Will I lose my bond with my Conure if I get another parrot?

[Shelbs]

Hi all,

I have a 6 month male GCC who I have had for 4 months now and love dearly. We have an AMAZING bond and spend a ton of time together. He goes almost everywhere with me (including work).

We have considered getting another bird as my husband would like a bird to work with and bond with as well. We specifically have been looking into Caiques and there is one at the bird shop we are seriously considering.

My biggest concern is my bond with my GC being broken if I bring a new parrot home. I am trying not to be selfish, but I would be devastated if he didn’t care about me anymore. We have a large room with climbing gyms and perches etc. Ultimately, we would want to be able to keep them both in the bird room but we would house them in separate cages when we are not home and for sleeping.

Is it possible to have two birds that can co exist and still be bonded to their human “flock mates”? Any tips and advice are very appreciated.

 

[Emma&pico]

Hi
You would have to keep your new bird quarantine away different rooms from your first bird for a month to make sure the new birds healthy and get vet checks done this is time to bond with your new bird before introducing a new bird to your flock

@Shezbug @Zara @muzzley I know there’s someone on here who as I mixed flock with a gcc and caiques I am sure I’ve read they had a fight and for life of me I can only think of @Irishj9 who owns caiques could you please tag person I am tho king of if there even is one ?

have you done research on caiques ?

my bond hasn’t changed with my birds when I have bought a new bird home but I will say separate out of cage time when two birds don’t get along is hard
Worse case they fight normally best case is the tolerant each others company but personally with two different sizes of birds like that I wouldn’t risk it I am pretty sure caiques can do a lot of damage from bits I’ve read on here but no way an expert

I hope someone better can answer your questions
And wish you luck in your decision

 

[Shelbs]

Thank you!
We have done a lot of research (my husband has wanted a caique for a few years). I also talked to our vet about introducing a new parrot and took her advice on housing, introductions, etc. I in no way “expect” these two to hit it off and become great friends. In the event that they end up hating each other, we do have the means to still care and love each bird individually and make accommodations for separate spaces etc. From what research I have done, it seems likely that the two can get along based on their temperaments.
Before we made any commitment, I wanted to consult the masses. Thank you for your response and your advice.

 

[Wardy]

My bond didn't change with my first conure when I got my second.
The dynamic however will be different I wouldn't mix those two birds out of the cage together both birds have big personalities however caiques are a fair bit larger and could do a lot of damage to a conure that's not to say to conures couldt hurt each other.

 

[Mizzely]

I would never trust a caique with another species. They can and will kill other birds. It has happened here on the avenue. Green cheeks don't know they are small and won't back down from a fight.

As for your other question, it's impossible to predict how exactly your relationship will change. If your green cheek is pair bonded with you, it may choose to pair bond with another bird instead, which is a healthier relationship overall for everyone. If you guys are just friends though, the amount of change will likely be minimal. It really just depends.

 

[Pixiebeak]

I haven't owned a caque . But have read many stories of them attacking other birds and causing life altering damage like bite off feet and toes and beaks , and even killing....I personally wouldn't recommend having these 2 housed in the same room, as escapes happen.
On another forum , a friend had a caque in her bird room it escaped and attacked a quaker who is larger through their cage caused bloody wounds. Then a second time the quaker got out and d lost a foot ( plus almost died from blood loss) when landed in it's cage. That plus her never being able to have them out together led her to re home the caique

But I defere to those with experience of the species. .

Otherwise, fir me personally I've not had problems loosing my bond by adding other parrots. I do extended introduction after quarantine and really take my time making them part of the flock

 

[Irishj9]

I would never trust a caique with another species. They can and will kill other birds. It has happened here on the avenue. Green cheeks don't know they are small and won't back down from a fight.

The caique is a sumo wrestler. The conure is a lil ballerina. They should live continents apart and would never meet in the wild.
Its a VERY BAD MATCH. HIGH RISK of sudden conure death, or worse, beaten severely so it suffers while you are not looking.
Then the AMAZING vet bills while the conure dies from shock anyway

 

[Lee C]

I have seen wonderful relationships form among same-species parrots. I would definitely encourage getting your GCC a GCC! I was fostering a GCC and a friend asked me to board a GCC. They became close pals very quickly. It doesn't get any better than that! The foster left here with his boarder buddy to his new forever home.

 

[Lee C]

Oh, and to speak to the question of losing your bond, I think that is quite unlikely. Parrots are flock animals, and they seem to enjoy having multiple friends and companions. I volunteer at my local rescue, and I have many parrot-people friends now. Same-species companions is the way to go, and you still get to be important in their lives.