Purchasing Another Bird

Question
Hi, I have a fourteen year old Alexandrine Ringneck who has been alone for the full time.  I become guilty because I feel he's lonely when I leave my apartment and he will ignore me when I first come home. Would you recommend my purchase of a smaller Lutino ringneck? Should I keep it in the same cage or separately from my male Alexandrine? My reason for the purchase of a second would be to be a "friend" for my Alexandrine.  I also am hoping that it wouldn't create much noise as I live in an apartment. Thanks!

Answer
Well, if you work long hours then you might consider another bird playmate for your guy. Birds are flock animals and they don't like being alone, but if you don't really want to jump into a new bird, get him some bird music and put it on repeat while you are away, or leave the radio or t.v on.

Birds hate silence, and this might solve your issue with him being cranky with you when you get home!

As far as keeping a new bird in the same cage, always put a new bird in a cage next to the other bird so they can meet in safety through the bars, and then let them outside of their cage for the first few cage-free meetings. Birds can be quite territorial of the cages; especially with newcomers. If they get along outside of their cages then you can try putting them together inside the cage, just make sure when you put them inside together to make sure you will be home with them for a couple of days to break up any quarrels they might get into when caged together.

When caging birds together you really have to play it by ear and see how well they get along together. Your bird is older and he may or may not want a friend inside of his cage with him at this point, but I personally like my birds to have "friends" whenever possible. I believe it keeps them more emotionally balanced.


Blessings,
-m