Should I pair again?

[jessief423]

Well, I've been working with Marlie for a little over a month now and haven't bonded with her very much at all. With our training, it seems like she is going backwards and this discourages me a lot. Do you think that since she no longer has Scooter it is harder for her to have a relationship with me? I got her to keep him company and never worked with her too much before. She doesnt have the same will to want to learn more, as Scooter did. So I'm thinking of getting another p'let, probably male (Marlie is probably a boy, but she'll be a she for a while. Until I can get used to saying he, lol) I just want her to be happy, and she isnt coming along as I'd like, I'm sure she's lonely. She calls me when i leave the room but when i come to her she doesnt want to step up, come out of her cage, let me scratch her head, or practice anything. Do you think this would be the right thing to do? Also, her flight frathers have partially grown in (about half) and she can fly, but doesnt! Is she waiting for the rest? I'm so confused! Thanks a lot. ~ Jessie

[pam311]

Each bird has its own personality and Marlie just may be a litlte aloof. I'm sure she misses Scooter as do you. I dont have a clue if pairing her would make her happier. It wouldnt hurt?

[catfish]

You have to be careful with paring though. What happens if Marlie doesn't accept the new bird either? You could be housing 2 parrotlets in 2 different cages...

I had to separate my 2 becuase they were over preening their heads and Gelato would chase Hpnotiq a little too much and frustrate her. SO, I'm having to save up and get a BIG cage for these 2 tiny little birds in order to ATTEMPT to get them to live in peace. When I let them out Gelato goes straight to me for about 15 minutes, then he flies back to Hpnotiq.

Each bird is different, some may not appreciate another bird's company anymore. I believe Memmey's little girl killed her mate prior to Mem getting her and is not very tolerant of other birds. Just think long and careful before getting another. I still think the majority of birds do seem a lot happier with a mate though, but not all will thrive like that.

[jessief423]

I already have another smaller cage that I bought when Marlie was a baby to quarantine her in. I'm thinking I'll get a young male and keep them separate until we've bonded. It's all up in the air, the bird show is in ten days and I don't get paid again for two weeks! Anyways, I think I'll get one from the breeder where I got Scooter but I'm in no hurry.