Cockateil and Senegal: they meet at last

[sora no tori]

The day my boyfriend and I have been waiting for finally cam to be yesterday: Logan, the and Conrad, the have met at last! I wish I could have recorded the encounter on film to show you all, but I thought it would be wiser to keep my hands free in case anything went wrong. When we first brought them in a room together, my bf had Logan on his shoulder, and Conrad was on my finger. We kept them like this for a bit, and Conrad kept flying onto my bf's opposite shoulder. He must have been jealous, because when I took hold of Logan, the same thing happened. We gave the birds a quarter sprig of millet each and a handful of freshly thawed veggies and watched them enjoy the shmorgesborg (sp). Conrad had never had millet before. He didn't know what to do with it until he saw Logan going after it like it was the greatest millet he'd ever tasted. They're millet munching led the birds right up next to each other. Ready for a shock? Logan puts down his millet, strechs out his beak, and starts to preen the feathers on Conrad's neck. When Conrad strecthed out his own beak in the direction of Logan's, I confess I got spooked and pulled them apart. They largely ignored each other, until Conrad saw Logan's long tail, and I saw "the look"; the look in his eye when he wants to destroy something. He wrapped his beak around Logan's tail, and I grabbed him and pulled him back. I probably didn't have to do this, but I was on edge. On one occasion, Conrad decided he really wanted the corn Logan was munching, and charged. Logan backed down and went for the millet again. After the food was done, Logan got back on my bf's shoulder, and when Conrad decided he wanted a seat on his same arm, Logan hissed at him . When the food was done, we each took a bird and cuddled them while we watched television. Overall, I'd say it was a good first encounter. What I think I need to do is put the two bird's cages in the same room to give me a better idea of their feelings for each other in a more controlled setting. Hopefully, the two can become friends.

[GlassOnion]

No quarantine whatsoever?

[sora no tori]

They were quarantined for two weeks.

[Kathleen]

Senegal parrots are aggressive and some individuals have killed their own mates, bit off/injured the toes of other birds, etc.
These birds are meant to be companions for you, not for each other and they would not encounter each other in a natural situation.

The one bird could have pulled the tail feathers out of the other bird's tail. In addition, I've read in several places that when spooked a parrot can "let go" of its tail feathers and they could all just come right out (makes sense because if a predator got it by the tail this would be a survival tactic).

I honestly don't think putting the two birds cages near each other will help at all. It may even increase or cause territorial aggression. One bird may feel that a certain area is "their" area and try to chase the other out of it to defend its percieved territory. One bird may chase the other bird or attack it to defend/keep it away from its percieved mate.

Based on the interactions I've had with Senegal Parrots and with Cockatiels, I would imagine that the Senegal Parrot would be much more aggressive and chase the cockatiel, hurt the cockatiel etc.

Don't under estimate this risk. It's best to keep the birds flighted and supervise each bird extremely closely.

[sora no tori]

First of all, let me go ahead and clarify that I'm not expecting them to be bestest buddies. I'm just hoping for tolerance of one another. The birds are usually in different rooms, but during the four hour stretch where I am in class, or otherwise out of my apartment, the grand plan is to leave the two birds in the room with their cages on different ends of said room. What's more, I'm alternating which room they are in so no individual is always warranted the right to be territorial. So far, I've not seen anything territorial in Conrad's behavior. I'm hoping that because I'm doing this while he is so young, Logan will become such a part of the routine, there won't be a need for it. Trust me, I know that when it came down to a fight between them, Logan would lose. Badly. Some of you might think I'm foolish for even getting a senegal if I'm aware of this. I do have a reason. A good one. But, it's also a painful one to share on this forum. But, I'm rambling now. Let me know if you see a detail i've neglected. Thank you, Kathleen.

[Mum2rory]

I have a tiel who appears to be at the bottom of the birdy rung. He is not tolerated by the 2 budgies, they gang up on him and the cinn gcc doesnt really care for him either. The cinn gcc also cant be bothered with the budgies. (So tops is gcc, then budgies, then tiel) But I take all precautions and they are not in a real position to attack each other. I, like you, just want the birds to tolerate each other without fighting. I am finding, with time, patience, talking to my birdys, spending out of cage time with them, that their tolerance is increasing. I think your idea is do-able, so I wish you all the best. Everyones situation is different and you sound like you have thought this through - Wish all parrot parents thought things through.

[coolhady13]

"Logan " very nice name

[Kathleen]

I am afraid for your cockatiel. Please be so so careful.

[Mum2rory]

Thanks Kathleen, I am a responsible old girl who takes my responsibility to these guys seriously. I DO NOT allow anyone/thing to mess with my Rory. Rory tiel is flighted, the gcc is not (got him like that but wheen feathers grow back, he will stay flighted) Rory comes over to me on the couch, has a chirpy chat, a few flight laps, scritches, plays on his cage or floor or wherever. The gcc tends to stay on my left shoulder or arm. The only "agression' is the look of the gcc, he cocks his head as if to say "dont mess with me" He has never had the chance to attack any of the other birds. Is it only me, or do they have an evil look in their eye? LOL. I look after all birds and other pets the same way - I took them on, I protect and care for them.

[sora no tori]

"Logan " very nice name

Thank you. it's actually the name he came with. He's adopted.

I am afraid for your cockatiel. Please be so so careful.

I will be.