Unlikely Parrot Pairs

I want to talk about unlikely bird pairs. Since I worked at a rescue full time for 6 years, I’ve seen my fair share of weird pairs. I think the strangest was an umbrella cockatoo with a sun conure. Within my own flock, Merlin (blue and gold macaw) and Alfie (moluccan cockatoo) are good buddies, as well as Alfie and Jojo (yellow nape amazon) and Ringo (orange wing amazon) are too. Both are a bit more appropriate of weird pairings than a sun and an umbrella, but still odd.

In the wild, parrots co-exist with all sized parrots. But that doesn’t mean it’s always safe in our homes for this to happen. Parrots are successful at it in the wild because of a few factors. First, they can fly, and are extremely good at it. This allows for a small bird to get away quickly and not be harmed. Most babies wings are clipped before they fledge. Even active free flyers cannot give their birds the same skills as wild parrots when it comes to flying, though it is better than a bird that doesn’t know how to fly of course.

Second, they know how to communicate to each other. Most parrots in captivity are hand reared and taken from their parents extremely early. This means they never learn how to properly socialize. Some breeders will tell you their parrots are socialized with other parrots, when really they’re “socialized” with other babies who also do not know how to properly socialize. Being able to socialize is a big deal for birds to be able to understand each other and know when enough is enough.

Third is in captivity, we keep them in VERY cramped cages and housing, especially when compared to the wild. Birds need room to get away. With the cages, birds humans, and play areas, birds have a lot to resource guard that they wouldn’t have to as much in the wild. This keeps tensions down.

Pairing and flocking birds is great for our captive parrots! Just be sure they’re appropriate pairs!