Taming and two Birds

[sunnyvmx]

I'm caught in a deliema. I have always had five or six birds at one time when I was working. Now I wanted the close bonding with one bird, but it's impossible to start with a hand held bird in Mexico. I have been working with Pepe for four months and he's made progress everyday so someday I believe I will be able to scratch his head and maybe he will bond with me if he's lonely. That's what bothers me. I always enjoyed watching my birds play together, but I wasn't bonded with any of them. Pepe is happiest outside with the wild birds around. Inside he plays half heartedly and spends most of the afternoon looking out the window at the other birds. I have begun to feel sorry for him and I'm contemplating getting him a friend. I believe I'll lose the bonding altogether with two birds as they will have each other, but I will trade that for two happy birds. I'll choose another male and be sure that he's not aggressive. I watched Pepe in the pet shop window play with his friends and he was so happy. I would continue training and working with both birds, but I would like your thoughts and experiences on one bird vs. two. I'm still wavering back and forth everyday and I guess in the end I want to do what's best for Pepe instead of getting what I wish for.

[clawnz]

Hi Sunny.
I was and am like you. I always wanted that super hand tame buddy.
Once I got a bird I became more concerned with the birds needs not mine. So ended up have a small flock, because Tiels are flocking birds.
I am not saying it is wrong to keep a single bird. But feel they should have company most of the time.
And and as I work could not be there all the time.
You will not lose that bond if you add another bird, in my opinion.
It can work out. I feel it is harder when you start with two and have to work with them, than having one and then adding another. The bond you have with the first bird will remain strong.
It will take more effort though, and could take longer.
My first bird was a young aviary girl, but she became hand tame after about 6months. She was a lone Tiel. I have had other relationships with birds I have come into contact with. But my own flock are allowed to act as a flock and I do not go out of my way to train them, so it makes for special moments when they choose to come to me. I feel I am still part of that flock.

[sunnyvmx]

Thanks Clawnz for your insights. Right now I feel the important thing is to carefully pick the right friend for Pepe. He's never shown any aggression and he's not shy or timid so I'm hoping to pick another tiel that's similar in temperament. I'll keep them in separate cages (side by side) that I can carry outside each morning and then permit playtime together on the gym in the afternoon. In this way I can train them separately too and who knows maybe some day they will like getting their head scratched.

[Marrie]

As long as you work with them separately (away from their mate) for taming, you can tame a bird if they have a mate. You will not have as close a bond most likely as with a solo bird, but it gets you the best of both worlds.

[sunnyvmx]

I definitely can live with that and thanks Marrie for the positive thoughts. I have hired a taxi this time for the trip to the pet shop 3 1/2 hrs to Veracruz and then return with Meeko, I hope. No bird smuggling on the bus for me this time. I also plan to pick up a small power washer for the garden patio. This should make cleaning the cages a snap. Of course, the birds should maybe be on their play gym inside. I live in two worlds now, english and mexican, I enjoy both.