What to do?

[gypsy]

Hi All
Been awhile since I have been on the forum, been busy and spare time is spent with Wally and toy making!

This morning I discovered one of my ringnecks dead in the outside avairy - from what I can see it was Julian that died. Nothing obvious to me, although it was extremely windy last night, and we are having a problem with mice. Romeo is so sad, just sitting there so quiet and not his usual self, although he is eating and drinking. They were bought together about 6 years ago as young birds, and spent everyday all day playing etc together.

What should I do? - bring him inside? - although hubby says no

get a 'female' for him to have a girlfriend?

or get another male and hope that with a slow introduction they may be friends?

I just can't bear to see him so sad and soooo quiet.

thanks in advance for any advice.

[Robyn]

Sorry Gypsy.

Two common things a parrot can die suddenly is a night fright where they crash into the wire with force & die of internal injuries. Or they have a viral or bacterial infection. Your other bird could very well have caught a bug from the one that passed.

Under these circumstances i would bring the remaining bird inside & keep an eye on it. Check droppings, if the bird is eating or showing any signs of illness.

I would not get another bird until i was satisfied all is OK. Only then i would consider getting another bird. If you don't want to breed you can try another male.

[gypsy]

Thanks Robyn, he is sitting in the sun this morning, eating and drinking, although still looking so lost. If he is sick would he be infectious to the others that live inside? I of course would have him not close to the others, but we have a very small house, and of course would wash hands before going near the others, I was also worried that putting him in a smaller cage - the avairy is rather large (compared to a cage) and he fly's about, that may add more stress to him, and also that if he has a bug, he could pass it on to the teils and Wally.
A friend for him will take awhile to source, and of course we would wait incase it is an illness, Hubby has suggested that we put 'squeek' the new teil out with him, as squeek is soooooo noisy and bossy in the house, even seems to drive our original teil 'up the wall' sometimes lol - would that be a suitable 'friendship'?
I don't think I know enough, or have enough time to consider breeding, I just loved sitting out on the patio watching them play, chase each other around, and bath in their water bowls
We have a terrible problem with mice, they even run around the avairy during the day, could a mouse bite have caused an infection?
Thanks again.