Reassure me, Will Scooter be OK?

[Azure Hanyo]

I just realized that I sound like I want to break the golden rule of not getting a parrot to be another parrot's friend. Well, technically if we got a second small parrot it would be my husband's bird. So I'm not!

[Azure Hanyo]

And, yeah, it would be totally in character for Scooter to try to chase the bigger bird. He tries to chase the cat. We have to be very careful.

I LOVE SCOOTER! Hahahahaha awesome...

[Michael]

Basically, I think ANYONE adding another parrot - regardless of species, it could be the same species as preexisting parrot - risks that they will absolutely NOT get along and be a severe threat to each other. The only way that this is an acceptable risk to take is if you are prepared to have the two parrots completely separate from each other in the long term if it is necessary. This would really apply no matter what additional parrot you get but especially so when they are more different like this. Two mixed species conures are more likely (but not guaranteed) to safely get along than a cape with gcc.

When I added Truman, I was prepared that he and Kili would never get along and that I wouldn't be letting out more than one at a time. Luckily with some training and patience things worked out pretty good. Since you are keeping them clipped (not gonna get into that for now), you do have more control over keeping them apart (but be mindful that if something scares them and they both end up on the floor, what might ensue).

[Azure Hanyo]

Basically, I think ANYONE adding another parrot - regardless of species, it could be the same species as preexisting parrot - risks that they will absolutely NOT get along and be a severe threat to each other.

Couldn't agree more. Good advice!

[Rue]

Yes...there should be no assumption that they'll be 'friends'...but they're unlikely to be 'mortal enemies' either.

My Pi and Amazon get along fine...I don't have to worry about them hurting each other...but they're not friends in that they'll groom each other, etc.

The CAG is a little odd...I have to watch more carefully when she's out. She's actually gone after my daughter... ...and I don't trust her not to hurt one of the other birds if they're in reach...but she's not always on the attack either...so for the majority of the time, she's fine too.

The two 'tiels are housed together. But they're not 'friends' either...they won't groom each other or eat from the same bowl at the same time.

BUT...all 5 of them will eat at the same time, groom themselves at the same time, have squawky periods, sleep...etc.. So they still engage in flock behaviours even if they're not in direct contact with each other. That's what I think is so important to their well-being.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

The post "Grieving" has me really riled up. We'd have every intention of being careful, but how common is it for one bird to kill another more or less with intent like that? I had never envisioned turning them loose with each other, but the idea that one bird might be just waiting for a chance to get at and kill the other, rather than lashing out in annoyance, scared me. Our cats have far less interest in harming Scooter than that.

[Michael]

Don't worry, I doubt scooter could kill the Cape, although I'd imagine he'd like to.

Does anyone have a picture of a Green Cheek next to a Senegal Parrot so I could compare their scale directly? I know how big a Senegal is compared to a Cape. I wonder how much smaller a Green Cheek comes out to be. They always seemed small to me but never seen a direct comparison.

[pchela]

The post "Grieving" has me really riled up. We'd have every intention of being careful, but how common is it for one bird to kill another more or less with intent like that? I had never envisioned turning them loose with each other, but the idea that one bird might be just waiting for a chance to get at and kill the other, rather than lashing out in annoyance, scared me. Our cats have far less interest in harming Scooter than that.

For what it's worth, this is the first time I've heard of a pet bird killing another when they weren't caged together. I've only ever heard of breeder birds killing mates.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Don't worry, I doubt scooter could kill the Cape, although I'd imagine he'd like to.

Well, you might have a point there!

[Rue]

It's not unheard of, but it's certainly not common.

Most birds will get along - even if they're not 'friends'.