One bird or two?

[notscaredtodance]

I went up to an Avian Breeder today to buy some stuff (shower perch, counter perch, flight harness, no birds! lol) and to look around at the birds they owned. While having a chat with him, it somehow got to the topic of me not wanting an African Grey because they can get stressed easily with new situations and are very sensitive. To this he replied that all birds are senstive to change, but express it differently. Cockatoos scream, but the african birds (senegals included) pretty much shut down and withdrawl. He then explained that I cannot possibly give my bird enough attention all day (they need companion 24/7) and that it's irresponsible to have a single bird.

How do you guys feel about this?

I think it's a bunch of junk. Birds become bonded to one person/bird. So buying 2 companion birds only to have them either a) aggressive towards you because of the other bird, b) not really care for you at all, or c) become bonded to you and aggressive to the other bird... doesn't make sense to me. There are a few things he said that had me raising an eyebrow, but this really took the cake.

[lzver]

This is coming from someone that owns 2 birds, but I think he's full of it. As long as a single bird is provided with enough toys to entertain itself and keep it occupied when you're not there and has sufficient social time when you are home, I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Sounds like he was just trying to sell you another bird. If you think your Senegal is well adjusted and happy, I wouldn't worry too much. Poi's seem to adapt pretty well. I'm certainly not an expert ... just my opinion.

I will say that we got Lucy first and she was by herself when we were at work all day. We got Jessie a couple months later. Jessie was weaned in a pet store and was never alone and I do know that if we take Lucy out of the house (to take her to the vet, put her in the car first to go to the trailer, etc) Jessie starts to freak out. He could never be alone at this point. He starts screaming and he doesn't make that noise at any other time. So as far as Jessie is concerned he has gotten used to having a companion around all the time.

[pchela]

I personally feel that two birds is better... when I'm not home I find it comforting knowing that they can chatter with each other and keep each other company. Since they are such social animals and being alone means danger to them, I just feel better having two.

[Michael]

it somehow got to the topic of me not wanting an African Grey because they can get stressed easily with new situations and are very sensitive. To this he replied that all birds are senstive to change, but express it differently. Cockatoos scream, but the african birds (senegals included) pretty much shut down and withdrawl.

This sounds like BS to me. Perhaps it will be different when Kili gets older but she's been nothing but great handling change because I've conditioned her to it. I just cleaned her cage today and completely changed all perches and toys in it after cleaning. When I put her back in, rather than scared or worried, she was excited to check out the new layout and toys. She definitely is much more quieter and attentive when I have guests or bring her places but I would not call it shut down. As she gets more used to the change, nothing will shut her up.

I have a theory about Pois and other "dull" colored birds. I think their natural defense mechanism is quiet/camouflage unlike brightly colored parrots. The bright parrots are usually noisier and prettier because they are superior fliers or live in areas less threatened by predation. So those parrots can afford to make a lot of noise and draw attention. Many of the Poicephalus live in open woodland/savannah. There may be a few trees here and there but not much cover. So when they are feeding they are pretty open. They have to keep quiet and blend in with vegetation and not draw attention from predators. Furthermore they are bulky and not the best fliers. So being quiet/still is their method of survival. I've definitely noticed Kili freeze when startled. This is my personal theory and I have not been able to confirm this from sources about wild parrots.

As for the need for a companion, I've definitely heard of Pois getting very jealous/aggressive and not liking each other. The companion parrot is for you. Do not buy another bird for them. If you want, only buy another bird for you. Half the time they don't even like each other.

[budgiebuddy]

I think it is bull crap too.If birds really needed another bird then they would not be kept as pets because they would be to agressive and they would either a) fight if they are the same gender over dominance or b) if they were boy and girl they would be making babies alot I think it is fine to keep one as long as someone spends time with it every day.

[pchela]

Birds don't just make babies like other pets will. They require very special circumstances.

I stand by my opinion that two is better. They don't get kept in the same cage of course but they can keep each other company. Nobody can be with their bird 24/7 and they are extremely social animals. Also, humans historically do not care whether what they are doing is right for the animal so saying that they would not be kept as pets if they required more than one is not true.

There are still people who will buy one male canary and keep him in a cage alone so they can hear him sing. To me, that is animal cruelty. No finch or canary or any small bird that gets no human interaction should be kept alone. He is not singing because he is happy to be locked up in a tiny space alone. He is singing to find a mate. I can't tell you how many people came into the pet store and wanted a single canary and I always refused them.

Anyway, a canary or finch is a more severe case because they do not interact with humans but I do think that having two parrots is healthier for the birds than one alone.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I've been wondering if Scooter would like having a buddy (in another cage) when we aren't home, especially since we travel fairly often. On the other hand, I don't get the impression that it is like horses -- keeping one horse alone without any other equines within sight and sound can really cause problems as being isolated from a herd does tend to stress them out. You do see individual birds out on their own a lot more frequently than you do horses. A group of horses in a pasture will generally be hanging out together, I often see one hummingbird at the feeder or one house finch bathing in the fountain. Dunno.

[pchela]

Maybe you could research Green Cheeks specifically and see if they tend to wander out on their own or if they are always with their flock? Only problem with that is that it is sometimes difficult to find detailed info on wild parrots for some reason.

[budgiebuddy]

Birds don't just make babies like other pets will. They require very special circumstances.

I stand by my opinion that two is better. They don't get kept in the same cage of course but they can keep each other company. Nobody can be with their bird 24/7 and they are extremely social animals. Also, humans historically do not care whether what they are doing is right for the animal so saying that they would not be kept as pets if they required more than one is not true.

There are still people who will buy one male canary and keep him in a cage alone so they can hear him sing. To me, that is animal cruelty. No finch or canary or any small bird that gets no human interaction should be kept alone. He is not singing because he is happy to be locked up in a tiny space alone. He is singing to find a mate. I can't tell you how many people came into the pet store and wanted a single canary and I always refused them.

Anyway, a canary or finch is a more severe case because they do not interact with humans but I do think that having two parrots is healthier for the birds than one alone.

Well i do think having them in different cages would be fine but i am mainly talking about the same cage

[Natacha]

I'm with pchela on this...

Although my flock aren't "friends" with each other, there is definitively an interesting dynamic. I think they do enjoy each other's presence, specially when my boyfriend and I aren't around. They are sometimes in their room when we are around and I hear them chatting with each other; the calls are far from being calls for attention, it really seems like they are just "talking" amongst each other. I'm sure this is more interesting then spending the day alone.