FINCHforum

Hello, everyone. I'm really... Not at my best right now... So forgive the lack of exuberance in this.

I feel so very lost. I...had... two Java Sparrows. One of them suddenly passed away last Sunday. I got them both four years ago, when they were 2 months old, and they are the only birds I kept, both girls. As was my late bird, my surviving one is perfectly hand tame and loving - finding the most creative ways to fall asleep on me. They also cleaved to each other perfectly- grooming, playing and snuggling up together at night and for naps.

As I know that many finches are not hand tamed, this question is more geared towards others who have Java experience- please lend me your experience!

Now... My question. My surviving bird, Pitter, seems to be doing very well. She's not moping, or "searching"... She was in the cage with my poor baby for a while before I came home so I think she understands. She's spending more time with me than independently, but she's still doing her thing.

She's still young, I feel, and I wanna get her a new friend. I'm not interested in being a breeder or owning a huge aviary with dozens of birds- I like the simple and personal relationship I get with just one or two.

So... If she's doing fine... Should I even try to get a new Java? Would it make her jealous?

I've seen loads of sites explaining quarantine and how to introduce the bigger species lien parrots and whatnot... But, after quarantine, do Java sparrows really need such delicate social etiquette to be introduced to each other? Months of living side by side in cages, carefully arranged play dates, slow new cage introductions? (I'd like to have them in one big cage like before)

I'd like the benefit of the experience of anyone who has a small number of birds, if you're out there. I'm concerned that she'll get lonely in time and I don't want it to affect her health.
Thank you!

I can't help, as I don't have the experience with hand-tamed birds or even Java Sparrows, but I wanted to say how sorry I was that you lost one of your pets. It sounds like you have a very special relationship with them.

I can comment on introducing new birds. After quarantine, it is not necessary with finches to take ages introducing them. I have put them in cages next to each other, or I have just jumped right in and put them in the same cage, after rearranging the cage a bit to avoid territorial issues with the original bird. Then I watch closely to see if they will get along. Rarely have I ever had a problem, but then I deal mostly with passive waxbills. I hope someone with Java Sparrow experience can help you.

Thank you for your kind words, Sally. I appreciate them. They both hold very special places in my heart, always. That's why I don't want my Pitter to be upset, either with or without a cage mate.

Your assessment makes me feel a little better- It would be better all around if I could just throw them in together, so to speak. Perhaps a few days of outside play before I put them together?

Does re-arranging the cage ever seem to upset the birds already living there? Pitter definitely had a special spot with Patter, and still sleeps there, but I wonder if I'm over-humanizing to worry....

The reason for rearranging the cage when introducing a new bird is so that the original occupant doesn't feel quite so territorial. Both birds feel like it is a new environment, so that they are both starting anew. It can help to cut down on territorial issues.