Bonded Conures, Should I Separate Them?

[Grayson]

I have a couple of green cheek conures who have been bonded ever since we got them from the pet store. My question is, should I separate them? At least for training? The reason I ask here is because on my Google research, I find lots of mixed feelings. So, If there is anyone who can help, or even better, someone who had almost the same problem I have. Thank You.

[Pajarita]

I would never, ever consider separating a bonded pair. It's cruel.

[Grayson]

I would never, ever consider separating a bonded pair. It's cruel.

I have separated them, but they are both in the same room. They seem to be fine, no birdie depression or anything. But this is why I was wondering this. People have said that it is cruel, but others say that the birds won't bond to you if they can just run to their buddy for comfort.

[Pajarita]

Well, as with everything else when it comes to pet animals, there are two ways of approaching it, one way is to put the animal's wellbeing and happiness first and the other is to put your convenience first. I love my animals so I want them to be happy and, if that means a bit of an inconvenience to me, it's fine with me. It's the difference between loving animals and merely enjoying them.

As to birdie depression, there is no way on this green earth that you can determine whether they are suffering emotionally or not from the way they act but bonded pairs love each other dearly and nature meant for them to be together all their lives so I seriously doubt yours are happy right now. Let's hope they get over it and don't blame you for it...

[Cherman23]

I would not separate a bonded pair either. When getting a second bird we all risk the possibility of them bonding more with each other than with us. Think about your reason for getting two. If you got two so that they would be company for each other then be happy that they bonded and there is no aggression. In my opinion, you should leave the bonded pair together and take one at a time to a different room for training sessions. With time and patience, you can still get good results. Good Luck
Charley Romeo

[Grayson]

I would not separate a bonded pair either. When getting a second bird we all risk the possibility of them bonding more with each other than with us. Think about your reason for getting two. If you got two so that they would be company for each other then be happy that they bonded and there is no aggression. In my opinion, you should leave the bonded pair together and take one at a time to a different room for training sessions. With time and patience, you can still get good results. Good Luck
Charley Romeo

The reason we got two birds was that they both were in the same box at the pet store. They were affordable, so we got both. My mother thinks that getting two birds was a mistake, but it seems to be working out just fine. I'll put them back together to see how it goes. Thank You.

[Grayson]

Well, as with everything else when it comes to pet animals, there are two ways of approaching it, one way is to put the animal's wellbeing and happiness first and the other is to put your convenience first. I love my animals so I want them to be happy and, if that means a bit of an inconvenience to me, it's fine with me. It's the difference between loving animals and merely enjoying them.

As to birdie depression, there is no way on this green earth that you can determine whether they are suffering emotionally or not from the way they act but bonded pairs love each other dearly and nature meant for them to be together all their lives so I seriously doubt yours are happy right now. Let's hope they get over it and don't blame you for it...

I've decided to put them back together. Another person on this post said to take them out individually to another room for training sessions. That seems like a good thing to do, though it might be a little difficult to get them out of their cage. Where one goes, so does the other.

[Pajarita]

EXACTLY! And why do you think they want to be together all the time? I'll tell you why: because they are bonded to each other and they are supposed to be together all the time.

[cml]

EXACTLY! And why do you think they want to be together all the time? I'll tell you why: because they are bonded to each other and they are supposed to be together all the time.

I disagree. I would definetely still house them together, let them be out together etc, but for training its much better to do it one on one. That way you can focus on training that particular bird and work on your relationship and the bird's behaviour.

Grayson, its great that you put them back together. I would suggest you try to work out a way to get one out at the time for training, that will increase your chances of successfully taming them. Pajarita does not train her birds and let them roam free in a parrot room (which is great), but that is not feasable if you dont have a dedicated space for the bird. Training is essential for parrot and human interaction. Also, training doesnt mean trick training, you can just train handling etc if you want.

I would suggest that you start here:
www.trainedparrot.com/taming

[Pajarita]

CML, in my personal experience, that would work with other species but when GCCs bond, they BOND! And, while you can work on training them separately, once they are bonded, the male will, most likely, not respond at all and bite and try to get back to the female all the time. The female will respond but only if in another room and training a bird to step up to get her to do it only when the male is not present is not something you can really use for practical uses... I mean, you can use it when you go to the vet or something like that but even that is not really necessary because even bitey birds behave when they are in an unfamiliar (which to them means dangerous) place. GCCs are very special little birds in their behaviors... I don't know of any other species that is similar to them.