Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 4/1/2007

Question
My parakeet just died and the other is grieving. Will buying a new one help make him feel better? He won't eat or drink. All he does is screech nonstop and fly around the cage like he's gone mad! I'm afraid he'll
kill himself before long. Please give me some advice!!!

Answer
Hi, Jessica.  Thanks for posting!

I'm sorry to hear about your loss.  How long ago did your keet pass away?  Was the bird ill or did something else happen?  I find it strange that the grieving keet is screeching nonstop and flying aimlessly around its cage.  Usually a grieving bird will not be active at all.  

I don't know if another bird will help the situation.  It could actually make it worse because the existing bird is already stressed out and a new bird will result in added stress.  However, I'm not going to say another bird won't help...it just depends on the personality of the existing bird and the personality of a new bird.  In addition, a new bird should be quarantined for 30 days before introducing it to your current bird.  This is especially important if the bird that passed was ill.  You don't want an illness to be spread to your other bird(s) if this was the case.

Chrys