all posted!

[birdyland]

I have a GW Male, 21 months old, with me 6 months now.
Scarlet Female, 10 years old, with me 10 years.

While they do show some jealousy, I can hold both at the same time, they can touch, do "fight"(beaking, no injuries, knock on wood). Seperate sleeping cages, shared aviary several times weekly for several hours.

They get alone time with me as well as shared time with me. Both Bonded to me but act like jealous siblings. Ignore or egg eachother on, but when one is threatened (ie at the vet) the other gets extremely upset and protective of the threatened one. We'll see how/if that changes when my male reaches maturity.

It's possible to do. But there are no guarantees. No guarantees that they will ever like eachother or be able to be within 10 feet of one another, as well as no guarantee that they won't bond to eachother and leave you out. EVEN if housed seperately. You have to come to terms that the new will fall in love with the existing or vice versa while the other is bonded to you, creating a "love triangle". All you can do is do your best and HOPE it works out.

Working for me so far,.... like I said, we'll see what happens when the male reaches maturity.

[MiniMama]

My two cents (which I've posted before):
I think bringing two birds together is hit and miss. I had a male Hahns for 4 months, then brought home a 3 month female Illigers. The first month was testy. We have a webcam on the bird room, and one afternoon saw that the male got out of his cage and was running around all over Bella's cage (hehe). Then there was a few weeks of Bacio being dominant. Anyhow, they are now 'bonded', as in share a cage, preen each other, play, etc. However, they are both very bonded to me. Birds are so social, I can't imagine anything else. But, can you do a birdie meet before hand to see how it goes?

[kimtoo]

I brought Rain home last night. Mila and Rain "met" this morning from a distance. They were very interested in each other and have been calling back and forth a bit today. Rain is in a seperate room down the hall until I get him to my vet later this week and all bloodwork, etc. comes back. He is a sweet boy, I was suprised at how quickly he snuggled up in my arms for scritches. Anyway, I am not fussing with him too much today, I want to let him settle in a bit. He came with his own cage and toys so he has the comfort of familiar and favorite things. I am attachin two pics of Rain that his last parront sent to me. I will get some new pics of soon!

[kateBird]

LOL, mbs at its finest! beautiful bird. cant wait to see more pics!