Just got a new bird? How to introduce it safely and keep it healthy.

Thanks for reaching out. Quarantining new acquisitions is recommended for a 30 day period. The further separated the better. New birds should be assessed by a veterinarian to determine health prior to introduction. Diet and husbandry practices can be reviewed at this time. Good luck.

Hello! I’m glad to hear that things are going so well with Rico that you are considering a second bird. Birds are flock animals so they do tend to do well with other birds. There are a few things to keep in mind though, before adopting another bird. The birds should be about the same size, though don’t have to be the same species. This is to reduce the chance of fighting and trauma from a big bird to a little bird. The birds should have infectious disease screenings to ensure they don’t introduce any illness to each other. I’d recommend minimum of a physical exam, fecal gram stain, fecal float, screening bloodwork (CBC, chemistry), and Chlamydia testing. An avian veterinarian will be able to do all of this for you and they may recommend some additional testing based on what’s already been done by the breeder/store/rescue. I would recommend that each bird has their own cage, at least at the beginning until they get to know each other. Sometimes, birds just don’t get along no matter what we do. They are individuals and it’s possible that personalities can clash. So be prepared to have two separately kept birds in case that happens. However, since Rico is still young, I bet that he will take accept a new bird well! Good luck!

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!

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!

The easiest way is probably to put the new cage with the door open directly onto the open door of the cage your new bird lives in. eventually he will hop over into the new cage. You can help by taking a long piece of card board and move that through the side of the cage separating the two birds and then gently coaxing the new bird into the new cage. you can also wait until they sleep at night and then pluck the new bird from its perch by hand ( very dim light, so he does not wake up).

Thanks for reaching out about Koko. A female would be preferred. All new birds should be quarantined in a different room for at least 30 days. Diagnostics tests can be performed to ascertain health. Good luck.

That is a lot of questions! And one I don't really have a good answer to. Sudden death can be caused by a number of things including illness, parasites, infections, nutritional issues, etc. It's always a good idea to first make sure the environment your birds are in is kept clean, and that they have access to a balanced diet and fresh water at all times. It is also a good idea to quarantine any new birds for a few days before introducing them to the other birds you own in order to prevent the spread of any illness. Stress from being put with strange birds, recently re-homed, switched to a new cage, etc can also cause a bird to act ill. Making sure they are in an environment that is free from harassment by other pets or people, is in a warm-draft free area, and that all birds can easily access food, water, perches and sleeping space is best. If you suspect one or more birds are ill it is best to separate them immediately into a hospital cage that is kept warm and with easy access to food and water to prevent the spread of illness and to keep any sick birds from being picked on. Seeking veterinary care to check for the cause of their illness is also a good idea.