AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience Certified Avian Specialist.
For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Question hello,
I've had a Senegal Parrot for almost 2 years and he's really part of my family. and recently, I've been thinking about getting another parrot. i really like the Rainbow Lorikeet's look and personality. but im not sure if they will get along or really what to do to introduce a new bird.
should they be in seperate cages?
should i give more attention to my Senegal to make sure he still feels like part of the family?
will they get along?
what should i do if they dont get along?
also, i like the Lory, but if there is another type of parrot that would most likely bond better with my Senegal, what would it be?
i would really apreciate any help/ advice that you can give me.
thank you
kind regards,
Amelia
Answer When a new bird is brought into an established flock environment, even if it’s just you and one other feathered friend, there can be what we humans seem to think is ‘jealousy’.
If you know you’re going to be adding to your home beforehand, it may help to put the new cage in, complete with bowls, toys and everything else the new bird will be enjoying. Go to that cage every day and touch the things inside, even talk to them like you would be talking to a new bird. Sure, this sounds funny, but it’s a technique called ‘conditioning’ and it really does seem to work.
A new bird needs to be isolated out of the same air space as your established bird for at least 30 days to be sure there’s no illness or disease that presents (a previously carried/hidden problem may be brought to the surface by the stress of relocation to your home).
To make this quicker, I have all new birds DNA/genetically screened for disease right away and keep the isolation until all results come back clear.
When it comes to actually sharing a single cage, I don’t allow it with any of our birds. The top reasons for this being that the cage needs to be big enough for two. Each bird should be able to fully extend their wings, at the same time, without touching each other and while sharing the same level perch. They needs a huge amount of space so they both feel they have their own territory and not fight over a small area.
The two birds need to eat the same food and one bird might eat so much that the other bird is prevented from getting their share. This and other stresses can lead one or both birds to self-mutilation (feather plucking) which is a disorder that starts far easier than it ends. Some feather pluckers never stop once they start.
Mutual injury is another major issue, especially when mixing sizes of birds that share the same level of enclosure as opposed to mixing birds that compliment each other (one being a ground feeder, the other being a tree top feeder, like a dove and a parrot). Far too many times there are birds that have lived together for quite a while and all it takes is one accident. Just one mistake or misplaced bite and the injury could be fatal to a bird, devastating to the owner.
Finally, birds that are allowed to share a cage will often not be as human bonded as they might be otherwise. Are you ready to give up the loving companionship of your birds?
We keep our birds together, but not in the same cages. We discourage any touching between the birds as well. Our two in-house macaws (a Severe macaw and a Blue & Gold macaw) have been together for nearly 5 years without ever touching; however, they interact regularly with talking, noises and counting on each other to be there in their own individual cages, whether during the day or in their sleep cages at night.
Take a look at the set up and more about bird care here:
www.4AnimalCare.org/birds
