Tiki's brother

[GreenWing]

Tiki's brother, a Senegal from her clutch, needs a home. I've played with him and yeah, I've fallen in love with him. He's bold and sweet and apparently loves women in particular. There are some men he hates as a result of his previous living situation.

I'd love to take him in and be his new mama, but I wanted to get the responses of others first. I am not sure if adding another Sennie to the flock is a good idea, especially at this time. Tiki will be going through sexual maturity and then I'd have two horny, hormonal birds on my hands... er that would be crazy

So um, any advice?

[Eurycerus]

Aw poor guy... I just started fostering a new Senegal so I understand the desire to help out. I'm glad it's fostering but I can tell I'm probably going to get attached. I think it will be a difficult road if you choose to get another Senegal. In the end it's up to you but because you're considering adopting rather than fostering it's a pretty serious decision. At last Nika is sexually mature so I don't have to worry about that and Diggy is a foster. I feel that it's probably an unwise decision but all the best ones are you'll make it work whatever you decide.

[GreenWing]

Aw poor guy... I just started fostering a new Senegal so I understand the desire to help out. I'm glad it's fostering but I can tell I'm probably going to get attached. I think it will be a difficult road if you choose to get another Senegal. In the end it's up to you but because you're considering adopting rather than fostering it's a pretty serious decision. At last Nika is sexually mature so I don't have to worry about that and Diggy is a foster. I feel that it's probably an unwise decision but all the best ones are you'll make it work whatever you decide.

Thank you... I just read you added another to your own flock, that is wonderful news! I am just worried about the sexual maturity thing, I'd have double the trouble but Tiki's brother sure is sweet. Also: I am a little worried that they'd mate? I mean it's gross to think about but would they know better?

[Michael]

I really don't know about sibling parrots that were separated and reunited. However, I should warn you that usually adding another bird makes the behavior of the first bird worsen. It can be recovered through even more training and work, but usually it creates a change in the first bird. It could be that the original bird hates the new one. Could be that the original bird is jealous and takes it out on you. Could be that the original bird falls in love with the new one and looses its bond with you. It's important to take these sorts of things into consideration and only go forth if any or all of these (and other possibilities) are acceptable to you. If these are things you can accept and the desire/benefit of adding the additional bird outweighs these possibilities, then you know it's a good idea. Otherwise you may be asking for trouble. This is a delicate age and making a big change like this now could play a bigger than normal impact on the bird's behavior.

Also keep in mind that two birds may amplify each others problems. If one screams a lot, the other is likely to pick it up. If one likes to come over and bite you, the other may tag along, etc.

[Eurycerus]

Well I personally wouldn't let two parrots live in the same cage, well two Senegals at least, and you can probably curb hormonal behavior outside of the cage. Worst case scenario you can boil or prick the egg if she lays so no inbreeding or breeding period. I imagine that would be the least of your worries.

The things that worry me are double the screaming (or worse screaming with Nika), jealousy (Nika seems more distracted, but not angry or aggressive since Diggy arrived, I can't get a good training session in), and aggression. Aggression between them is the biggest worry for me. I'm skeptical that Diggy and Nika will get to hang out before he finds a home. He's very clipped and shy, so I wouldn't let them interact till he could fly minimum. I haven't handled him yet. I was going to try today but he is so shy he skittered away from my hand. I continued some trust building but it's such the opposite problem from Nika that it will take time for me to figure this out. I believe that I could force it with Diggy but I don't want to upset or scare him... I get the feeling his foster dad was a little more forceful than I'm willing to be. He's a gentle boy.

I have only had Diggy here for five days, but it makes me pretty happy to hear them happily chattering away or eating. I think in time fostering Diggy will become more rewarding as he becomes more trusting.

By the way what's the story with the little brother? He can't have been with his people for very long, I mean you haven't had your little lady too long.

[friend2parrots]

you'll make it work whatever you decide.

i agree with this. I also think Michael and Eurycerus have both offered a good heads up of what scenarios could unfold, etc, just so you have a sense of what might lie in the future.

also, i just wanted to suggest that maybe Ginger (who runs the senegal parrot rescue) might have some advice for GreenWing (and perhaps also for Eurycerus) in terms of how to encourage two senegals to live peacefully together, not in the same cage, of course, but in the same living environment. After watching the video thats linked in Michael's blog article about senegal rescue, I was so impressed with how beautifully all those senegals sat around her house, so respectful of each others' spaces, generally peaceful, well behaved, etc, and how Ginger was able to walk amidst them without provoking jealousy or other bad behavior.

and, like Eurycerus, i am curious about Tiki's brother's history?

[Michael]

Eh, all is not what it seems. Ginger's Senegals get into squabbles from time to time. I think she'll be first to tell you that multiple Senegals is a recipe for disaster.

[Eurycerus]

Thus far both parrots don't acknowledge that the other exists. I'm sure if I forced them into the same environment something bad could happen, but it's surprising that they nearly complete ignore each other.

[Mona]

Hi guys:

I have three that live together successfully (not in same cage). I have written extensively about how it is done and you can see it on my website www.flyingparrotsinside.com

My oldest Senegal is probably 17 and my youngest is 11. Two males and one hen....

Thx

Mona

[GreenWing]

Thanks for the comments, all. I really appreciate it.

Also keep in mind that two birds may amplify each others problems. If one screams a lot, the other is likely to pick it up. If one likes to come over and bite you, the other may tag along, etc.

Thanks, Michael; you nailed my concerns. As much as I adore her brother, I'm not sure I could handle another beaked toddler at the moment... plus I think Tiki is starting a molt and she's being realllllllllly moody

By the way what's the story with the little brother? He can't have been with his people for very long, I mean you haven't had your little lady too long.

and, like Eurycerus, i am curious about Tiki's brother's history?

Thanks for the encouragement to you both... when I asked about it the reply was ambiguous but apparently one of the back doors was left open and he got out -- even though he's clipped -- and they all went to chase him. One person in particular, a male, really wigged him out as a result and he never got over it (hence, his issues with men). Sadly, it seems to me that they never worked with him at all... he doesn't know "step up"...

Hi guys:

I have three that live together successfully (not in same cage). I have written extensively about how it is done and you can see it on my website http://www.flyingparrotsinside.com

My oldest Senegal is probably 17 and my youngest is 11. Two males and one hen....

Thx

Mona

Thanks, Mona