Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it possible for a cockatiel who's been alone for quite some time eventually form a friendship and bond with another bird? I have a male and would like to adopt a female rescue, I know they'd have to be seperated for a long time while getting used to each other I was just wondering if the odds are against me on this one, he's been by himself for about seven years, but is obsessed with his mirror, which makes me think he might like a companion, any opinions?

It is definitely possible but I wouldn't adopt another bird with the only purpose being to make them eventual cagemates. Yes they would need to be separated for a quarantine period and then make a slow introduction in a neutral spot. If things work out great. If things don't work out be willing to have two separate cages and time to spare for both birds. It may be that they will get along immediately or it may take a little work. Even if they don't get along well enough to cage together they may provide companionship to each other from their separate cages.

Also the new bird does not necessarily need to be a female, in fact it may be better if it is not female. You will have to worry about egg laying, possible egg binding, trying to nest etc. Two males can get along wonderfully and in fact I have had much better luck in introducing a new male cage mate to an existing male cockatiel then bringing in a female mate. The females seem to be a bit more tempermental and more apt fo nip or fight with thir new cagemates (not saying males can't do the same just that females "seem" to do this more).

Let us know what you decide.

Thanks so much for your response! As of right now, I've printed and filled out an application form for the Lollypop Farm, a huge rescue organization where I live. I plan on going over there and looking at a few birds within the week. I bought a good sized cockatiel cage (supposed to be delivered tomorrow) so as of now I will have two cages.. if things don't work out then I have two cages lol!! There is a play center on top of the new cage so I'm hoping that after time, they can at least play together up there, but we'll see. I've done some reading and have decided that a male would probably be the better way to go. I didn't realize that two male tiels can bond just as easily as a male and female, that's just great for me because eggs were the last thing I wanted to worry about! I think at the very least my bird will love having someone to talk to, and am very excited.. I will keep you posted on what happens at the shelter =)

Well.. it was a busy week for me!! I drove an hour and ten minutes to the Lollipop Farm for them to tell me all their tiels had been adopted but there was one for adoption at another one of their locations a half hour away.. so I drove to THAT shelter and there was one boy left, ten years old.. an extremely sweet bird but terrified of hands, whoever dropped him off didn't fill out any paperwork, they just said they were allergic and he was ten years old (give me a break right...) and left him there. He was at the shelter almost three months, so they had done his quarantine, and had him looked over by a vet and had his testing done.. anyway me being the savior of unwanted animals fell in love immediately and said certainly I'll adopt him! This poor bird was SO scared.. I got him home and put him in the new big cage that I bought, in the same room as my bird, and as soon as they saw each other they were both stuck to the sides of the cage singing back and forth and going crazy! Soo.. I decided to let them meet by letting my bird climb around on the outside of the new cage, well they were both clinging to the cage with their chests touching singing away, it was so weet, like they had both been waiting years for a friend! Since the cage was new and neither one had claimed it as territory yet I decided to let my bird in and see how they were with each other, and they haven't been seperated since. Chick Pea (the new bird) is still way too scared to try to come out of the cage, not to mention the poor boy's wings are hacked.. but if I am on the computer I let my bird out to play, shred papers etc.. and as soon as my bird leaves the cage Chick Pea screams for him.. then he gets all flustered trying to get back into the cage, they're just too cute. Neither one of them has once been nasty. One snuggles up to the other's chest while they're singing.. it's just so adorable I'm so glad I adopted him! I'll post a picture =)

It sounds like you have a real sweetie to be on your hands. We'll look forward to pics!!