Lonely bird vs bird with company

[Elaihr]

Hi there!

I have a Blue-headed Pionus, and she's being kept as a single parrot for the time being. However, I'm thinking of getting her a winged friend in the future (when I've moved to a bigger house), even though she doesn't seem depressed I've figured I can never give her the same amount of mental stimulus and affection as another bird could.

As I've understood it, the best thing to do would be to get another bird of the same species, which means a Blue-headed Pi. However, I seem to find more individuals of the White Capped and Maximilian's species around, and I'm wondering if it's possible that a bird of another Pionus species could do as well? Does it have to be a Pionus at all, could it perhaps work out with an amazon, or another bird that's somewhat similar in size? I have no intention buying a bird from a breeder, I would prefer a rescue or rehome bird, so I can't just "order" a bird of the "right" species. I'll have to wait until one that could work out shows up (I know it's not only about species either, they're individuals and there must be personal chemistry too). I'll never be in a hurry either, I just want to do what's best for my bird, which is why I'm asking

Also, could you keep two birds together in the same cage if they're of similar size/the same species, or is it better if they have separate cages, regardless of how well they get along? I'd start out with separate cages regardless for quarantine purposes and I also know I can't take for granted that they'd get along, but if they would end up getting along very well, I'd like to keep them together, if it's better for them than it is to keep them apart. So, which is better, a cage for your own, or sharing with a friend? Any input is welcome

In case they don't like each other much or just show no particular sign of interest for each other, do you still think they get something out of each other even if they live in separate cages? Let's say I'm away from home for a bit, do you think they'd find some comfort in there being another bird nearby that they can watch and perhaps even "talk" to a bit?

I know for example Michael first had an only bird, but then got one and eventually two more. If anyone else has gone through a similar thing, have you noticed any difference in your birds behavior, do they seem happier since there's another bird around, or perhaps the opposite?

I'd be very thankful for any response! I'd also like to add that I'm in no hurry, my current situation does not allow for more cages as I'd have no room for myself, so the whole thing will have to wait until I've moved anyway, which could be anything between 2-4 years from now. I'm mainly asking because I want to have thought of most things before taking the step to become a parront of two instead of just one

[mrbowlerhat]

Oh my GOD, I just spent over an hour writing LITERALLY about four pages of text here, and when I was about to post I had been logged out and everything disappeared. So frustrating!

Sorry, I will come back and try to recreate my wall of text this evening. Bottom line was basically that birdie friends are awesome and I would try to get my hands on a BHP, and if impossible, another Pionus species, if I were you. I will get into why (again!) later, as I didn't even really have time to write for that long the FIRST time.

[Pajarita]

OK, let's see:

1 - Species: another BHP would be ideal but they do bond very easily with other species of pionus, with other species completely different (like a zon) and even with species that are not the same size (I had a quaker bonded to a lovebird and, when that lovebird died, he looked for another lovie instead of going for a larger species -his name was Mr. Quakie and he was the sweetest quaker I've ever had) so I would not worry to much about the species itself and take another pionus if you don't find a BHP.

2 - Housing: yes, IF they bond, you can keep them in the same cage and yes, even if they don't bond and require separate cages, they benefit from having another bird in the house.

I have a cockatoo, Zachary, that had lived as a single bird for 17 years before he came to me and he was fascinated by the amazons from day one. He would watch them and watch them and always move to the side of the cage where they were perching so he could look at them closely throughout his whole quarantine. He is still afraid of the other cockatoo but that's because Freddy is an overwhelming sort of bird. He also lived by himself (was a screamer for 21 years and it was the company of the other birds that stopped it) and he wants so much to make friends with poor Zachary that keeps on marching over and just pushing his way in and this scares Zachary so he flies to another corner and keeps on doing this all the time which is too stressful for him so I cage one whenever I am not in the birdroom, taking turns so nobody has to spend too many hours in a cage but it will be OK by the time winter sets in.

[Elaihr]

I'm so sorry mrbowlerhat, it's happened to me too and it really sucks! Looking forward to your wall of text though, if you're up to typing it all again (although I understand if you're not, and it's okay!)

Thanks also to the other replies I really like the Blue-headed Pi's so I don't really see a reason to not get one if I could choose, but yeah, as I'd prefer a rescue or rehome I guess I can't just choose entirely by myself.

Are there any species that are known to be less friendly towards other species than their own? Do some species bond more or less easily to birds of another species? I've heard grey's don't tend to bond easily to other birds at all, not even from the same species, so maybe that wouldn't be the number one choice (although they're super fascinating and I certainly don't have anything against them!)

[cml]

It is definetely possible to have two from different species, but as already said, same species increase the likelyhood of them getting along even though its no guarantee.

We had Stitch for about 5 months before getting Leroy, as we didnt consider it right to have only one bird as me and my wife both work. He was only alone for a maximum of 5 hours, but still we felt it much better to get him a companion so he wouldnt be alone at all.

This is very important though: Do not get a bird just for your bird, you need to want a second bird as well. It's thrice the job, not twice. It's very much worth it though as it makes us so happy to see how much they love each other and how they play and interact. Our decision also brought a wonderful bird and person into our lives, Leroy. I love him to bits , just as I love Stitch.

The reason we didnt go with another white fronted amazon was simple, I tried and tried to find one, be it from a new clutch, rescue or a bird a few years old from a breeder, but there were NONE to find that year. I didnt want Stitch to be an only bird for too long, as I didnt feel it fair towards him so I started to research other possible species which could work. I found the Pionus and started looking into white capped, maximillian and bronze winged and eventually found Leroy.

They are a perfect match! They are the same size (almost: Stitch 190g, Leroy 230g, but they are the same length), and their temperaments complement each other rather than being the same. Stitch is very active and always plays or tries to find something fun to do, and Leroy while a little more laid back always seeks to get into adventures and trouble . They cheer each other on when out on adventures and exploring (just the other day they broke through our curtain-"barrier" out into our hallway by walking through it, oh it was hilarious with ha-HA-ha-HAH's coming from both parrots constantly as they know they're not supposed to walk out there (ha-HA-ha-HAH is the sound they make when they are excited and know they are doing stuff I dont always like).

Anyway, I digressed quite a bit there, but I definetely think you should consider a second bird. It will be totally worth it.

I doubt it will be a problem with another Pionus, regardless of which kind, but the best bet is of course a BHP.

[Wolf]

Greys are picky birds to be sure. And it seems to me to be true that they don't seem to bond to other species of birds. But they don't particularly seem interested enough in them to really bother with them either. It appears to me that they just are not interested in those that they think are not intelligent enough to suit them, and they don't care if you have feathers or scales or hair or any thing else for that matter. I don't know anything about how they react to the presence of other greys as I only have one.

[Elaihr]

Hehe, you might have a point Wolf, they're plenty smart after all