Newbie needing advice!

[nazz]

Hi everyone! So happy to have found a forum for bird lovers! I've had several birds as pets growing up as a child.. first wss Koo Koo, a pink & grey galah, then Pierre the budgie, followed by Bellamy the pink and grey galah, followed by more budgies!
I'm now a big old adult and leapt back into owning a budgie again. Pepe is about 7 months old, from a pet store and is very sweet. Not tame, runs away a LOT, but very happy to eat from my hand. A long road ahead although I've only had him 5 weeks! Thinking of getting another budgie, but a hand raised one which will be younger. Would love to hear of any experience or suggestions as to whether this would work? Pepe is obsessed with the birds flying around outside and I'm wondering if this new bird would give him the company he's so desperate for, plus might help in taming him if introduced to a tame bird. Thanks everyone!!

[jellybean]

Hi nazz, welcome to you and Pepe.

There are very few people on the forum with single budgies, those who do, seem to have a nice little bond with their birds.

Just remember that any new bird bought should be quarantined in a separate room from your existing bird for 4 weeks, incase the new bird has any infections/diseases which could be passed on.

[blue48]

I am the owner of a single budgie and we have a great bond. He sees me as his companion, talks well, and interacts with me all the time.

I have thought long and hard about getting a companion for him and decided against it. I know our bond would change and he would be more interested in his new friend. 

I could change my mind

[Deleted]

There are pros and cons to both options. In fact I believe there's a pinned thread on it in 'Budgie Talk'.

I enjoyed the bond I had with my single budgie. I was hoping to just have one this time, in fact, but the budgie I got was a bit older and seemed so shy and quiet that I felt he needed a friend.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Welcome! Personally, I think it depends on the personality of the budgie you have. I got Tweetie Pie from a large pet store chain. He's very timid and scared of everything. After working with him for 5 months I decided he was not a bird that would do well alone and bond with me. I then got Buddy who was hand raised and very tame. After the quarantine time I put the two together and the change in Tweetie Pie was immediate. He followed Buddy's lead as far as eating a variety of foods and not being so scared. Buddy became less tame and Tweetie Pie more. They are bonded to each other. Its been about 3 months since they've been together and they are now starting to "include" me more. I suggest you wait until you get a good feel for Pepe's personality and then decide.