Should I get my bird a friend?

[funkypotatothings]

Hey, I'm going to be getting a macaw soon (a yellow collar to be precise) and I was wondering should I get my bird a companion? If yes should I get another macaw or would it matter? I go to school from 8am to 4pm so I don't want our macaw to get bored or lonely.

[funkypotatothings]

Wait no I leave for school at 8:30am. I was thinking I could eat breakfast with our parrot and then me and the parrot could walk my little sister to the bus stop (she leaves at 8)

[huntress]

When I got my first Bird (after years of no birds) I got my cockatoo and went out in a few weeks and got another small bird and never regret it for a moment. Then the potatoe chip theory came into play and being in the pet industry to begin with I became a breeder and rescue,lol. BUt that said I think having at least one other bird in the house is good for both of them. Vocal communication and "bird" company is great for birds who have to be alone for long periods. Even though most of my pets cannot get along physically I know they communicate and benefit from each others company. The second bird doesnt have to be an expensive bird by any means either. I was going for a Cockatiel from a breeder and ended up with a Green Cheek conure . Well... you see what has happened

[Halo]

Just beware!! Fids are addictive! LOL

We started out with a male goffin who was given to us because the lady that had him got him as a rescue when she got divorced and she left her U2 with her son because of the bond they shared. A while later, she saw the U2 listed for sale on CL and immediately went to get him. The goffin then decided that he was going to stay in his cage and that he didn't want their attention. Now that he is here, I cannot get away from him! LOL He even follows me into the bathroom. She was so happy with the change in him, word got out, and now we keep getting asked to take in more birdies. And then of course there is soft hearted me who cries when I see birds on CL without toys and who desperately need a new situation. We now have six and have been asked to take in three more after labor day (B&G Macaw, Quaker, and Mexican Red Head Amazon) because the person is moving and can no longer care for them.

And somehow I lucked out because they all get along and don't mind eachother at all!

[loyallyroyal]

Well first you need to make sure you can handle the time and care of the first bird and then can you handle 2 birds and the time and care they both need?

[seth loves parrots]

hi i think he will be fine but it is always good to get a freind but he has to also be self dependant how old are you?

[mmr]

I would hold off till youg ot used to your new bord and vice versa. You two need time to get aclimated. Then go from there.

[Tom Lawless]

I had a Hahn's Macaw for about five months when I got my African Grey. I hoped they would be friends but they tolerate each other being in the same room at best. The Macaw was especially unhappy to give up his lone status in his happy home. That having been said, my avian vet said it is still good for them even if they don't like each other because being flock animals having another bird around is a good thing. I'm not sure Davey the Hahns would agree. I would proceed with caution. I don't regret getting Bing but I am finding it hard to give both the attention I want to and the increase in cleaning is exponential.

[drheather]

Listen to Tom. Unless the birds have been socialized together prior to you getting them you can't guarantee that they'll get along- and giving the birds the individual care and attention that they need takes a whole evening for me, just for one large bird! If they don't get along then you'll have to split that time and it is very, very time consuming. Especially if you have homework or chores or friends that you wanna keep up with.

Oh yeah and the cleanup...don't get me started on how long it takes to clean up after one large bird.

One last thing- you ARE aware of how much they cost, right? I'm assuming that you're purchasing from a store since it seems that two would be readily available if you wanted two? And with two you need a bigger (more expensive) cage, twice the (expensive) avian vet bills, twice the food, twice the produce...Just a thought!

[Xen]

I had a GCC, Poppy that escaped earlier this year. I got a sun conure, Lily in the hopes that they would be friends... but Poppy hated her. She'd have nothing at all to do with Lily.

When Poppy escaped, I felt that Lily needed a friend as although she wasn't accepted by Poppy... she did seem to want to be friends. So I got my little hahns macaw, Mimi and they're the best of friends. Lily wants to feed and preen Mimi non stop, sometimes to the point that Mimi waddles over to me mumbling her complaints about her new beauty regime.

A few weeks ago I got a lovebird, Pippi after seeing her alone in a pet shop. Lily thinks she's dinner and will not allow Mimi to interact with the new food.

Really is down to the individual bird.