I have 4 budgies and a cocatiel. The budgies are about 6 months old and the tiel is 4 months old. Last week the tiel got out of quarantine and i introduced him to my parakeets. They sleep in separate cages but in the morning they get to interact and play on the extensive jungle gym i've build. It's taken a week but the tiel is starting to sing and trying to imitate the budgies. They don't really interact on a physical level, the budgies seem to intimidate the tiel. Right now the tiel is clumsy and is still learning how to get around the jungle gym. Will they become friends and interact? I don't want the tiel to grow up feeling like an ugly duckling so i'm really hoping bird to bird interaction with other birds, even if it isn't another tiel, will be good enuf to encourage healthy development.
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budgies and tiels
Replies (1)
We have had budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds and finches all in the same room together. They seem to interact on some level. We do allow some of the lesser aggressive ones to "play" with each other with supervision as well. Sometimes they will seem to play together, others will pick at each other. We have had a budgie and cockatiel that love cuddling together on a swing in their play area for as long as allowed. But we have also had budgies who seem to think it is great fun to fly or climb by and try to pluck out the cockatiels crest or tail feathers, or to nip them on the feet.
I think it is possible for them to at least offer some level of companionship to each other. I believe having other birds in the same room or area does help to curb boredom among birds, which is why (except in quarantine) we always try to have at least 2-3 birds if not more in the same room.
Will they ever be "friends", it's really hard to guess. Each seem to have their own personality and behavior traits which can make them great friends or little pests to each other in the long run. I would never house them together because the way a budgie will begin to pick at another bird and pester them but I do think they could play well together if supervised.
