parrotlettes

Question
the birds are over a year old and have been together for quite some time, they are very agressive towards the public in general and I would like to take the time to tame them ...would it be mean or dangerous to seperate them now and try to tame them.
thank you so much
wanda
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I have the chance to acquire 2 very pretty blue parrotlettes...they are two males that are bonded. Would it be cruel of me to seperate them and try to tame them?
-----Answer-----
Hi, Wanda.  Thanks for posting!

What do you mean exactly by "separating" them?  How old are these birds?  Are they siblings?  Are you sure these are 2 males and not a male/female pair?  How do you know these 2 birds are bonded?

Thanks.

Chrys

Answer
Hi again, Wanda.

It depends on the birds.  Every bird is different.  Some can be separated without much trouble, and some go through depression, start exhibiting bad behavior, start plucking their feathers, etc.  I've even had to separate some who were THRILLED to be away from the others!  However, I wouldn't have known this if I hadn't separated them (they weren't behaving badly toward each other or anything).  The only way you will know how these birds will handle this separation is to separate them and see!

Would this be mean?  Not in my opinion, but again, it depends on each bird's reaction.  It also depends on what you mean by separating them.  If you mean keeping them completely separate from each other so they never see each other, that's one thing.  If you mean separating them into individual cages, but they will still interact with each other, that's another thing.  Be aware, however, that in working with these birds, you will need to do so separately.  It will not work with them together at the same time.  You can still keep them in separate cages but close to each other, and work with each separately in a different room where you can shut the door.  

Dangerous?  Only if one of the birds reacts so negatively that the bird starts self-mutilating or suffering from severe depression that affects it's health.  But again, you won't know how they will react unless you separate them.

I would suggest you take baby steps with these birds in attempting to do what you want to do.  In other words, start out by letting one out of the cage at a time leaving the other inside.  After about 30 minutes, put the one in it's cage and let the other out.  See how they react.  They will most likely flip out at first!  Very gradually, start separating them from each other more and more.  With each change, don't make the next change until the birds seem "comfortable" with the change you just made.  I think this would be the best way to handle this situation where they've been together for so long, in order to minimize stress on the birds.  

You must be aware that birds prefer other birds to humans.  This is going to be tough with 2 birds in the home.  Not only do you have the problem of separating these birds, but taming them, too!  They will be under lots of stress, so take is slow and easy.  You'll need lots of patience!  I think your first step should be getting them used to being separate from each other for short periods of time.  Once they become comfortable with this, then start working to tame them down.  You don't want too much stress all at once.

Come back with any additional questions.

Chrys