Cage

How long should I wait before I try to introduce a new bird in my birds cage?

I purchased a 12 week old lovebird I placed its cage in front of my other lovebirds cage (he is in his cage alone) I have noticed that since I have put the cage there that he sits as close as he can to the other birds cage and the baby does this with him as well should I try to put them together or just wait a while longer

Public Comments

1. Don't put them in the same cage at first. Remove them to a neutral area, like a play stand etc. and let them interact to see what they will do. If they are okay with that and get along, then you can open the cage doors and see if they go in and out of each other's cages without fighting. You will have to monitor this carefully. Don't get rid of either one's cages, birds consider that their home and they will get along much better if they each have their own cage to go to when they want. I have a blue and gold macaw and an African timneh grey, and believe it or not they get along just fine and their cages are touching so that they go in and out of each other's cages all day long with no problem. This took years though, so don't expect instant results. Make sure you monitor them very closely and remember, just because they are both lovebirds, they may not like each other, just like people !! Good luck and enjoy your lovebirds. Oh, and I hope you went through the one month quarantine before you put the new bird in the same room with your existing bird.
2. Your new lovebird needs to be quarantined for about one month before putting him anywhere near you other lovebird's cage. The new lovebird could have a contagious disease and the other lovebird could catch it. Please keep them in separate rooms for one month. Then you can place the cages next to each other and they can start getting to know one another. When you think they're comfortable around one another, then you can have them out of their cages playing together and see how they respond.
3. Margie K is exactly right. Birds are territorial - they do not want another bird in their cage and one could be injured or killed if you try it. Especially lovebirds.