Why won't my female parrot bond with her new male companion?

Two weeks is still a very short time for a bird to be with a new owner, and it can take months sometimes before a bird will start to bond with you. I would keep trying to be patient with Pearla, and give her more time to settle in and get used to you. If she has a favorite treat, you can offer it each time you come by to visit to help her get used to you, and if she becomes scared or stressed, take a break and try again later. Don't try to force the interaction until she is ready. If your other bird is getting used to you more quickly, it may also help Pearla with getting used to you if she sees the other bird trusts you too.

A pair does not always result in a mating unfortunately. It may take more time for them to bond and court. If it isn't mating season, nothing will get them together. Be patient, continue to care for them and in the future they may mate. It is always recommended to have any new pet examined by a veterinarian to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any pre-existing conditions.

Thanks for your question about the birds in your household. You are correct in being concerned about bonding with your bird if there is another in the house - sometimes it is more common for the birds to bond with one another than with the humans present in the household. This can be especially true with more shy species, like budgies. I would recommend using positive reinforcement for both of the birds to continue the bonding process that you have started. You can find treats that the birds like and reward them for allowing you to come near them, having them step on your fingers, etc. I would say that your sister should also be doing the same, as that will get them used to multiple people handling and interacting with them. I hope this gives you a place to start, and congratulations on your new family members!

Poor Greenie, though bonded birds do often show signs of grief after losing a mate, not all do. While you are not seeing signs of grief in Greenie, it can be extremely difficult to determine whether a bird might be interested in another cage mate. In the wild, birds often do pair up and many of them live in large flocks so it makes sense that many house birds would want a friend, however, in the wild birds (even bonded mating pairs) do not live in such close quarters as they do in cages in our homes. Because of this, I always tell my bird owners that if they are considering adding another bird to their family, prepare for what you might do if the two do not end up getting along (you may need space for two cages, as well as twice the number of cages, bowls, toys, etc.). Even if two birds will ultimately get along I recommend owners introduce their birds on neutral territory (do not stick the new bird immediately into your other bird's cage). Spend a few days with the two birds getting to know each other outside of a cage, try different scenarios (feeding, toys, bathing, etc.) and always be on hand to make sure if they do not get along, you can be available to keep everyone safe. If things go well you can introduce them into a more neutral cage, such as the one the new bird has been in for only a few days, for short periods of supervised time, separating them at night. After a few days, if this goes well you can try them in the cage you want them to be in together long term. The key is slow a introduction, patience, and lots of praise and rewards for good behavior. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Birds can form bonds with each other, especially if they live together or interact often. If you have to separate them, you may notice that both birds are a little depressed after, especially if they were very close/friendly in their time together. Adding in some extra toys and giving a bit more personal attention to the birds may help them cope with the loss of their friend during the transition.

If they were fighting or your older bird was causing distress to the new one, I would wait and try introducing them again later to see how they get along. It could be that the cage you have is too small for two birds and they are being territorial, or your older bird is just stressed out by the change. Making sure the cage is large enough, and there are multiple food and water dishes available so they can't be possessive over one or the other can help reduce fighting. Adding in extra perches along with barriers such as toys or clothespins can also help break up the space to avoid one bird chasing and picking on another.

Unfortunately this can not be answered as the behavior of individuals are different. Sometimes they pair quickly and occasionally not at all. In the wild, they pick their own mates, they are not picked for them. Squabbling is normal, as they establish hierarchy and territory. Breeding season is usually in the spring, so be patient.