Introducing a Second Bird

User Question
I have always had two parakeets for 35 years. When one dies, I get another. They always chirp loudly and I love it. Two weeks ago, one of my parakeets died and a few days later I bought another one to replace her. My new bird does not make a sound and has difficulty flying as one wing appears not to work too well. Now my other bird has stopped chirping almost completely. I don't know what to do? Can you advise me? I would certainly appreciate it. Thanks so much for your wisdom and your time.

Lisa's Answer
I do have a lot of tips on having more than one bird but as much as it might have worked for you in the past, it's never a good idea just to put the new bird into the cage with the existing bird. First, the new bird might have an illness which would then kill both of them off. You always want the new bird quarantined and checked over by a vet. Then second, birds have unique personalities and nobody likes a stranger stuffed into their comfortable home. You should hand train the new bird and then let the birds get used to each other slowly, so they can learn to be friendly with each other on their own terms. When both birds are tame and flying free, they can decide for themselves when to start sharing a cage.

Now that they're together, I wouldn't separate them, but it is important to understand why they are not necessarily thrilled to be together. Birds have very unique personalities. You didn't mention if they were the same sex or different sexes, that of course makes a big difference.

But in any case, definitely take the new bird to a vet if you haven't already, for the standard new bird checkup. He can tell you what is going on with the wing. Then from there you can know what steps to take to help that, and you can work on the hand training so that your new bird can soon come out and hang out with your existing bird, and become friends.

All Questions in this Category

List of Parakeet Question Categories

NOTE: Because of the huge volume of incoming questions, I no longer answer them one by one. Instead, we have created a live, free Parakeet Forum which is very active, where people are online 24 hours a day to help you with your parakeet related questions. If you have any questions about parakeet care - or simply want to share your parakeet stories and photos - please join us!

Parakeet Forum