Aviaries

[Islandzoo]

You know in animal parks, in the parrot aviary they always have several species together?
and quite often they tell you they're ex-pets - so obviously when they take in a new bird they just put in with the others if there's room.
Well, is there a rule with which kinds you can put together?
Are some species more likely to fight - what if they do? how do you go about introducing a new bird to an established aviary?
I ask because we're planning to build an aviary and we'd like to house small parrots, - say maybe 2-4 but we're not sure which species. We'd like to get some pionus, as they're not too noisy, but Trevor likes Hahns and similar small macaws, and I just wondered if we could house them together or if they'd need to have seperate areas.

[Jean]

You defiately do not want to put larger birds together that can over power a smaller one. You need to be cautious and test their behavior with one another first. When there is an aviary flock absolutely anything can go wrong causing single bird can easily be picked on by a bully in the flock. Also having more then one male can cause jealousy and reasoo for attack.Once you've taken proper precautios to prevent problems you have a better chance of no birds being attacked.

[Islandzoo]

So you'd need to have the facilities for them to be seperated and keep an eye on them basically.
It would be better to start them all off together rather than have a pair say and then add another couple later, by which time the first ones have their 'territory' established and more likely to resent other birds.
are 2 females better together than 2 males, or doesn't it matter? a male and female would be nice, bonded pairs are so beautiful to watch aren't they? they look so in love if you know what i mean, I'm sure they're happier for it.

[Jean]

It depends, Often males can get along together,however, when a female is with them is when you should take caution.That is when the jealousy can appear. several females can get along fine too. Alot depends on the species, temperment and size of the birds.