When I got my first parrot at the age of 17, I was told by someone in my family that I should keep them in pairs, or else they’d be unhappy.
I found that to be untrue as my bird seemed to be content and cheerful on its own.
But as I went to college, I had less and less time for my parrot, and I noticed it grew bored and appeared somewhat depressed.
I realized that maybe my parrot was not happy being all alone and needed a companion.
This is a concern for many parrot owners who aren’t able to give enough time to their birds. But is there any truth to this claim?
It is generally better to raise parrots in pairs. Research suggests parrots that are kept in pairs tend to be happier, more active, and less prone to loneliness and boredom.
That being said, there is nothing wrong with keeping parrots solo. It can be a wonderful thing to grow your flock but you shouldn’t do it just to bring a cagemate for your parrot. I believe that parrots can be happy bonding with their owners as long as they are taken good care of.
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Why You Should Keep Parrots In Pairs
Parrots in the wild are never by themselves. They fly in pairs and protect each other from dangers. This is why even as pets, they have a strong natural desire to live with members of their flock. In captivity, parrots can consider their caregivers as their flockmates but it is not the same thing as having the same species of parrot.
They’re Happier Together
Parrots look for companionship to be happy, whether it is with another parrot or their owners.
A single parrot can bond with its owner and be happy, but it cannot get the kind of socializing opportunities that it can by being with its own kind.
Research suggests that parrots kept in pairs are generally happier and less likely to have behavioral problems.
A study conducted by Applied Animal Behaviour Science aimed to understand how keeping young parrots alone might affect their behavior compared to those in pairs. (Full Study)
They took 21 baby parrots and raised them with their parents until they were 6 months old.
Then, they put half of them in cages by themselves (singly housed) and the other half in cages with another parrot (pair housed).
The study found that paired parrots were happier. The parrots in pairs used their toys more, screamed less, preened less, and were more active compared to the ones kept alone.
Improved Learning
Parrot owners often think that training two birds at the same time is more difficult and that they won’t be able to focus on any one of them properly.
But that is not the case. Parrots in pairs are in fact quicker to learn new things.
You might find that in certain situations, it is much easier and faster to train both parrots. It is like one learns and the other one just follows.
Parrots are flock animals and will go to each for support and guidance. They can teach each other how to adapt and live in their new environment.
They Won’t Get Bored
One of the most common issues with captive parrots is boredom. It is difficult for most of us to stay with our parrots at all times, which can become the reason for so many behavioral issues in parrots.
Leaving them alone for long hours can promote feelings of anxiety and make parrots feel depressed.
However, when your parrots have each other, they may not ever get bored, even when you’re out for a while.
The two of them can keep each other stimulated by playing, communicating, and connecting with their surroundings.
They’re More Secure
Parrots living in pairs feel more secure and comfortable in their environment. In the wild, parrots live in flocks, which fosters a feeling of security.
They look out for each other, stay alert to dangers, and always fly together. When parrots are kept in pairs, it naturally simulates their habitat, offering a sense of comfort and safety.
Problems With Keeping Parrots In Pairs
Having parrots in pairs can be a good idea in many ways, but it does come with its own risks. Below are the risks you should be aware of keeping parrots in pairs:
More Work For You
While it’s no extra work to train two cagemates simultaneously, it does not mean that your job gets easier. Having a second bird means twice the number of droppings to be cleaned and more mess around the cage.
The cage and other utilities such as food and water bowl will get dirtier faster so you will need to be doing a lot more cleaning than usual.
Together the parrots can also double up on the noise they make. So if your neighbors had already been complaining about your bird’s noise, they won’t be thrilled to know that you’re getting another one.
Sexual Frustration
The mating season for parrots is not just about laying eggs. It involves practices such as courting a mate, building a nest, and guarding the eggs.
It is an instinctual behavior that all parrots exhibit regardless of whether they’re in the wild or captivity.
During the mating season, parrots can become uncontrollably weird, doing inappropriate things to their toys and other objects. And this is not helped at all by the presence of a cagemate.
Getting a mate for your hormonal parrot can be a bad idea. Being housed with a mate will only intensify the parrot’s sexual frustration.
Possibility Of Conflict
If two parrots have been raised together, the possibility of a dispute is low. But some parrots can be aggressive, especially if their cage mate is a new bird entering their territory.
In some cases, parrots may not do well in pairs. It’s possible that your parrots will not get along and may even fight each other.
If the birds aren’t a good fit for each other, there may be hostility between the two. Sometimes even the same species of birds may not get along and cause harm to one another.
Excessive Allopreening
As buddies, parrots help each other out in various activities. They feed each other by regurgitating food in one another’s mouths and also help preen the feathers.
However, sometimes one parrot can get a bit overenthusiastic and over preen the other bird, particularly on the head. So if you notice your parrot losing feathers on its head, this might be the reason.
Less Attention For You
Parrots are considered to be “one-person birds,” which means they form strong bonds with one specific individual, often their owners.
They may interact with other people and family members but single parrots often tend to be more possessive of their owners.
Parrots that are kept in pairs might become less dependent on you for social interaction. They may still have a bond with you but you might not be as close to them.
This means that they may not be willing to be petted as much as before or spend time playing with you.
When Should You Consider Getting A Cagemate For Your Parrot?
Whether or not you should get another parrot depends on how much time you have and if you will be able to take good care of both parrots.
You shouldn’t get a cagemate for your parrot if it is unhappy and having behavioral problems. That may only worsen the situation as the parrot can see the new bird as a competition and become hostile towards it.
If you’re considering getting a new bird, you should introduce it to your parrot gradually and under close supervision. You can start by keeping them in separate cages within the same room and observing their behavior towards each other.
Let them out to interact and play and see if they like each other. Treat them both as equals. No one bird should feel like it is being neglected. That may again make them jealous.
Parrots of the same species will generally acquaint quicker and become friends.
However, if you’re thinking of getting a companion of a different species you do need to consider a few things.
It can be great to have a whole flock around you. But you need to make sure that the ones you keep together are compatible with one another.
Not all parrots get along well and some can be too aggressive for others. If you’re deciding on growing your flock, make sure to research and take advice from breeders on what type of birds would be safe to be kept together.
Conclusion
Life alone in the cage can be very depressing for a parrot, especially when its only source of social interaction is us. So it can be better to house them with a mate. This way won’t rely completely on us for mental stimulation.
If you work long hours, keeping a parrot housed single may not be the right thing to do. The parrot needs someone to keep it company but it cannot be a pet sitter as they usually only bond with their primary owners.
However, for most people, having more than one bird can be a challenge. To have two birds can be a huge commitment and you need to put in time and effort. And as much as we all love the experience of having to care for our parrots, it may not be feasible for everyone and it is totally understandable.
Parrots on their own can live a happy life with their owners. If you cannot afford to have another bird, you can still be the best friend of your parrot. You just need to spend a little more time with them to strengthen your bond.
