Let’s get this out of the way:
Parrots are needy.
They’re intelligent. They’re social. And sometimes they’re basically feathered toddlers with trust issues.
If you’ve ever lived with a parrot, you know the story:
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They scream when you leave the room.
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They want to be on your shoulder—24/7.
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They pluck their own feathers if lonely.
So naturally, bird lovers wonder:
“If I raise two parrots instead of one, will they keep each other company—and be less clingy with me?”
Or…
“Will I just end up with two jealous, demanding divas instead of one?”
Let’s dig into:
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Why parrots become clingy in the first place
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Whether a pair really solves the problem
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The hidden chaos of raising two birds
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Tips for happy, balanced parrot companionship
🦜 Why Are Parrots So Clingy?
Here’s the secret nobody tells first-time bird owners:
Parrots are flock animals.
In the wild:
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They spend all day with their flock.
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Groom each other.
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Fly together.
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Scream warnings to predators.
So when you bring a parrot home:
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You become the flock.
Which means:
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They panic when you leave.
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They crave attention.
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They develop obsessive bonds with you.
It’s not bad behavior—it’s how they’re wired.
✅ Does Getting Two Parrots Help?
Yes—and no.
It depends on:
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The species
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Their personalities
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How you socialize them
💡 When Two Parrots = Less Clinginess
If your birds:
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Get along well
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Bond with each other
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Entertain each other while you’re busy
…they’re less likely to:
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Scream for your constant presence
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Develop separation anxiety
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Pluck feathers from boredom
✅ The “Buddy System” Benefits:
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Mutual preening → less stress
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Play together → less boredom
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Learn from each other → better confidence
It sounds perfect, right?
🚧 The Hidden Downsides of Raising Two Parrots
But here’s the real talk:
Two parrots doesn’t automatically mean half the clinginess. Sometimes it means double the drama.
🚩 Possible Problems:
1. Bonding To Each Other… And Ignoring You
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Some birds pair up and decide:
“We don’t need you anymore, human.”
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They may:
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Bite when you try to handle them
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Only want each other
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2. Jealousy
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Parrots can become jealous if one bird:
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Gets more attention
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Bonds closer to you
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This can lead to:
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Screaming
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Feather plucking
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Aggression
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3. Double The Mess, Noise, and Cost
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Twice the food.
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Twice the vet bills.
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Twice the bird poop.
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Twice the volume. (Imagine a screaming duet.)
4. Fighting Between Birds
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Birds don’t always get along.
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Personality clashes happen.
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Breakups in bonded pairs can be traumatic—for them and for you.
💡 Human Insight:
“Getting a second parrot isn’t a ‘quick fix.’ It’s an entirely new relationship dynamic.”
Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it backfires spectacularly.
✅ How to Raise Two Parrots Successfully
If you’re set on trying, here’s how to improve your odds:
✅ 1. Choose Compatible Species
Some parrots are social butterflies (like budgies, cockatiels). Others prefer solo attention (like African greys).
Research:
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Noise levels
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Social tendencies
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Aggression risk
✅ 2. Quarantine New Birds
Never introduce two birds immediately. New parrots need:
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A separate cage
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Health screening
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Slow, supervised introductions
✅ 3. Socialize Both Birds Individually
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Spend solo time with each bird.
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Handle them separately.
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Train them separately.
Otherwise, they may bond only to each other and become “untouchable.”
✅ 4. Monitor For Aggression
Look for:
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Chasing
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Screaming
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Feather pulling
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Territorial behavior
Separate cages may be necessary, even if they’re friends outside the cage.
✅ 5. Accept Individual Differences
Some parrots will always be clingy—even with a buddy.
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Personality matters.
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Early socialization helps.
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Routine builds confidence.
💡 The Human Takeaway
Here’s my honest truth:
“Getting two parrots can absolutely help reduce clinginess—but it’s not guaranteed. You might gain peace and quiet… or double the feathered chaos.”
So ask yourself:
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Can I afford two parrots?
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Do I have time for twice the attention and care?
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Am I emotionally ready for the unpredictability?
Because two parrots can be magical companions—or your personal feathered soap opera.
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