Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone!

I've just joined as i was wondering about an aviary I'm planning to build. I have a 5year old Eclectus parrot at the moment that i've had since she was a chick, and as my shifts are now 13 hours long, she is starting to suffer a bit with loneliness, and although no substitute, i thought birds was a second best option to a human!

I had considered giving her up, but could not bear to be parted from her, and due to a medical condition she has, i would rather not have someone else look after her as she adores me and my cat and partner, as is the reverse.

So in any case we decided on an aviary to keep her company rather than introduce a new bird(s) into the house so as to prevent jealousy and so on i thought an outdoor aviary would give her entertainment. It will be by the conservatory doors she can look out of and so should be clearly visible to her.

The plans appear to be getting larger by the minute! I have been trying to research selections of birds, but to no great avail. I love the parrotlets so was thinking of going along that route. As it stands the birds i would like in there are celestials, rosa bourkes, lineolated parokeets, love birds and cockatiels and perhaps a smaller ones such as finches. I was wondering what people thought of that as a selection.

Any advice on the aviary would be greatly received,

Thanks

K

As it stands the birds i would like in there are celestials, rosa bourkes, lineolated parokeets, love birds and cockatiels and perhaps a smaller ones such as finches

Personally I am not a great fan of too much diversity in an aviary. That being said I would suggest sticking with the Rosey Bourkes, lineolated parakeets and possibly even American or English Budgies. Or going with more of the finch type family including Gouldians, society, spice and zebra finches. I know love birds and cockatiels can be set up as aviary birds but IMHO they work better as "tamed" "family" birds. I would also never set up cockatiels in the same cage as most in the budgie/parakeet family or lovebirds. Cockatiels even though larger are a more mellow birds I have received and seen cockatiels that have been mutilated by budgies and yes others in the parakeet family. I have also seen love birds mutilate and kill birds their own size and larger. So I would not suggest either of those in an aviary setting unless you are going to only have cockatiels or only have lovebirds. That being said I am sure there are those out their that have had great luck with housing many of them together and never had a single problem but I am usually just one of the better safe than sorry types. Let us know what you decide

Thanks!

We have decided on some bourkes, turquoisines, splendids, cockatiels and possibly some other parakeets such as red rumps or kakarikis depending on how things go. The aviary has ended up even larger than anticipated! The lineolated may arrive in the collection, but alot will depend on housing etc for the winter as i know they are susceptible to the cold....

Any further comments or advice would be great! thanks

K