For anyone who feels their parakeet could use some companionship, then getting another parakeet is a great option. For the most part, parakeets do better in pairs, but you will still have to be aware of a few key facts to have a successful pairing.
As with most birds, parakeets are social animals, and they will prefer to be in a flock. Their flock can either be another bird, or they may even consider a person a member of their flock.
While human companionship may be enough to keep a parakeet happy. There really is no replacement for the kind of companionship a parakeet can have with a member of its own species. While we can try to provide our parakeet with as much attention and care as possible. We are still limited in how much we can really connect with a bird on its own level.
And if we can’t be with our parakeet due to a hectic schedule, or other commitments that are beyond our control. The health of the parakeet may suffer as a result. And a lonely parakeet may become depressed, which could lead to behavioral problems as a result of their isolation.
Do Parakeets do Better in Pairs
Single Parakeet
There are a couple good reasons to keep a single parakeet, and they are temperament and trainability. A single parakeet will be friendlier to humans and seek out physical contact more often than a parakeet that has a companion. A single parakeet will also be less likely to bite and display any other aggressive behaviors.
Training a parakeet can be a lot easier if you only have a single bird. If you ever want to train your parakeet to talk or do other tricks, then having a single bird will make that job a whole lot easier. The reason it can be better to train a single bird is they will most likely have an attachment to you and therefore will seek to please you. A bird who has a companion will tend to be more focused on impressing and socializing with the other bird instead of you.
The best way to make sure parakeets are socialized to humans is to buy one parakeet at a time. And then you can raise them by hand in different cages. Once they have bonded with you and any other members of your household, then you can put the birds together in the same cage.
Related Article: Parakeet Cage Size Calculator
Two Males
Males are the less dominate gender amongst parakeets, this makes keeping two males the best pairing option. While there is never any guarantee that any two birds will get along. Males do tend to do very well in a cage with each other. As long as the two males are kept in a cage that provides adequate space for two parakeets, the two males should lead a happy life together.
Two Females
Getting two female parakeets is ill-advised since females are the dominant gender of the species. If two females are kept together they will most likely get into territorial conflicts. And if the conflicts escalate, the birds may even cause harm to each other. If two females must be kept together, it would be a good idea to keep them in separate cages, or at least put a divider in a shared cage. For the most part, it would be wise to avoid keeping two females as a pair.
Male and Female
Keeping a male and female together can lead to a good pairing, but some precautions should be taken. While a male and female may not get into conflicts over territory like two females would. The possibility of conflicts may still arise.
If a female parakeet decides the male is not a suitable mate, she may attack and harass him to keep him away. If this happens you will have to provide a large enough cage with some hiding places for the male. Otherwise, if all goes well and the male and female accept each other, they should remain a happy pair for the rest of their lives.
Breeding and Chicks
If you do get a male and female pair to live in peace with each other, there is a pretty good chance that they will breed. If the pair starts to breed, you will have to provide for their needs. Some important things you will need are nesting materials and supplements. Getting these things will ensure the female can safely lay her eggs, and that she won’t become deficient in key nutrients.
In some cases, an inexperience breeding pair may even eat their eggs. While in most cases this is not a major cause for concern, it may be sad for anyone getting their hopes up for little hatchlings. If you do get lucky and your breeding pair successfully hatches out their eggs. You will have to be ready to provide a new home for the young chicks, once they are no longer in their parents care.
If you don’t have space or resources to take care of more birds, it is strongly advised you don’t keep a breeding pair together. And if you do end up having more birds than you can handle. You will have to find the birds a new home which can be a difficult thing to do.
