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Birds--General/Love bird companionship

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Expert: - 6/27/2006


Question
I had 2 lovebirds from same parents. One died after 13 years. The other, 14 years old, looks sad. Should I get him another one to keep him company? If, yes, what should I choose, a young one, an old one?

Answer
Hi, Ahmet.  Thanks for posting.

I'm so sorry about your loss.  There's no doubt the existing lovebird is mourning the loss of it's sibling and companion.  You might want to wait a little while before purchasing a new lovebird to see how the lovebird behaves after getting more used to being without it's companion.  Is it you that is sad about the loss and not so much the remaining lovebird?  The living lovebird doesn't need another bird to keep him company if you spend time with s/he every day, unless the existing lovebird isn't tame and you don't interact with s/he much.  The choice to get another lovebird is, of course, up to you...you're around the lovebird and can better judge whether acquiring a new lovebird is the right thing to do based on your knowledge of this bird and it's behavior.  You could go either way regarding age...a younger lovebird with lots of energy and enthusiasm might be just what the 14-year old lovebird needs, but then again, if it's personality is such, you might want to purchase a lovebird who's been around for a while.  This all depends on the individual personality of the living bird and what s/he might tolerate at it's age and what you want to do.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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