Should I get my bird a companion?

[Young Parent]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting here, although I have been conducting research on this forum for several months already. I am the new parent of a red-fronted Kakariki hen, Robot, who is about to reach five months of age. This forum has proved invaluable to me as a new parent, so thanks in advance for the feedback.

I am entering a two-year Masters degree, which affords me a lot of time to spend with Robot throughout the day. As a result, we have a close bond, although she is perfectly affectionate towards my boyfriend and my housemates as well. When I got her from the store, she was in an open enclosure with about twenty other young birds of various species. The pet shop allows supervised handling of the birds from opening to close, so Robot has been very well socialised with both people and other birds from a very young age.

My concern may be a little silly, but in two years' time I intend to enter the working world, and I will naturally have to start spending much more time away from home. Before I even brought Robot home, I resolved that I would ensure that she had a companion at that point. However, after spending hours and hours of reading stories of flocks that don't get on, I wonder if now is the best time to introduce a new bird to Robot? She is still young and potentially more likely to adapt well to a new flock member now than she will be in two years' time. So, I have a few questions:

Is there an optimal time to introduce a new bird into the flock?

Is it better for both birds to be under a year old? I would love to rescue an older bird, but little Robot is very gentle and I would despair if, for example, a cranky older lovebird rescue were to hurt her in some way.

Is it better to adopt a companion from the same species? A few young kakarikis have just become available for sale in my province (an absolute fluke, as I don't know a single other South African who has kept a kakariki as a pet, let alone bred them) and I am toying with the idea of getting one of them. The problem is that kakarikis are pretty hard to sex, and the last thing I want is to bring home a male and for them to breed.

I would dearly love to get a lovebird or a parrotlet, but they appear to be very aggressive little parrots. Robot is hyper-active and super curious, but she is far from confrontational. She has never bitten, ever, even on the rare occasion that I've had to pick her up and wrestle some harmful object from her mouth (this bird will try to eat anything and everything). I am attracted to parrotlets and lovebirds because their high energy levels would be on par with Robot's, but I've been told that they don't tend to get on with other birds. If I got a newly weaned hand-reared parrotlet/lovebird, would they adapt fairly well to Robot's presence? I know that it really varies from bird to bird, but I am wondering if anyone has kakarikis and has had them live alongside other species before.

Thanks!

 

[sunnysmom]

I'm afraid I don't know a lot about kakarikis. Generally, though birds of the same species have a better chance of getting along with each other. As for mating- they wouldn't necessarily have to share a cage. And if they would have eggs- you can remove and switch out with dummy eggs. (I know not everyone is comfortable doing that.) I think older birds and younger birds can get along just fine. And if you want to adopt, there are so many great birds out there in need of homes. You are correct that lovies and parrotlets can be feisty. They probably wouldn't be able to share a cage with your bird. But they could be out together with supervision. Although if your bird is pretty mellow, he may do better with a bird that is also a little more laid back.

 

[AKahle6868]

This is a tricky one. I don’t really think there is a best time to introduce another bird to your flock as I’ve seen birds of different ages get along with no problem. I would generally try to stick to the same breed of bird as lovebirds and parrotlets can be aggressive toward other birds. The most important part is to introduce them properly. You’ll have to get another cage setup for the new bird and keep their cages within sight but not right against each other. Move them closer over time and eventually let them meet on neutral space (an unfamiliar perch or counter space) not on your body. Remember that some birds may never get along with others and you may end up with two birds that hate each other but will still need time out of the cage with you. I would try to match the newcomers personality to Robot. You wouldn’t want a loud, busy bird with a laid back, chill bird. Also be aware that Robot’s behavior may change if you get a new bird. She might get jealous or feel upset by the newcomer. I feel if you are going to get Robot a friend, I would do it while you have the time to monitor their reaction and behavior towards each other. Another option is to try an find a job that affords you more time at home once you’ve completed your degree?

What ever you decide, I wish you all the luck in the world.

 

[Zara]

I am toying with the idea of getting one of them. The problem is that kakarikis are pretty hard to sex, and the last thing I want is to bring home a male and for them to breed.

Would it be possible to DNA sex the birds and then you could choose a hen? The person who has these birds may be open to the idea, and you sometimes get a discount on multiple tests.

 

[Young Parent]

Thanks everyone, this has been helpful! I am open to more suggestions, but as of now I've decided to hold off on introducing a new bird to the flock. Robot and I have a good thing going, and I don't want to take on more than is absolutely necessary. If a rescue case comes up, then I'll reconsider my options. Even if Robot got on famously with another bird, I don't think I'd ever allow them to share a cage...I used to run an aviary with my father, and I have seen how quickly birds turn from amicable to murderous. I'll see how Robot does over the next few years and adjust accordingly

 

[Davi]

Thanks everyone, this has been helpful! I am open to more suggestions, but as of now I've decided to hold off on introducing a new bird to the flock. Robot and I have a good thing going, and I don't want to take on more than is absolutely necessary. If a rescue case comes up, then I'll reconsider my options. Even if Robot got on famously with another bird, I don't think I'd ever allow them to share a cage...I used to run an aviary with my father, and I have seen how quickly birds turn from amicable to murderous. I'll see how Robot does over the next few years and adjust accordingly

This sounds like a VERY GOOD PLAN to me, Mia! And say hello to Robot from us please

 

[lexalayne]

I remember asking myself this question. It wasn’t long before I just had the plain old “parrot bug” - can’t stop at just one. And once u catch that they just seem to appear.

A friend calls u and needs help ... the poor parrot in the pet store ... u find yourself on petfinder ...

And not saying now but maybe someday