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Hello everyone. I am new to the group, my girlfriend and I are the food changers and cage cleaners for a Parakeet, one Budgie, 3 'tiels, one 'too, and a conure. Sunday night one of the 'tiels died very unexpectedly, and there doesn't seem to be any particular reason, other than that she was 16yr old. Her mate has been calling to the other two 'tiels, and hasn't eaten very much, and is very agitated. Should we get another 'tiel as a mate for him?

Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

Skinnywater,

I am so sorry for your loss, and of course, her mate's loss. If you get a new tiel, there is a chance that they will not create a pair bond, so I am not sure if that will help of not. Right now, his strange bahavior can be attributed to the loss of his mate. He is not necessarily calling to the other tiels, but likely calling for her, not knowing where she has gone and why. Sometimes, a bonded bird can die when they lose their mate, that is how depressed they become.

If you were interested in what caused her death, it would have been possilbe, but likely too late now to have a necropsy (sp?) done to determine the cause. Tiels normally live between 15-25 years, so 16 wasn't too old (though my latest vet may disagree).

I wish I could hlep more. I am sure more people will post suggestions, perhaps one who has expereince with the loss of a bonded bird.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

-Jackie

Skinnywater, I have a male who lost his mate last June, and he was an absolute wreck afterwards. He would call and call for her, and of course didn't' understand why she never answered or came back. After about 2 months of watching him withdraw into a shell, and fast becoming cage bound again, we got him another birdie, hoping for female.. He did not take to the new chick at first (Chibi) but after some time, they got along OK. That started my foray into 'tiel land ending with 3 pair, and now 5 chicks. I would highly recommend getting him another companion bird, at least the same age as him.. perhaps a rescue or adoption. Any bonded bird who loses a mate can and probably would adapt and re bond with another since 'tiels are not 100% magnamous.

HTH

Sam

It would be a good idea to know why the mate died.... if she died from an illness you might have sick birds, so thus a good idea to get a necropsy and blood panels on your remaining birds...

As for getting another tiel, well most cockatiels enjoy another tiels company... so I see no problem with this.


And, what type of parakeet? You say you have a budgie, so that must mean the other is some sort of other type of parakeet?

Here is a list of our "management":
Rainbo - Janday Conure
Peaches - Moluccan Cockatoo
Jasmine - blue Budgie
Goofy - green Parakeet
Buzzard and Grannie - grey/white/yellow Cockatiels
Stormy - whitefaced Cockatiel, looks like he is wearing a grey suit

Sunny - yellow cockatiel, Stormey's cage mate that died

oh yeah, Missy, the 14yr old wonder rabbit.