Accepted Answer

Hello. I am so glad to see how responsible you are being, researching this before making a decision. And how fortunate, experience wise, that among my flock of 9 assorted birds, I have 6 Tiels and one Senegal. Before getting into the "which kind is best", I want to tell you about the importance of quarantine, if and when the time comes for you to add another. Anytime you bring a bird into a home where there is already a resident bird, that new bird must be keep in strict quarantine, as far from the resident bird as possible, for no less than 30 days. That is always important but never more so than if you bring in a bird from a pet store. Those stores too often get their bird from questionable sources (bird mills) and they are often ill already, in the store. Only the most practiced eye may pick up on it but even for the experienced, we may not be able to see symptoms yet because it's the nature of the bird to hid symptoms until they are too weak or to ill to keep up the pretense. This is especially true of the large chain stores like PetCo, PetLand, PetSmart, etc. If you want to check that out, the next time you are in one of those stores, try pinning them down as to the actual source of their birds. Just stay away from pet stores if and when you decide to add a bird. Find a local reputable breeder. The birds are more genetically sound, usually hand raised and weaned making them more tame to begin with and, best of all, will only be about half the price of a pet store bird. During the quarantine period, you must never mix any of their equipment or belongings any you must scrub up well in between handling them. Even after quarantine is over, and even if you get another Tiel, you cannot just plop one into the cage that is considered the territory of the other. Introductions have to be slow and gradual, working up to allowing them out of cage time together, under constant supervision until you have established if they are going to get along That is if you have two Tiels. Now, as for the Sennie, I know they are often referred to as "apartment birds" due to some feeling they are more quiet. Yes, they may be more quiet by nature than some of the larger birds but do not assume for one second they cannot rattle the windows with the loud screeches and screams they are capable of, if they choose. And yes, they have a huge ego and a huge attitude. I have always referred to my Sennie as a Macaw in a midget suit. I also have a Macaw and an African Grey and my sennie, immediately upon being given out of cage time, will head right for one of their cages, attempting to bite them through the bars. He cares less how much smaller he is than they are. He can only be out when I have time to be right there, every second, supervising. Not only are they in danger of having a toe nipped, he is also in danger of receiving a bite from a much larger, stronger beak. Speaking of biting, when it comes to birds biting humans, regardless of size, a Sennie can deliver one of the most hurtful bites I've ever gotten from any bird of any size. They don't just grab on and bite. They grab on, then grind that sharp little beak back and forth. Those are the down sides of having a Sennie. The positives are, they are very loving to their human, wanting to be velcro birds, with you at all times and love to be held, cuddled and loved on. If you chose to add anything, other than another Tiel, you are going to have to be on constant guard if you ever allow out of cage time, together. Even if you went with a much smaller bird like a Parakeet. Tiels are the easiest going, most laid back, sweet natured birds of all the cage birds. With a parakeet, for example, you cannot be mislead by that sweet face and tiny body. They can be quite aggressive, jealous and territorial. Tiels, because they will not fight back, have been seriously injured and killed by Parakeets. Folks often let size make them assume which bird is likely to be aggressive, or not. I would not presume to try to tell you which kind of bird you should bring home. That's a personal decision you must make for yourself. All I can do is to try to answer all your questions, as best I can, to help you have what you need to make the decision. If you want quiet but don't mind if a bird is not the type to want to interact with you, hands on, you can consider a Canary or a couple Finches. If you want small and relatively quiet, you can consider a LoveBird. But again, a Lovie is a big, sometimes aggressive personality in a tiny little body with one of the sweetest faces ever. So long as you are prepared to follow through with the quarantine and if you have the time and space for two cages, then it will be up to you, what kind of bird you want to add. But, only by getting another Tiel, can you hope that maybe, some day in the future, they might decide, of their own accord, to maybe share one cage. I hope this helps you out but if you have any more questions at all, whether about generalities or about specific species, just let me know. I'll be more than happy to help in any way possible. Good luck with your decision. Patricia

Expert:	Patricia
Pos. Feedback:	99.9 %
Accepts:
Answered:	1/11/2008

Parrot C&onsultant

Published author, free lance bird behaviorist, adviser to the parrots at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.