Do budgie need a friend?

I have a single blue and gold macaw and I'm home most of the day but I still feel guilty when I need to leave. Do they get lonely? Would getting a second bird help or just cause drama?

Blue and gold macaws are incredibly social flock animals, so your instinct about companionship is spot on—they thrive on interaction and can develop behavioural issues like screaming or feather destruction if left alone too long. However, adding a second bird isn’t always the magic fix it might seem to be.

Introducing another macaw (and realistically, another macaw is what you’d need—different species rarely bond properly) is a massive commitment. You’re essentially doubling your lifetime care responsibility (these birds live 50+ years), and there’s no guarantee they’ll get along. Sometimes they bond deeply with each other and actually become less interested in human interaction, or worse, they might not get along at all, requiring separate housing forever. If you do go this route, plan for a lengthy quarantine period and slow introductions under the

You're clearly a caring bird owner — the fact you're asking for help shows that. Your bird is lucky to have you.

This is such a great thread! I shared it with my local bird group. More people need to see this forum.

My vet in Scarborough suggested adding foraging opportunities to at least 3 different spots in the cage and I noticed a change within the first week. Highly recommend.

How long have you had them? Sometimes it takes a while for birds to settle into a new home.