Parrotlets - Introducing a new bird

Question
Hello,

I have had a year old, hand-fed, female pacific parrotlet for the past 9 months.  She has been a great pet but I recently got a new job and have not been able to spend enough out of the cage time with her.  After thinking it over I figured that it would be better for her to have another bird to bond with that is with her all the time.  So, yesterday  I brought home a 4 month old, hand-fed parrotlet to keep her company and she was not as excited as I had hoped.
If they are both out together and in close proximity, say on top of their cages or with me on the couch, she will lunge at him and then start to attack rather violently.
They currently have two seperate cages that are placed side by side and I have a new larger cage for the two of them once they are ready.
Do you have any specific advice for my situation?
Thank you for your time in advance.
Brett

Answer
Hi, Brett.  Thanks for posting!

You need to leave these 2 birds in side-by-side cages until they get used to each other, particularly if there is violence involved.  What has happened is you have a bird who is jealous of your new bird.  The older bird doesn't want to share you/your attentions with the new bird.  Also, since they are strangers to each other, they need time to adjust to each other.  Not all birds get along together just because we want them to!  Getting them used to each other can take time.  Once you see them starting to get along through their cages, you can start letting them out together for short periods of time (under your supervision) to see how they do together.  Only when you see that they get along well together should you put them together in one cage.

Come back with any additional questions.

Chrys