Young Male (I think) Parakeet Needs a bud

Question
We found a parakeet in our yard. An employee at a feed store who sells birds told me this bird was only about 12wks old. (This was about 6 weeks ago)I want to buy a companion for our bird - the cere is beginning to change color and it appears to be a pale blue, so I think "Tinker" is a male. How do I chose a buddy for him? I do NOT want mating birds, just a companion for him. The feed store only had adult male birds and said it would not be a good idea to buy an older male bird with such a young male as the younger one would get beat up/killed. When they get a new shipment of younger birds they are going to call me, but how old should by bird be to still introduce a younger bird as a companion? Should I get a male or female? How do I prevent mating? Thank you!!!

Answer
Hi Linda,

You can get a female just don't provide them with a nesting box and they won't mate, my two are male and female andhave never mated so it's quite easy to prevent breeding,so it'scompeltely your choice as to which sex you would like.
Your bird shouldn't be more than a year old to introduce a younger bird as what you were told is true.