I think if the bird is out of the cage more than in, a smaller cage can be fine. And there's always room for upgrading at another time.

I'm going to admit for the first bit as he/she will be in quarantine...even though I know the man who runs the shop is an Avian God of knowledge and they're fully and vetted and such. The cage door will be closed for the first two weeks to the new one until it adjusts and I can sit down to clip it's wings etc. I mean, I'm comfortable with Jean running around because I've had him since febuary and he's earned my trust, the new one after the wings are clipped is welcome to roam around with the cage door open after 2 weeks with it's wings clipped with me supervising but beyond that, his/her little butt is temporarily cage bound.

I totally understand that. Both of my budgies were confined to their cages when they first came home, so that they could settle in and get to know their new cage, new home, new parronts, and new quirks and noises in their environment. I believe that it really made them feel at ease in their cages and they now consider their cages their safe zone and they all willingly go in their cages.

Tinna my 2c is that I think you should reconsider bringing home such a tiny bird. I can't see how they can ever be friends. I keep sun conures and budgies and they can NEVER be loose in the same room. We can however have a budgie on one shoulder and a sun on the other. I do not believe my suns would make a hole in the budgie but I don't trust them. Budgies and suns were raised together so they are not strangers yet the risk is too big. I wish I could send you a female sun, just not sure how quarrentine and export/import works and I don't think it would be fair to the bird. IMO you should wait for a female sun.

^Agreed. P-lets are really tiny, and Suns are well, a LOT bigger. Have you checked with local rescues? Craigslist?

Buying a cage can be, well, hard. I have my heart set on 3 KC, but I can't afford the $2,000+++ cost. So, I went with a couple of knock offs for Lucy and Echo. They're great! Very light weight, I put them together myself and they are escape proof and plently large. I got a huge cage (need to get dimensions) for only $150. IMO, that's the best price. Bird shows and fairs have the greatest deals. Oh, and check CL. I know so many people give it a bad name, but we got Echo and Lucy from there and I've seen plently of enormous sized, perfect condition cages go for under $100.

I am not going to wait for a female sun conure any longer. Jean's an adult and I don't have time for a baby sun that's going to scream and scream and get me thrown out of my apartment. I understand there's nature involved and they may not be friends but at least they can be in the same room and talk to each other. I also want varity in my flock, I mean, 2 suns....okay...it's not really exciting either I was just thinking of doing it because honestly I felt pressed by everyone that I HAD to have a second but at this point I can't afford another sun, I may end up working night shifts and this is the best solution I can comme up with as for rescues I HAVE BEEN SCOURING THEM FOR MONTHS...:Cries: it's not fair I sit here and wait for one and they're just never going to come along guys, every time a bird I could get popped up on radar they were snatched up before I could get to them or the rescues said I was too far away. I've tried guys, but ultimately it's my home I'm opening up, and my decision to give him a friend. Even though this bird is tiny it's in my price range and it's quiet. I am not going to risk Jean becoming a plucker because I can only spend 7 hours a day with him, that may seem extreme but I care about his mental health. I'm not budging on this one I'm sorry guys my birthday is just 3 days away and my friends are pitching in on this one as well as my buddy in NJ and with me possibly having to drop the job I'm at, and get two other part time jobs to cover my assets as an option.... No, I am not giving Jean up I know that crossed some minds as soon as I complained about my hours. I'm not THAT absent from home. I just want him to have a little more....

I don't think anybody would pressure you to buy another bird if you couldn't afford it. If you can't afford another Sun, how would you expect to pay for any vet bills that may arise from Jean, or another bird? I know you mention that you're only able to spend 7 hours a day with Jean...that is more than some people spend with their very happy birds. Ollie gets about 6-7 hours of interaction time on weekdays. She is perfectly content with that. If you cannot afford a Sun, please do not feel pressured to buy another bird at this time. Perhaps it would be better to wait?

Random thought:

For those of you with only one adult bird, are you faced with any problems? I mean, honestly, I know tons of people with only one bird, big or small, and its very happy.

Tinna, I see where you're comming from. Just getting a talking buddy is a step up from alone. I mean, I have three birds of different species, all female (lol) and one is fully mature. I've had no problems. I think the thing that is nice is the fact that Echo and Lucy talk all day long while I'm at school for 6 hours a day, so everybody stays happy. I think Jean would be happy to just have another bird in the cage next door. I mean, it would be someone to talk to and 'play' with, even if it wouldn't be physically.

Very well said Camille!

Yes of course it's your decision but I'm assuming you want experienced input so no deaths occur.

First of all Parrotlets are famous for needing ALOT of sleep. 12 hours average. Ask anyone here or the other board. Ask Sandy Molenda the most experienced breeder in the US. Read on the other board all the stories from all the Parrotlet people. Also ask Paulie's mom here how he was much calmer when he got a longer nights sleep. Sally too...all of us.

A Parrotlet would be in danger with a Sun, sorry. Parrotlets have a communication style unique to them. They nip the feet of their flock. It's their way. This body language is misunderstood by other birds and even their own flock members. You have to do every single thing right with a Parrotlet and another bird or it's bad.

Jean could innocently kill a Parrotlet or even bite one on purpose.

A Parrotlet is fearless and can attack other birds. Most Parrotlets die average age 3 from accidents.

Conversely, a Parrotlet will be lonely and sad if alone for long periods of time and can also yearn for the company of the Sun. Then problems can start.

During the 7 hours that you are home, you'll have two birds who cant be together wanting your attention. Some Parrotlet people say their birds scream at the top of their lungs for attention. Even though they are tiny they are still Parrots and vocal. They are cousins to Amazons.

So I agree with 2horse, this would be a bad idea and I'd hate to see you dissapointed. Worse yet I'd hate to see the Parrotlet in a bad position or worse have a deadly accident. Sometimes it's best to just wait and the right thing will come your way, ime imo.