parolets

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jennifer.

Yesterday I took my first steps into this exciting world and purchased two gorgeous pacific parolets. I was told by the guy in the pet shop that they were an 11 month old male and female pair. I am not sure if this is the case because although one is slightly bigger than the other they both have pretty much identical markings with the only visible blue being behind the eyes and on the back of the head. However, he told me the male's full colour may not come out until sexual maturity is reached at two years, again I am not sure if this is the case or not but I'm sure you can set me right.

So - I have a bit of a dilemma. Do I split these little guys up or keep them together? Ideally I would love to be able to handle them and play, train, tame etc. but I have read that this is often not a possibility with 'bonded' birds. Regardless, I am going to leave them in their cage together for the next week or so to get used to their new home but is it likely to be possible for me to ever interact with them if I leave them that way? They seem very content together and I would hate to cause undue stress for them by splitting them up purely for my own selfish reasons.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks in advance!

Ross
ANSWER: Hi Ross,

Congratulations on your new pets! Here is a website that explains sexual dimorphism in different parrolet mutations. It is possible you may not know for sure until they are mature.

http://www.parrotlets.com/Forpus.htm

Having a bonded bared does not mean you can't handle and have a relationship with each bird. It does mean that you will have to put more time into training them to establish a maintain that relationship. If possible I do prefer to keep birds in a flock setting, it is much more natural for them. And I actually find it easier, if I don't have time some days they can play with each other.

My website has links to help you get started. You are first going to want to train the step up behavior.

Have fun!

Jennifer
www.feathersandscales.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jennifer,

Thanks so much for that information and the links, your site looks great!

Are you able to offer any further advice specific to beginning training/taming paired birds? To start with the 'step up', for example, would you recommend getting one bird out the cage while leaving the other one in? At the moment whenever I get at all close to the cage both birds still seem quite anxious and huddle close together or fly to the other side of the cage, the other thing I have noticed is that they will try and position themselves side on to me in such a way so as to avert their gaze from mine. I am not sure how I would even separate them to stat the process without distressing them.

Thanks again,

Ross


Answer
Hi Ross,

You're welcome. You've asked some more great questions, although these types of questions are difficult to fully answer in this format. I'll do my best and direct you to some other resources.

Yes you should work with one bird at a time. Training more than one bird at a time is definitely an advanced skill! As for separating them, how were they handled to get into the cage? Do they step on your hand at all? Or were they grabbed? I would try taking the entire cage into a small enclosed room, open the door, put some favorite treats (treats that are only used for training) in your hand and see if they come out to you.

Here are some links to some answers I have given to other questioners. I believe these will help.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Parrots-1638/Timneh-Parrot-Please-help.htm

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Parrots-1638/PLEASE-HELP-2.htm


Also I recommend that you buy this book. It's great for beginning and experience bird owners. It covers all the basics and is easy to understand.

http://www.companionparrot.com/Companion%20Parrot%20Handbook.htm

Hope this answers your questions.

Jennifer
www.feathersandscales.com