[natefused]

Hello everyone I am new to the forum. For the last couple of weeks I have been researching about parrotlets and would love to get one! This will be my first bird experience. What worries me is whether it is okay to have only one or a pair. I really hope that I could bond with it, teach some tricks and have some cuddles I am generally not at home from 9 am to 7pm since I work, I am at home on weekends and also work from home on Wednesdays. My fear is the parrotlet to get bored or feel lonely when I am not at home I am also concerned that I won't be able to train them or bond with them enough if I get a pair. I would love to have some advice from you guys.

Also sorry if there are some wrong word choices, English is not my first language

 

[ozzie3860]

Hello and welcome to the community
One parrotlet is just fine. It actually allows for a stronger bonding with your little buddy.
You timing can be sort of an issue but not much. The key is to spend about one hour of time with your little one a day to maintain a good relationship.
Given the amount of possible away time you have, be sure to let you little one have a cage with enough room they can fly and play around a bit so they can exercise when you are not around. When around they can come out and be around you.

 

[Tofu]

I only have one and she’s very close to me and my partner. We are a flock! I used to work similar hours and we were just fine. As previously mentioned about spending time together, I just scheduled time everyday when I got home to give my full direct attention to my p’lett for at least an hour. I work fully at home now but even while I’m there she doesn’t really pay me any mind until I’m off the computer for the day. She does just fine playing on her own without me.
I don’t think I would ever get another to complete the pair. I really love having one little best friend whose bonded to me and wants my attention!

 

[natefused]

Thank you @ozzie3860 and @Tofu ! I will spend time with him as much as I can and I will for sure find the biggest cage that has a suitable bar opening for the little one to have enough space. Do you have any tips for a beginner for when I bring him home for the first time? I read that I should give him some time to get comfortable with the environment, when should I first let him out of the cage?

 

[ginziputzi]

Hi there! Welcome to the forum! I will echo what has already been said - having one bird is completely fine and will allow your bird to bond with you rather than its little partner. I am retired now but the vast majority of my parrotlet’s 19 years was in a situation where I was away at work similar hours to yours. The key is as already said, dedicating time to him or her when you are at home. I will say that being away for long periods during the day may make your bird a little over-excited when you get home and parrotlets are very well known for biting to express emotions, so that is something to bear in mind. My interactions with Kiwi often started with a biting session that tempted me to put her back in her cage rather than interact with her (I was often pretty tired after work too) but it is really important to work through that emotional outburst (which can be simply happiness to see you) and get that quality bonding time in. The simple act of sharing a meal with her often got us through it, but sometimes not. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Anya]

Most of us only have one parrotlet and they are fine. If you only have only one hour to spend with them because of work, as Ozzie mentioned, make sure it is quality birdie time. It is very important that you interact with your bird every day. They are flock animals and need to socialize with us. We on this forum think parrotlets are the greatest birds on the planet, but they are not for everyone. Do your homework before you decide. If you get one, let us know!

 

[vkelman]

You timing can be sort of an issue but not much. The key is to spend about one hour of time with your little one a day to maintain a good relationship.

Currently we're working from home, but our previous parrotlet Petya lived with us 14 years, while both me and my wife were working every day at actual offices. Still, we had be very strong bonds with Petya. So, I agree with what Ozzie said.

It might be helpful if you could take a short vacation or something on the first week (or whatever you could) of parrotlet's living in your home. The bird will accommodate faster, also you'll notice if anything is wrong. That's what my wife did in the past.

The author of Pet Tricks YouTube channel always stressed that it is better to begin taming process immediate, rather than to wait until the bird gets used to a new place.

If the bird is afraid of you, try to avoid fast and sudden moves, sudden loud noises etc. Speak to it gently, move slowly, but spend enough time really close to the cage. Offering some millet from your hands or, at least, when your hands are being very close to a cage might be a good idea. They cannot resist millet. It should not be a main food, rather a treat.

In my opinion, there should not be many toys in a cage from the very beginning. The bird could be afraid of them. It's better to put just a few, and to add more slowly. In fact, it is better if the bird is a little bit bored at the first time, it might specify the bond to people.

It is very important to allow bird to spend time out of cages. When you begin depends on how tame is the bird, are its wing feathers clipped or not, etc. The more time outside the cage - the better. But at least in the beginning it must be supervised. Also make sure that windows and doors are closed and that bird cannot disappear in some closed spot inside your house. Untill the bird is fully established, there are many dangers there.

There is plenty of information / discussions about parrotlet food on this forum, but I also found the incredible informative Facebook group called The Parrot's Pantry The Parrot's Pantry | Facebook.
Another wonderful group is called Parrotlet Parents Parrotlet Parents | Facebook.

 

[natefused]

Hey guys thanks for all the advice. I have brought Bumi home 10 days ago. I am trying to spend time with him as much as I can. He doesn't seem to be scared of my hand. I have been giving him some food from my hand since day 1 and he is such a cutie. After a couple of days together he started allowing me some head scratches. Today I have let him out of his cage, and he seems to want to hang out with me. 🎉 We will work on commands like step up for sure. Right now he jumps on my hand if he wants to and otherwise just stares at me It seems like he will let me grab him but I don't want to do it and make him feel uncomfortable.

 

[Anya]

Awww! Congrats on getting such a sweet little cutie! I love the greenies! Cute name too! Thanks for the pics - they made me smile!

 

[vkelman]

Hey guys thanks for all the advice. I have brought Bumi home 10 days ago. I am trying to spend time with him as much as I can. He doesn't seem to be scared of my hand. I have been giving him some food from my hand since day 1 and he is such a cutie. After a couple of days together he started allowing me some head scratches. Today I have let him out of his cage, and he seems to want to hang out with me. 🎉

View attachment 48180

Great, you're doing really good! It's not always as good and fast. Really depends on a bird individuality and past experience.

You were lucky. And you do the right things