Birds – Getting Along With Each Other

Fact: not all birds like each other. So if having just one
feathered friend in your house isn’t enough for you then please
keep that in mind before going out and stocking up on a few of
these as pets.

The sad truth is, most bird owners dream that they can buy any
kind of bird, group them all together in one little cage and
have a wonderful utopia where everyone gets along. Even though
many birds are easy to get along with, there are some that are
very territorial, possessive, jealous, aggressive and just flat
out nasty towards other birds. This makes populating your bird
cage with several specious a potentially explosive situation.
Often times, birds of the same species can learn to get along,
even in a confined space. But it is potentially dangerous to
place two birds of different species in a cage together. You’re
practically invited a steal cage death match.

Having said that, there are many birds of different species that
live harmoniously together all over the world, even in the wild.
But this is the exception rather than the rule. Even birds of
the same species don’t get along just like not all humans get
along.

Before attempting to introduce your bird to a cage mate you
should take a realistic look at your bird and evaluate him. Is
he docile? Does he get along well with you? Or is he a biter and
nasty? If your bird already has a rotten disposition, chances
are that if you bring home a friend he is going to be road kill
before the night is over. Birds of the same type of temperament
usually get along together. For example, a bird who is naturally
curious will get along very well with another bird who is
naturally curious. They will probably spend most of the time
getting to know each other. This usually leads to a harmonious
relationship.

It would be easy to say that there is a general rule of thumb
when it comes to what birds will get along with what birds. The
experts say that if a bird can get along with a species so
different from itself, such as us humans, then theoretically
they should be able to get along with another bird, even if it
is of another species. The truth is, sometimes they will get
along and sometimes they won’t. The only hard and fast rule is
this. If one of the birds is much smaller than the other, make
sure the smaller bird is the one who came first. Also make sure
the new roommate is a younger bird so it won’t try to eat the
smaller bird right away. This will give the two time to get to
know each other and possibly form a bond. Baby birds in general
have an easier time adapting to another bird. Trying to get two
full grown birds of different species to get along is just
looking for trouble, especially if one is much larger than the
other.

Make sure you monitor the situation. If it appears there is
going to be trouble don’t wait for the worst to happen. Remove
the newer bird from the cage. You don’t want to remove the
original bird because it is used to its surroundings and you’re
only going to upset it.

Bottom line is this. When attempting to integrate two birds
together do so with caution. Just like with people, not all
birds, even of the same species, get along.