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I have always loved lovebirds and I have been thinking about getting one but I have a few concerns/questions.
1.) Do you think my IRN would get along with a smaller bird?
2.) Do you think the Lovebird would become attached to the IRN?
3.) Should I keep the cages in the same room or seperate rooms?
4.) Would the Lovebirds chirping affect my IRN's ability to talk? I am just wondering if he would mimic the chirps instead of picking up on more words.
5.) Would I have to quarantine the bird when I first brought it home or would it be ok as long as I take the new bird to the vet as soon as I got him/her
6.) Does the sex of either bird matter? Like should I try to get opposite sexes or the same?
Also what are any other things I should be concerned about when bringing a new bird home. This isn't going to take place until after our daughter is born in November. I don't want to overload myself with too much at once, but I want Elliott to have a friend. If you think another IRN would be better or if you can suggest a breed that I should get I would love any advice you can offer!! Thanks!!

Its all very tricky really. Even if you picked the right breed and the sex etc. you can never be sure that they will get along. To me it seems that every bird has a different personality and each bird gets along or doesn't with each other. Its pot luck really.

Remember even if they do get along ok, you will always have to monitor time together.

If you do decide to get a lovebird, you will have to watch that the IRN doesn't kill the little lovie, and also that the little lovie doesn't bite the bits off your IRN (especially the toes).

Keep them in seperate cages but in the same room so they get use to each other, then monitored time once they are acustom to eachother.

Quarantine time is best even if the vet checks the new bird over, as time is the only thing that can tell certain issues that may not show up to the vet. Unless you want to pay alot for blood work.

I have two lovebirds and they are two totally different characters. Jasper is quiet and reclusive, passive and Peaches is full on playful, cheeky and in your face.

Even if you choose another IRN it will take alot of time and patience to introduce them.

We have a cockatiel who adores the IRN's when they are out with us, she follows them around, pickle (one of our IRN's ) really likes her and is just fine letting her eat with him, even perch with him, but Jordan chases her around all over, we really have to watch her around him., they will never be friends. So you see you never know what the personalities will be and how they will get along.

Good luck!

Yep... what Angie said LOL!

I have a single female Fischers Lovebird and she is a BRAT loveable and sweet but cannot be trusted with oither birds, she is nasty!! Bit poor Datsuns toes more than once.

If you do get one get a handraised (or handleable) one or a pair as they need a lot of company and snuggles. Solo Lovies are hard work, they need a lot of attention and they are LOUD!!

Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice! I am a stay at home mom now, so Elliott always has company but I just thought he would enjoy the company of another bird as well. He just seems so lonely when he is in his cage at night. He snuggles up next to his mirror and talks to himself and then does the little mating dance head bobbing thing to his toys! I def. don't want to breed him, I am not experienced enough to even think of that, but I just thought he would like another bird in the house. He tends to sit and look out the window and make noises at the birds outside. Do you think he is lonely? He likes to play with me and the family, but only when he feels like it. He is not a snuggly bird, by any means but he has his moments when he wants to be pet and scrathced and then he goes about his business. I just didn't know if some interation with another bird would be good for him or not.

I think another bird around, hearing it and spending monitored time could be a good thing. I know our IRN cages are together, two in one two in the other, but at night all four sleep grouped at the sides of their cages together. They call to each other and enjoy watching each other. They all come out for monitored time together and even though some don't get along with others, they all seem to enjoy their pecking order, their flock.

I reckon if you have the time to spend introducing and monitoring time then go for it.