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Hi! I have a wonderful male Moluccan that lost his mate and a Lesser female that also lost her mate. Should I consider putting them together? I don't care if they breed or not but maybe give them compainship? They are both very calm and not pluckers. He might be to big for her and just playing might hurt her. Is there anyone who has done this? Would love some advise! Thanks!

There are many different species of birds who get along together, even if some of them are unlikely pairs. If it's not for breeding purposes and you don't plan on breeding them in the future, it may be fine. (assuming you can keep them from breeding if they have the urge to) However, if you plan on breeding them, and have no interest in hybridizing them (and there are unknown health issues found in many hybrids) then it could be an issue to separate them later on, and give them appropriate mates.

I've got a 90+ gram cockatiel who enjoys the company of a 150+ gram cherry headed conure. I've seen pictures of budgies and conures together, conures and cockatoos or even macaws, saw first hand a conure and an amazon, seen videos of a lovebird and an amazon, as well as a quaker and hyacinth macaw.

With that said, I have lost a bird to my cherry headed conure because the bird escaped her cage and got into the conures territory. I also know of a story of a nanday conure and an umbrella cockatoo that got along quite well for years without any issues, and one day, the cockatoo had an off day and nearly killed the conure be puncturing the head on both sides by his beak.

I would definitely not put them in a breeding situation..The smaller bird could be in danger...so I wouldn't put any nest boxes etc. around them. I have a conure that bonded with a lilac crown amazon, and grieved terribly when Cochise died( he lived for 27 years in a smoking household and had multiple sinus surgeries). For six months Poncho did not leave his cage...then all of a sudden he flew to the cage of a RL amazon...they took to each other...moved in together and have been best buds since..
I let them chose whether they wanted to be together...and observed carefully for a good while before I allowed them in the same cage...they bicker now and then, but they cage is very large and they can get away for some private time if they like. The amazon is very protective of the conure. Good luck.

I can't think of a reason why they'd need to be together....as in the same cage. Why not let them interact if that's what they choose (many birds interact by not touching...but watch what the other is doing, learn each others vocalizations etc...there are a LOT of different ways to interact without touching) but let them keep their separate apartments (cages). I think separate housing is appreciated by most birds as well as time outside the cage to interact....but down time is good for any of us on a mental level. Few want to be with someone 24/7. Also if they do get along and you do decide to house them together don't be relaxed about it. Flock dynamics can change on a daily, weekly, monthly whatever basis so stay very aware of any changes in behavior and be prepared to separate them immediately if need be. If one bird becomes aggressive towards another you may see the bird being picked on at the bottom of the cage more/most often or in a corner a lot...if so, separate them. You may not have the luxury of a warning however and if one attacks the other it'll be lightening swift.....and even with you right there there's a good chance you wouldn't be quick enough to stop the damage.

I live with 9 'toos....all have separate cages and believe me they DO interact with each other while in their cages. They are most certainly a flock.

These are birds.....wild at heart and not like dogs or cats that might play together. It's pretty rare that a parrot will find that special buddy...although when it does happen it's a wonderful thing.

If they were to mate chances are you wouldn't end up with eggs but if you did you'd want to remove them and replace with a fake egg.

Shauna