New Senegal Questions

[Conure Mom]

Greetings everyone. I've had birds for quite a while now - I've been happily possessed by GCCs and cockatiels for several years now - but recently found out that I'm soon to be the captive of a Senegal as well. I'm really very excited about this as I've been wanting one for years. However, I DO have questions regarding how s/he will fit into my existing flock. The bird is unsexed but has been visually sexed by "someone" to be a male according to his bib. I'll find out his age at some point (I'm getting him from his original owners), but I don't know it right now - all I know is that he's an adult. What I DO know is that he used to get out of his cage a lot but his owners have gotten dogs and cats since they got him and now he doesn't get out much at all. Since he's been spending more time in his cage, he's starting biting everyone but his two favorite people. He's been a single bird all his life and has, "never been around another bird. Ever," according to his current owners. I understand that they tend to be one person birds and I'm not worried about the biting at all. I've been bitten by far worse and plan to avoid bites anyway - they hurt! However, knowing their propensity to have a dictator-type attitude, I'm wondering how to manage his integration into my happy, well adjusted, little flock. Just about everyone is flighted right now (he is too), and pretty much has the run of the house during the day when I'm home to watch them. I have a play place set up in the living room for them and they all hang out there eating, climbing, chewing, and swinging all day long. I'd like for that to eventually be the case with him, too, because otherwise, he'll be stuck in his cage in the bird room. So... that's about the whole of it. Those of you who've experienced something like this, what are your experiences? Do you have any suggestions? I appreciate everything everyone has to offer! Thank you!

[Michael]

Senegal will rip those GCCs and Cockatiels to shreds. Senegals are very territorial and aggressive birds. GCCs tend to be pretty bold and pushy and would probably approach the Senegal. But the Senegal can take on birds twice its size so a GCC is no match.

My advice is to rotate the birds to be out in shifts with the Senegal having its own out of cage time. Furthermore, the Senegal should never even be out in the same room as the other caged birds. Basically either the Senegal should be in the cage with all other parrots in a different room or the Senegal is out with all the other parrots caged in a different room. If the Senegal lands on someone's cage or the other way around, feet will be torn off. Also be extra careful to double lock ALL cage doors when the parrots are all put away.

I'm not making any of this up. This happens a lot.

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[Conure Mom]

I didn't expect that you'd make anything up. That's why I asked. Do you think that I could have a separate cage for him upstairs to keep him in while the others are out? Or should I keep him downstairs completely separate from the others?

[Michael]

The most important thing is that the Senegal not be in the same accessible area as other birds unless EVERYONE is caged. If the Senegal has the potential to land on the other birds' cages or they can land on the Senegal's cage, that is an accident waiting to happen. Kili still takes any opportunity to go land on Truman's cage and torment him through the bars (but they are of the same genus and a closer size match for each other).

Honestly, I think keeping the Senegal entirely separate from the other parrots is actually best. They seem to hate other birds and really prefer to just keep things to themselves. I think other birds irritate and stress them more than doing anything good for them. By keeping the Senegal apart from the other parrots, you'll reduce aggression and keep everyone safe.

If you have the space to cage and allow the Senegal to live separate from the other parrots, that's ideal.

[wdlodge]

The most important thing is that the Senegal not be in the same accessible area as other birds unless EVERYONE is caged. If the Senegal has the potential to land on the other birds' cages or they can land on the Senegal's cage, that is an accident waiting to happen. Kili still takes any opportunity to go land on Truman's cage and torment him through the bars (but they are of the same genus and a closer size match for each other).

Honestly, I think keeping the Senegal entirely separate from the other parrots is actually best. They seem to hate other birds and really prefer to just keep things to themselves. I think other birds irritate and stress them more than doing anything good for them. By keeping the Senegal apart from the other parrots, you'll reduce aggression and keep everyone safe.

If you have the space to cage and allow the Senegal to live separate from the other parrots, that's ideal.

Ok well now I'm freaking out. I have a 3.5 month old parrotlet, she is a great lil bird, but i have my heart set and getting a 3.5 month old senegal, next week. I have two cages appropriate size for each bird. And I want them to eventually be in close proxcimity to one another, within 6 ft. But what you are saying is that neither bird should be out when the other is, what about supervised? Kiwi is never out unsupervised, ever even as a single bird. Won't they eventually get used to each other? I really need information, because kiwi is happy and healthy and I don't want to disrupt her peace and happiness by introducing another bird. Thanks!

[Michael]

Won't they eventually get used to each other?

No. Well, yes they will be "used to each other" but that doesn't mean the Senegal won't attack. After 3 years Kili and Truman are used to each other and can be around each other for the most part. But just the other day she jumped him out of nowhere after spending hours out. She was hanging off his feathers so he couldn't fly. They tumbled to the floor together and she wouldn't let go until he finally left the feathers behind and flew away. Many a bloody nose or feet Truman had before he learned to stay away from her. Luckily he is bigger and can handle the bullying. Any bird of equal or smaller size would be critically injured or dead.

Senegals don't enjoy the presence of other species, or Senegals for that matter. So you're not doing anyone any favors to mix them with other species unless you want to have both for yourself and can keep them separate to keep things safe.