Can Parakeets Live Alone? Vet Approved Facts & Advice
By Misty Layne
Updated on
When you want a pet that’s a bit more unique than just a cat or dog, you might consider getting a bird. Pet birds can make fabulous pets; they’re friendly and much more affectionate than people might think. Parakeets are one of (if not the) most popular birds to keep as pets. But if you’re getting a parakeet for the first time, you may wonder if getting a single bird is fine or if they need a companion.
Can parakeets live alone? Yes, parakeets can live alone, provided they’re given plenty of love and affection by their human family. However, because these birds are such social creatures, you might consider getting two.
Whether companionship is needed can vary by parakeet, too. The Rosella (Platycercus eximius), for example, can tend to be aggressive, even toward other Rosellas, so they may do better as a single bird. But a bird like the monk or quaker parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) will typically do well with a companion.
Can Parakeets Live Alone?
Parakeets can live as the only bird in a household and be perfectly happy doing so. Because these birds are so social, they’ll quickly adopt you and the other humans in your home as part of their flock. Being a part of a parakeet flock will require you to give them plenty of love, attention, and affection, though. If you and your family are gone several hours a day to work or school, there’s a chance your parakeet could become lonely and even depressed. So, having only a single parakeet in a home requires more attention from you than two birds would.
There are pros to having just a single parakeet, though. Caring for a single bird is often simpler than caring for two or more. One bird in the home also typically means the bird will be much more affectionate with any humans; they will likely be friendlier to humans, in general. And if you aim to teach your bird tricks, you’ll find training a single bird may be much easier than trying to train more than one!
The Case Against Parakeets Living Alone
When parakeets live in the wild, they live in huge flocks that can be made up of hundreds and sometimes even thousands of parakeets. So, these birds are naturally incredibly social creatures who instinctively want companionship.
In the case of single pet parakeets, a lack of proper social interaction from their human “flock” can negatively affect their mental and physical health. For example, a parakeet may become lonely or even depressed with a lack of social interaction. When this occurs, you may find them being louder than normal, eating less, sleeping more, and possibly becoming more aggressive. A healthy social life is vital for parakeets whether from other birds or people.
This makes having a second parakeet (or other type of bird) around a good choice. When you aren’t there to play with your bird or give them tons of attention, a second bird can step in. Having more than one bird means your parakeets can preen each other’s feathers, play together, and cuddle together, resulting in happier birds. Plus, if you want a bird in your home but have limited time to spend with them, having two birds means they will likely rely on your attention less.
Of course, caring for more than one bird will take more time and effort, but it won’t be that much harder than caring for a single bird. Do consider carefully what sex you want your birds to be if you decide to get more than one parakeet, though. Female parakeets are more dominant than males, so having more than one female in a cage might lead to conflict. More than one male parakeet together should be fine, while housing a male and female can go either way. Males and females together could end up mating, but any potential courtship could also end with the female rejecting the male, which could cause issues.
If you want to get a parakeet and a different type of bird, do your research! Parakeets will get along well with many other types of birds, like finches, but they won’t get along with everyone. If you have any questions about whether your parakeet needs a roommate, speak to your veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
Parakeets can live on their own, but having a companion for them is ideal (in most cases). If you want to stick with one bird, be prepared to give that bird lots of attention and love! Parakeets are super social, so they will adopt you as their flock. However, keep an eye on a single parakeet to ensure they aren’t becoming depressed or lonely, as that could negatively affect their health.
Featured Image Credit: George Trumpeter, Shutterstock
