Is it better to keep closer related species of parrots?

[Michael]

Do captive parrots get along better with parrots of the same genus/tribe than more remote species?

Is it better/safer to keep let's say a Senegal Parrot with a Meyers than a Senegal with a Sun Parakeet? I do realize that this might vary depending on personality and species specifics, but I'm curious how these variations affect flock dynamics.

PS, when I say tribe, I mean african parrots, new world parrots, etc as classifications.

[zazanomore]

There's a bunch of different factors.

There's size, temperament, and where they come from.

Cockatiels are in the cockatoo family, and they get along with budgies (in aviary settings) because they co-exist in the wild.

I'd doubt that a macaw and a budgie would get along that well, considering the difference in size. But I was watching the documentary "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" and the blue crowned conure was said to always stick with the budgies rather than the cherry headed conures.

Personally, I don't think that it's about birds getting along in the same family, but rather birds that have adapted to co-exist with other birds of the same region.

[Shani]

I've actually heard that budgies can be quite aggressive towards cockatiels. Cockatiels (generally speaking) are very placid, timid birds compared to some of the more aggressive smaller parrots (in uh... inter-parrot relations anyway) That's based on word of mouth though, not personal experience.

I think what's probably the biggest factor in having different species coexisting in aviculture is largely how the birds are introduced to each other/taught to interact with one another, and not so much on how closely the two parrots are related to each other genus/tribe wise. Like, if you had two parrots and you just lumped them in a cage together without warning - chances are that, regardless of how closely related they are to each other, they wouldn't get along. However, if you introduced them in a neutral sort of territory, and let them get acquainted with each other over time,then I don't think there would be much of a problem.

Anyway, I would hazard a guess that due to parrots of the same genus/tribe being more closely related to each other they would be more inclined to get along with each other due to similar mannerisms etc. That said, I would be more comfortable putting two or more parrots in an aviary/cage setting together if I knew they were a very passive species by nature (even if they weren't remotely related by genus/tribe), than i would putting two closely related (eg: same genus) yet aggressive parrots together.

I'd definitely err on the side of caution though, and probably lean towards giving each species their own section of an aviary unless the two species have often been kept together without problems over a long period of time. Princess parrots and neophemas are often housed together in Australian aviaries, for example (though even this is debated as to whether it's a good idea or not).

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Let me be Socratic here... WHY would it be better? WHAT would cause more closely genetically related birds to get along better?

[thegreatkatsby]

When choosing a "pet" for Earlyn (blue-front amazon), I specifically chose a pionus because they are both New World Parrots with similar shapes and diets. I'm not sure if it was my very slow, careful way of introducing them to each other, or something to do with their natural instincts, but I did not note aggressive behavior in either one (although, they were never allowed out of their cages at the same time, so I do not know whether or not aggressive behavior would have cropped up if they had been permitted to be closer to each other). Pi showed a particular interest in trying to "fly" toward Earlyn's cage or trying to get her attention across the room, but I think it was a genuine "interest" and not territorial or aggressive behavior. Earlyn liked to watch Pi, but didn't show any particular interest or disinterest. If I could do it all over again, I would still choose a pionus. I do tend to think it's better to try to match birds from similar regions who might have similar body language and calls, although I don't have any solid reason to back up my preference.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Why would they perceive a bird that would normally compete for the same resources as a friend? And how would a handraised baby detect a "similar" bird? Mightn't they be more likely to see other bird species bred at the same facility as natural flockmates even more than birds who happen to have the same natural range, or different range, but somewhat more DNA in common? Do they really have more similar body language? As for natural calls, parrots seem to specialize in learning other vocalizations so I'm not sure there is a strong argument there. Although I guess same-ranging birds could add a natural environment background noise, but this seems mroe compelling for wild-caught birds. Add into the mix that some birds of the same species or even subspecies may hate each other!

I'm skeptical here. Big surprise, eh?

We have one New World bird and one Old World bird. They seem to get along fine and are starting to sound like each other (Scotty is more successful at this than Scooter) although we may never find out HOW well because I'm almost more afraid to leave Scooter out with Scotty than with the cats.

Lots of folks have Aussies in the mix ('tiels and budgies)...

I can, however, see it being easier on the owner, especially with species that share the same feeding sources. And having birds of very similar size and strength could take some of the concern about the consequences of not getting along away. They may be more able to share toys and playstands and so forth if they are similar in overall size and general morphology.

Bottom line? I think it is far better to assemble a flock that you love each and every member of than it is to try to acquire similar birds... unless your sense of aesthetics and taste in birds drives you in that direction anyway. In that case, there is no reason not to collect by region or by genetic similarity. But I say don't turn down that 'too you really want because the rest of your birds came from South America and you think you should stick to that part of the world!

[Michael]

I don't think they necessarily recognize the genetically similar parrots inherently. However, I am hypothesizing that coming from similar regions, climates, and genetic lineages, they would be better equipped to read each other. The body language, defensive stances, etc might be more compatible. I have no idea if this is true or not so I am hoping to get input from people with homogeneous and heterogeneous flocks.

For instance, I would guess that a Cockatoo would have more ease reading another member of the Cockatoo family because of the movable crest than a parrot without it. I suspect there may be other subtleties of particular genera or tribes that would be more noticed by related members. More thoughts on this?

[ptuga72]

For instance, I would guess that a Cockatoo would have more ease reading another member of the Cockatoo family because of the movable crest than a parrot without it. I suspect there may be other subtleties of particular genera or tribes that would be more noticed by related members. More thoughts on this?

I have come across (in other forums) anecdotal evidence that many behavioral mutilating/plucking/screaming 'toos will stop, slow down or decrease the intensity of these behaviors when another 'too of the same species is introduced into the flock, even thought there may already be other parrots living with him/her. However, those that I have come across say that it only worked when the new bird was the same species. I have also met eclectus owners that have the same results when they added another ekkie of the same subspecies, but of a different sex. Of course this is all anecdotal evidence. I also think that the species in question ('toos and ekkies) are highly social birds which thrive in a flock, which means that it might have little to do with the actual (sub)species, and more to do with flock needs.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Well, the crest is an interesting idea, but that only applies to a small number of species. I'm still dubious that a 'tiel would prefer the company of a cockatoo to a GCC, even if they do have that in common, but if there's any evidence that communication route is very significant, that would be interesting. I still think different species which inhabit the same region are as, or even more, likely to perceive one another as enemies than as friends if they could work out that relationship at all.

Introducing another bird of the same species or subspecies is, I think, a very different argument than introducing other birds of the same family, genus or physical range. Unless raised from an egg with no other birds around, I'd think even a handraised baby would have some learned identification and socialization with other babies of the same species and perhaps with the parents as well. And if of the opposite sex and same species, there's a whole 'nother dynamic. But the original question was is there an advantage to keeping multiple Poi species, for example, rather than keeping a Poi and an Amazon... and I'm still really skeptical that there would be any meaningful identification at that level.

[thegreatkatsby]

I will freely admit that my particular attraction to the qualities of New World parrots was perhaps a major factor (both looks and behavior, as well as things like dander). Nothing smells sweeter than a happy Amazon or Pionus! I'm sure my instant attraction to Pi was due largely to my love for Earlyn and the similarities between the two species. Pi's reaction to Earlyn might have been due to having lived with another parrot for his whole life (before I adopted him)--Earlyn's disinterest in Pi might have been due to her lack of interaction with other parrots. Either way, I'm very interested in learning more about keeping birds from similar regions vs. dissimilar regions.