Torn on whether to get a 2nd Conure

[Schwa83]

We have had Pickle, our Pineapple GCC for 2 years now. She will be 3 this December. She's a velcro bird, wants to be with either me or my spouse at all times. I work from home so she's out of the cage most of the day. I give her about an hour in the cage when I have lunch just to keep that part of expected behavior that sometimes she has to be in her cage. She's in the cage a bit more on weekends, as that is when we run our errands and go out to eat but still doesn't usually amount to more than 2-3 hours.

She not too big on being in the cage. Usually she'll be content for 30-45 minutes before she starts squawking to come out. When we leave the house, she just chills out in the cage. Doesn't eat/play until we get home (I have cameras on the cage).

Ideally, I think she'd love to have the constant companionship of a 2nd bird. We already have a 2nd cage, more than enough toys and food for a 2nd. But I worry about disrupting Pickle's comfort, as well as the other things that could go wrong (fighting/mating/etc).

We have seen a lovely little black capped Conure at the pet store. Seems very engaged, playful, unafraid and sweet natured. I tend to overthink and over analyze, and I'm not sure if I'm just focusing on all the possible bad scenarios that I don't give a chance for the good scenarios. Do I let well enough alone or try and add to our flock?

 

[owlsthetic]

Personally, I think as long as you're aware of all the issues of introducing a second bird as you mentioned and you both want the second bird I would go for it!

I currently only have one GCC at the moment but I do plan on getting a second. It won't be for at least a year or so though since I want to move into to my own place before doing so (am still living with my sister atm).

I do think it's good for their well-being to have the constant companionship of another bird when we're not around even if it's just calling to one another from different rooms/cages, but mostly I just want to give a good home to a second bird even if they might not bond with me as well
I think the most important is that you want the second bird and is in a comfortable position to provide the best that you can for both birds in every worst case scenario that may arise. Just my opinion though!

 

[FeatheredM]

Some birds definitely benefit from seeing other birds. Some are just antisocial. My sassy conure does not do too well with other birds, but she tolerates the budgies pretty well now. She hates my sisters cockatiel, but that is because he doesn't know how to interact with her. But my conure is also independent. She spends alot of time with me but still likes to entertain herself doing other stuff, I can also hear her squawking for more for if runs out, and playing with her bells. Your conure is different It's not a bad thing to get another bird, you just have to have the the time to interact with each bird individually in case they don't get along.