What's the best way to find a friend for my Cockatiel?

Question

I've had tweety for about 13 years. He's not very friendly because I did not work with him well when I was younger. I'm out of the house a lot with work, but try to talk to him every evening. I was thinking of getting him a buddy, but I don't think it would be a good idea to just get one from a pet store. What if he doesn't like his new buddy? Would it be possible to bring Tweety to a store and have him pick a buddy?

Answer 1

Traveling stresses birds out, and taking him into a pet store will expose him to sicknesses.

Keep him home and look for a cockatiel from someone who has to "rehome" theirs.  Cockatiels from families are more likely to be healthy, and won't be stressed out from living at a pet store.

Keep them in seperate cages where they can see and hear each other for a while.  The first face to face meet and greet should be outside their cages in "neutral territory".

Be prepared for them to hate each other.

There's no guarantee they'll get along.

Answer 2

No this would not be a good idea.  Most responsible pet stores will not allow it and it is a risk to your bird because of the risk of disease being spread.    Your bird has been a solo bird for 13 years and often a bird that has been alone for that long does not do well with other birds.  If he has been happy as a solo bird for 13yrs there is no need to disrupt his life at this point in time.   If you want to get another bird then get a separate cage for it and keep it quarantined for at least a month, before trying to introduce it to Tweety.  However only get another bird if you want it for its own sake and not just as a companion bird for Tweety and be prepared that Tweety may not accept the new bird and you may always have to keep them seperate.

Answer 3

Get another cockatiel for sure, because I have a few and I know from experience its better to keep them with their own kind. They get along much better. I wouldnt worry too much about them not getting along because if they are in the same cage they are most likely going to be forced to adapt. For my birds, it took a bit for them to get used to where each other stood as far as ego but they adjusted and have become good buds. Your bird should get along fine with another cockatiel.

Just know that you have to give each bird the same amount of attention to avoid jealousy and problems with behavior. If you really think Tweety is too violent do not get him a buddy but if not, I think it is a great idea to get him a friend its always nice if they cant get enough attention from you. Just make sure its another COCKATIEL.

and no, the bird will not "choose" a buddy he wont understand what is going on and it wont matter. It is not a good idea to just take your bird in there, because the pet store wont let you put the bird in with the others or anything so its pointless, its much better to choose yourself. Your the owner. Your bird will get used to the bird you pick regardless. Just make sure if you get one from a pet store, to look into the health records to make sure its a healthy bird and just by looking at it you should be able to tell if something is weird, just be safe anyway and ask for a background.