Hi Janet
I'm thinking of getting a new bird that can be a companion for my Quaker Parrot. However, I don't know what are the chances that my parrot might feel like his new friend is invading his place. I heard once that it doesn't matter whether it's a same sex or opossite sex partner, many animals feel like their own space belongs to them and no one else, and hardly ever allow anyone to intrude. I guess that goes for birds as well.
But since you know a lot more about birds than me, perhaps you can tell me.
Hi!
You can certainly keep more than one parrot for a pet, but its important to realize that they could turn out to be the best of friends, they could just ignore each other, and they might flat out hate each other. Unfortunately, you can't just go buy another bird, put it in the old birds cage, and have them get along great. A parrot regards his cage as his/her territory (This is why some parrots will bite if you extend a hand to them inside their cage, but will be just fine if you do the same outside the cage.), and a parrot regards you as their person. If you are going to get another quaker parakeet, they will probably one day be able to live together in one large cage, if you do the introduction slowly. I usually first keep the new bird in its own cage in a different room, to let them hear each other but not see each other (its also a good idea to keep a new bird quarantined for a couple of weeks anyway, to avoid spreading any diseases to the old bird. Always wash your hands after handling the new, before touching/playing with the old.). After that time period, I put them in the same room, the cages next to each other so they can see each other, but not touch each other. Be sure to give each bird equal attention. You don't want your old bird thinking he's lost his buddy to an interloper ;-). After a time, if that goes well, you might try opening the cage doors, and letting them explore each others environments (have a spray bottle of water closeby to break up fights if they occur). You never know how it will go. I have had birds act like they've known each other all their lives, and others who hate each other forever, or ignore each other at best. It depends on the individual. If you're going to get a different breed of bird, its probably best to never try to let them live in the same cage. Birds can derive alot of company by another bird sitting beside them, or even in the same room. And birds of different species can coexist quite peacefully in a neutral area, such as a playstand, or even the back of the couch, wherever you let them have their playtime. Right now I have a Congo Grey and a Blue Fronted Amazon sitting side by side, yet they never even attempt to get at each other, or even enter each others cages. Just depends on the bird.
*edit* and no, it doesn't matter if the new parrot is male or female, but if your Quaker is a male, and you get another Quaker that is a female, you might one day have to purchase a nestbox as well! ;-)
Good luck!
I have two little blue parakeets left now. :-) I raised them myself, and handfed them. Their mom was an American blue, dad was an English blue. They were a great pair, had lots of pretty big albino babies as well as many different shades of blue. The guys I have left are 11 years old now, fat and lazy. LOL! but I'll miss them when they finally pass on. Blue is my all time favorite parakeet color.