Lisa Shea Forums Parakeets General Parakeet Chat Unrequited love :-(

Hello all,
We've had parakeet couples for quite a while, and the male parakeet in our most recent couple died over a month ago (old age). The remaining parakeet, who is a 2 1/2 year old female, was very lonely so we bought a six-month old male from Petsmart two weeks ago.

At Petsmart, the male had been kept in a large cage with many other males, adjacent to a similar cage with females.

Within a few days, the female became very friendly toward the male--sitting with him, talking to him, "kissing," etc. However, the male does not seem to be responding in any way, and we haven't heard a single chirp from him. He tends to watch himself in the mirror in the cage and look away from the female most of the time.

In case this is relevant, the female has had a wing amputated.

Is this a normal situation? Is there something wrong with the new bird? What should we do?

Thank you for any input!

Welcome to the forum.

Possibly taking his mirror away would help. He is possibly a little too young to be interested in courtship, but he should at least be interested in being a flock mate.

Does he let her preen him or feed him? Generally is he acting ok or does he seem to have any kind of physical problem.

I had a crippled sparrow, Jack that my Gilbert took to immediately, preened Jack, feed him and even helped him up and down his ladder, so I don't really feel the amputated wing would be a factor.

Like I said I would try taking his other friend (the mirror) out of the cage.

When bringing home a new bird, you should quarantine the new bird for 45-90 days to be sure not pass any symptomless illnesses to the existing bird or yourself.
A new bird will be extremely frightened and scared in your home for quite some time. It needs time to adjust and learn that you are not a predator. It may remain still and not seem to eat for days/weeks.
If you want a bird to bond with you or another bird, it is best to remove any mirrors until a bond is formed.

Thank you for your amazingly fast reply!

Yes, the new bird does let the female preen him and they do sit next to each other--he just doesn't seem to react.

To answer "Love my budgies"--Petsmart vaccinates all its animals and checks them for disease before selling them, and they also said that he wouldn't mind being put straight in a cage with another parakeet. Overall, it seems like a pretty reliable store.

I will definitely take the mirrors out, I thought that might be a problem :-) I'm sure that will help; I'll let you know either way in a week or so.

Thanks again for the advice!

LOL! - Sorry, can't help laughing at PetSmart trying to come across as a reliable, cares about their animals type of place. Pet stores do not have the time or money to vaccinate birds or take them to an Avian Vet for tests. If they can't offer proper care information, how could they tell if their birds were sick? There are diseases that do not have any symptoms, let alone a cure or vaccination available. Pet store birds come crammed in boxes, shipped from breeders and most stores view birds as throw away pets and could care less about them, as demonstrated in what they told you (anything for a sale). PetSmart is known for many animal related evils - there are many links and video on this site that are heartbreaking to watch, do a search.
This is sad that they are passing on incorrect info. I just posted about a different pet store doing the same the other day and reported it to the manager. All new birds need to be quarantined and handled before an existing bird, clothing changed, hands washed before handling the other. Birds are supposed to be in separate rooms at least 30 feet in distance. Many bird experts recommend a minimum quarantine of 45 days, up to 90, although some choose to do only 30 days.
I really hope the birds they sell do not contaminate other birds & people. I would call and report whoever told you that info to the store manager.

ya have to remember they will tell u anything if it means u buy from them they will make a goooood story seem to good to be true...if it does sound to good to be true guess what...ITS BONKERS..kk dont u say a word giggle.

I disagree with the notion that pet stores don't have the time to vaccinate their animals. That is pure speculation without any factual information to back up that claim. Now if you can request records that the pet store vaccinated your pet at some point in time (which almost all keep) then you have somthing to secure your feeling about the situation, instead of some random internet claim. I urge you to look into this.

As far as the bird goes, he is probably just getting used to his new surroundings. Two weeks is a short time for a bird who has been all over the place and finnaly settling in your home. I would give it a few months and if he is still acting this way report back with your findings. He should come around though, give it some time. I also urge you give him some attention/playtime every day to make him feel more welcome into his new home.

he might be a little freaked out . when i got peepers, he was like frozen for the first few hours, than he got more confratable with his surroundings.

im glad your female got another budy

I think he needs more time to settle in too. I bet he will warm up to your female before too long. You have no way of knowing how long he was at the pet store caged with all those other males, or even where he may have been or what he went through before he landed at the pet store.
Give him time. He's never been in a home environment before. Lots of love and attention. He'll come around
I agree with BLR about removing the mirror. Maybe he'll be more apt to hang out with your female that way. Once they've bonded I think you could put the mirror back.

illusive BONKERS? It just ain't right!!! LOL

vacination records so easily can be phony u never truly know..and thats the assumption one should ALWAYS take in my opinion...assume nothing is certain and make the necessary steps to protect yourself.