Getting my GCC a companion?

[KNG]

Hi everyone,

I have a 4 year old female GCC named Lola. She's a great bird and very bonded to me. I'm in college, so I take her to school with me and if I have time in between my classes, I'll get her out for a little bit or at least talk to her through her cage. However, this summer I am back home and have a very busy schedule, where I work at the zoo from 8-5. Our play time is suffering, and I don't want Lola to be lonely. She has been doing her loud scream/contact call when I'm not with her, and it makes me sad. I don't reinforce this behavior, though.

My plan was, one day, to get her a companion and just let her be a bird. I know this means she will lose her bond with me, and probably want nothing to do with me anymore. But I want her to be happy. And I know I'll have to find a companion she actually likes, which could take awhile - when I first got her, I also bought her sister, but the two didn't get along and eventually I gave her sister back. I'm thinking a male GCC, but i'm not interested in breeding. At least not any time soon.

I have her in the basement with my other birds right now...gouldian finches and a pair of lovebirds.

What do you guys think? Companion? Or will we be able to make it through this summer with less play time?

Katie

[pennyandrocky]

you won't lose your bond by getting another, getting 2 at the same time makes bonding difficult but not impossible.if you get a male you would need a small dark place like a box or a tent to encourage mating.why do you need another bird as a companion when you already have other birds? they don't have to be the same kind to be companions i adopted a for my after he lost his .

[liz]

Get them out of the basement.

That atmosphere is the opposite of what they need. I would scream too.

[KNG]

I have them in the basement because I feel that is the safest place. Plus it has the most room. I don't have to worry about them getting fumes from cooking or candles. It's not a dark and dreary basement, btw. There are large windows that let in sunshine.

I could move Lola to my room, but then she won't be able to talk to the lovebirds while I'm gone..which will be the majority of the day.

Also, Lola has a tent, but if I get another bird I won't be giving them a nest. I don't want to encourage mating/egg-laying at this time. It could cause a new set of problems.

[marie83]

I have them in the basement because I feel that is the safest place. Plus it has the most room. I don't have to worry about them getting fumes from cooking or candles. It's not a dark and dreary basement, btw. There are large windows that let in sunshine.

I could move Lola to my room, but then she won't be able to talk to the lovebirds while I'm gone..which will be the majority of the day.

Also, Lola has a tent, but if I get another bird I won't be giving them a nest. I don't want to encourage mating/egg-laying at this time. It could cause a new set of problems.

Your right they won't need a nest but be warned if they are desperate to breed you may get eggs on the floor anyway. If your birds are handreared they will be imprinted on humans so probably won't see each other as potential mates anyway. Also what happens to the birds if they do not get on? Thats one more bird to care for that you do not have time for, taking even more time away from your existing birds.


This is going to sound really harsh as well, I don't mean it to be but I'm going to say it anyway. How can you not have time for your birds? They may get less time than normal since you are busier but you should still be able to make enough time for them .A well adjusted bird will be fine with that if you give it enough to occupy it's time but then you can give extra time elsewhere like on a day off.

Put it this way, I have a full time job, I'm doing a full time college course as well. I also have shed loads of assignments which need doing and now my mother is in hospital too (since Monday) so I need to see her every day too. I spend roughly an hour and a half travelling on my college days there and back. Before mum got sick my birds generally had an hour or so direct interaction and a further 5 hours out of their cages, whilst I cracked on with assignments, but that varied from day to day. Despite my new and hopefully temporary situation my birds have still had 2 and a half hours out their cages on tues, wed and today by changing my routines to fit, they will get only get 4 hours tomorrow but will get 9+ hours on saturday, you cant change certain commitments but you can change other things and plan round, guess what? I currently have no social life or any me time but I feel that is the responsiblity you take on when choosing a pet, especially one as complex as a parrot. If you can't cope then something else needs to give so you have more time.

[liz]

No parent would say they don't have enough time for their kids.

I care for my mother and aunt who are both invalids. My birds are listed below my avitar. I also have 5 dogs and 5 cats running in and out of the house all day through a doggie door to the fenced back yard.

Most of my kids come to me when they need individual attention but I talk to them and play with them as I go through my day. They are all on a schedule to the point that at 9 pm everyone including cats are in the house and ready for bed.

[Cage Cleaner]

Gl

[cmaygar]

It's not unusual for a bird to be without its owner for normal working hours. You should have plenty of time after you get home to spend with your bird. It sounds like she is settling into her new routine. It's also not clear that she would accept a "companion". She hears the sounds of your other birds and sees them now all day long so those birds are basically her companions.

I recently brought 2 baby green cheeks in my home and have them in separate cages. They see each other and chatter back and forth but I don't plan on trying to keep them in one cage. One is much more aggressive (and 2 months older) than the other so they will remain friends from a distance. It sounds like you are a very responsible owner for all of your birds.