Deciding on parrot #2?

[Pomlover2586]

How did you decide to add a second parrot to your family? What issues did you struggle with in deciding? Did the final reality meet your anticipated fears- such as more noise, too much extra cleaning, parrots not getting along etc?

Considering a second Caique and we are concerned about some of these issues. Wanting to know how this affected other bird families.

[RedDragon1288]

well I always said to my family that I was going to get another parrot when Ruby turned three. Malachite was born last year and came home to us last year and Ruby just turned 3 this year. Yes I feared they don't get along and I was fully aware of this situation was going to happen. When Malachite came home, Ruby had to have his flight feathers clipped for the safety of Malachite. Ruby just doesn't like other parrot species and only accept his own. That was the solution to that issue. We prepare space for both and they have their own play gyms. I alternate couch time with both. It's work but nothing to stress over if you prepare and have a plan. Noise is really not much of a problem.

[marie83]

I've always gone by the will I have enough time, both now and in the future, to look after both birds properly should there be any issues.
Ollie and Harlie both have to have seperate out times as Ollie will chase Harlie as he is fascinated by her crest. If she is on my shoulder he will try to knock her off. That doesn't sound too bad really but it could easily be alot more aggesive or damage the work done to help with Harlies nervousness.
I will work on an attempt at training the behaviour out of Ollie eventually but for now its easier for me to have seperate out times and I don't want to try until I am sure it wont make Harlie more nervous.

Other than the out times and time training 2 birds etc I don't really find the extra mess a problem. It doesn't take much longer to clean two cages instead of 1 for me but that may depend on your cages. Ollies cage is much harder to clean than Harlies. I don't notice the extra noise but I have two of the more quiet species anyway but them being different species may help with that (I don't know).

Basically as long as you have a solution for the worst case scenario (preferably with a plan B too) then you should be fine.

[Kacey]

I struggled with the decision as well. My main motivation for considering a second bird was that my parrotlet would not eat unless someone was in the room with her. She was rehomed and had previously lived with 3 sun conures. She was, however, our only bird. She was slightly under weight and I had to try to come home for lunch every day so I could sit with her so she would eat. I don't know if she would've decided to eat if she got hungry enough but it sure didn't seem like she would ever eat alone. Anyway, I got my second bird and problem solved. My parrotlet also stopped contact calling every time we left the room. She has gained weight and seems much happier. I was worried they wouldn't get along and at first they didn't. But now they are quite good friends. They have separate cages and only spend time together supervised. I have not noticed a drastic increase in noise but they do wake each other up in the mornings so no more sleeping in for us. Also, my parrotlet was a picky eater when we got her. Eating only seeds, strawberries and carrots, but thanks to my second bird she has gotten her to eat tons of new foods. Cleaning cages and preparing food does take longer with two. Good luck!