New Flock Member

[Vumes]

So we have Annie our CAG, and just got a 5 month old Yellow Sided Green Cheeked Conure and I was just wondering how long I should wait until letting them on the same playstand together. Their cages are in the same room, about 5 feet from each other. I bring my CAG close to its cage just so she can see him, and she checks him out, but no reaction at all. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[Trinkapuppy]

Personally, I have a number of different birds of different sizes, and I never leave any of them together unless I'm standing RIGHT there.

Even then, I don't tend to leave a very small bird like a GCC in beak reach of a much bigger bird like a CAG. It would only take 1/2 second of non-attention on my part, and the GCC could be maimed or worse. That's my personal take on it--I'm sure that others will have different recommendations.

 

Congrats on the new addition, though, and good luck! =0 ) I just adore GCC's, and am currently looking to adopt one! hehe

[judygram]

Congrats on the new addition of a conure, you will love this little bird as I have a sun conure, she is a delight.

Be careful of allowing the two of them to get too close especially if they don't get along. I cannot put my grey on a playstand with my conure as they do not like each other but I do have them out at the same time, my conure is the more aggressive of the two but my grey could inflict greater damage if she so pleased so I keep them a safe distance from one another. If they do get along then be sure to supervise them when together for it could only take a second for something bad to happen.

[Luvparrots]

I also have two parrots that do not get along. My grey I have had for almost 3 years and she is quite aggressive around my zon, who is twice her size. I have had the zon for 10 months and things are not better. Louie has only learned to stand his ground and that's not a good solution. Please keep an eye on your two parrots to see if they will like each other. I wish you the best of luck in that regard.

[Vumes]

Thanks for the info. How should I introduce the two? I'm kind of weary of having one on the other's cage because I don't want one to get upset over that, but if I don't put them on the same playstand at least once together, how will I know if they will get along or not?

[MarcusCAG]

If they're both flighted, it should be less of an issue. Somebody can always fly away if things get too iffy between them... Although I wouldn't put one on the other's cage, personally, because of the possible aggression due to a breach of territory as well as the possibility of nipped toes!

 

Perhaps have one of them step up and bring them close to the other--if there is the concern that they might lunge, keep one in the cage during this process. You can say all your names together and act so happy, you're just one big happy flock, and getting them in closer proximity you can see if there is any posturing or any curious welcome signs or even indifference. But even if first impressions are not the greatest, the animosity and/or jealousy may mellow over time, just make sure everyone stays safe and sound whenever they're out together.

[katana600]

I think you are doing the right things, letting them see one another in cages located close enough to have them get used to the other one being in the same area from a safe distance. The bird you have had the longest should get your first attention, feed it first, greet it first etc. That seems to be big in diffusing jealousy issues from the onset. As time goes along, you will get an idea of how close you can get them together without mayhem. We have had Gilbert three months now and I can have him and our smaller first-bird Java out at the same time and there is no more dive bombing and attack reactions from her. He is not flighted as yet and she is, so I do have to be on my feet every second if she leaves my shoulder or my immediate location. Be very careful and have a plan to separate them if you have an altercation. We had a bad moment with a cockatiel when we were new to birds. Java landed on the cage of our foster-bird cocktiel. He pinched her toe and she snatched his head right through the bars and put a crimp in his beak. He was okay but it happened in a flash and could have been much worse. Now, I carefully plan our meetings and introductions when the vet is open rather than on weekends. You just never know, your two may end up as preening buddies, mine may eventually, but that is not the way they see it today.