New bird!

[Chris&Akilah]

Maybe, I might just get a pair of budgies though (my plan was to get another to go with Micky, after all). I'm not sure I could handle two parrots as in-love with me as Akilah is . But just out of curiosity, what species would be most compatible with a Senegal? As an 'out-of-cage' friend. It would really be something to see him play with another bird. That's hard to imagine right now though. Would I have to get a female bird?

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I think you can never assume any bird you get will get along with Akilah. It might happen, and you can hedge your bets, but you need to plan things so you'll be OK with the situation if they turn out to hate each other. I don't think the sex matters unless its the same species, but if two birds of the same species and opposite sex are together a lot of the time (housed together or out together most of the day) I think there is a real risk they'd become a mated pair and you might lose your pet.

[zazanomore]

Sad to hear about the rehoming of your budgie. Budgies are such great little guys.

But perhaps you shouldn't be looking for another bird. I mean, if you didn't want the one budgie, maybe two budgies wouldn't be the best idea.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I think it was more that he felt they really WANTED Mickey, not that he didn't want him.

[Chris&Akilah]

Yeah, it was more the fact that Micky got more attention from them in one day than he had from me in a little less than two weeks, and he really seemed to click with my brother's MIL. He sure never puffed up and made little buzzy chatting noises to me.

But, zaza you're right, I don't think I should get another bird. I've been thinking a lot about if I did and it was 'worst-case-scenario', Akilah hates the new bird. Would I be able to devote equal, yet seperate attention to both birds for the rest of their lives? No, probably not. The potential for heartbreak would be too high. I think Akilah and I are just going to make-do with each other, and watching the wild birds on the feeders. It's not an easy decision that's for sure. On one hand, I hate that Akilah is alone when I am not there and doesn't get to interact with other birds. But if I got a bird that didn't get along with Akilah and had to keep them completely seperate, it would be awful for all of us.

[Chris&Akilah]

ps. Micky is already SPOILED. They got him an HQ cage so he has tons of room now and I get the small one back, I think I'll clean it up and use it as a travel-cage for Akilah, it'll be good for car-rides.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Your idea of getting a pair of budgies -- or some finches -- wasn't IMO crazy. They'd entertain themselves so you wouldn't need to worry as much about socialization, although you would have cleaning and maintenance chores. I'd bow to others experience how much that would serve as "company" when you are away, but I don't think it would be unfair to the birds necessarily.

[kaylayuh]

Your idea of getting a pair of budgies -- or some finches -- wasn't IMO crazy. They'd entertain themselves so you wouldn't need to worry as much about socialization, although you would have cleaning and maintenance chores. I'd bow to others experience how much that would serve as "company" when you are away, but I don't think it would be unfair to the birds necessarily.

My budgies chatter to themselves but don't call to the GCC, so I'm not sure how much company they would be to another bird. If what's needed is some bird chatter so Akilah isn't lonely, I'd say a pair of budgies would do the trick.

My budgies aren't very well socialized with people -- I tried to hold both Pigpen and No Name earlier. Pigpen bit me repeatedly, which feels like nothing now that I'm used to Cheney Bird's bites. No Name let me pet him for a minute or two before flying back to his cage. But both Pigpen and No Name play well with Cheney Bird and Cheney Bird loves to play with them.

[Vicki5280]

I tried to hold both Pigpen and No Name earlier. Pigpen bit me repeatedly, which feels like nothing now that I'm used to Cheney Bird's bites.

That made me !

I had a Budgie "bite" me today, and if he hadn't hit my cuticle, I might not have even noticed it. I love those sweet little buggers!