one bird v. two

[LovelySydney]

When I was at the vet this morning I was telling him about Gus's screaming marathons and behavior patterns. He told me that Gus might not be handling losing his 'flock' well? He was with many other birds and the vet said the trauma of going from that to another home and then to ANOTHER home (me) may have him confused and/or lonely for a friend.

He told me that some birds do better in a two bird home than only one. Is this true? I would hate to think that Gus is sad being all alone, but I guess it would make sense when you're used to having other birds around. My friend has a lovebird and she's been looking for buddy for it - although I DO NOT want to lose Gus, if it is true that he'd rather be with two birds and not alone, it's a sacriface I would make if he would be happier. Plus, I would know where he was and that he's in a good place. We cannot have two birds at this time so it doesn't make sense for me to get another one right now, but I do want Gus to be happy.



So basically I'm just asking if there is any truth to this 'some birds are better with bird companions' conversation my vet and I had. I just want my little one to be happy and I'm afraid I might just not be enough for him (or her). It makes me so sad even thinking about it.

Sorry if I'm rambling -- I'm kind of on information overload today! :)

[linda040899]

I've actually seen this work both ways. Many birds prefer not to be only birds but I've seen some that don't want to share their humans with anything that wears feathers!! Echo, my male Abby, is OK with other birds around, but none are allowed to share his cage. His cage is his castle and he got very aggressive when I tried to give him a companion. He grew up with a Peachfaced Lovie so he's used to being with other birds but he's decided his space is his space and that's all she wrote!!! It's amazing how much power he can muster up with that crossed beak of his!!!

The decision is yours and it sounds like you are thinking about Gus and his welfare. That's the way it should be and I would give it a bit of time to see if he settles down. He may or he may not.

[LovelySydney]

thanks for the response Linda - I did some searching on the board and saw that there are a lot of people who started with one bird and then ended up getting two because their birds needed a companion other than their human. When Gus hears birds outside our window he goes crazy and attempts to fly to the window - he will call them for hours, which might be why he is so vocal. I truly do want what's best for Gussy. Having him go to another home is obviusly not my ideal situation but if it makes him happy that is all I want him to be.

I'm going to give it another week, see how his behavior continues to develop and go from there. If we do end up re-homing Gus we will no doubt be heartbroken, but the positive will be that I can see him whenever I want and will always know how he is doing. Plus, him being happy is our main concern so it will be worth letting him go knowing he will live a happy life with another lovey.

[LovelySydney]

Gus flew into our bay window about 20 minutes ago. He heard birds chirping outside and just went for it. We are so lucky he isn't hurt. He didn't gain that much speed thank God but he could have been killed. We have him now in the computer room on his playgym but he is squaking away, trying to make contact with the birds outside.

My heart is just breaking. I'm feeding him millet and sunflower seeds right now and he's eating them happily. This is going to be a very hard decision. It makes me want to cry. My boyfriend feels like if we keep him we will just feel guilty like we are holding him back, but if we let him go we will just miss him. He's such a good bird. This is like having a child who goes off to college! lol - I just don't know if Gus would come around fully on his own. I think he would be so much more independent and content with a friend. He's OK with my boyfriend and I, he will take food from us but he isn't a lovey bird, which is fine. He prefers to be on his own and exploring on his own. It just makes me think that he's looking for someone.

bah....this all just makes me sad. I might just not be meant to have a lovebird!

[bookworm0550]

you just got him right? give him time to settle down. give him another 2 to 3 weeks. i don't think he's looking for another bird, I think he's just being a bird and exploring. is he clipped?

[LovelySydney]

Yea I definitely will give it time bookworm. I just want to make sure he's happy!! We are going to give it probably 2-3 weeks like you have suggested. We don't want to just rush and send him on his way, we want to make sure we are doing the right thing. If I could get another bird, trust me, I would in a heartbeat! but at the moment, and with the economy the way it is, I don't want to risk not being able to care for it to the best of my ability.

He is clipped but I think they MUST be growing in because he DOES fly. & it's not full fledged flying but its flying nonetheless. Where can I go to get him clipped? I don't want to do it myself, although I know how I don't want to run the risk of messing up.

[bookworm0550]

you can take him to the vet. i'm sure they'll have an assistant do it. i sure hope it works out cuz i know you love that gusgus bird :) i know, Pan took a month to settle in and that whole month I kinda let him watch us and do his own thing. I tried to interact w/ him, but he always flew away. Now that he's settled in and clipped, I'm working on him to trust me, but it's so hard!!!!!! All I am allowed to do is feed him treats from my hand. If i'm lucky he'll let me pet him, but that's rare. Oh well. Most of the time, I'm waiting for him to come to me, which he does sometimes, but usually cuz the other two are on me and he wants to join in. I know he trusts me enough to nap on me sometimes and to take food from me, but I don't think he really cares for me.

[Enko_chan]

I agree with bookworm about giving it more than a week. I know that many birds, even ones with pairs who aren't lonely will fly toward (and into) a window* and call out to other birds. He MAY very well be lonesome and pining, just as the vet suggested, but maybe not.

It is entirely possible that after multiple rehomings, he may be having a tough time settling down and feeling "at home".

*We keep windows covered, or add the little stickies that birds can see but appear transparent to human eyes.