Harley has never been very good with change. New people, new furniture, she freaks out Well, I thought she was going to freak with Echo as well, but she seems fine, but...

Harley has been hissing as Echo when I hold her near his cage (so they can see each other thorugh the bars) and gets a little nippy with him. I have yet to let the sit together or anything, in fear she might do somehting to him.

So, is there any way I can get them to sit together without the possiblity of Harley doing something? Any other suggestions?

I had thought they had a happy preening moment! Was that just a one time thing of the past?

I don't have any experience with this, but I thought I'd bump it up for you! I would just keep in mind that some birds just never get along, plus with the size difference between the 2, I would be very careful!

I would be so nervous about the size difference. Scarlett and Doyle like each other but it still makes me nervous because one nip from her could really injure him. I don't have any real advice other than be careful, but I know you always are!

Please take it slow when you are introducing birds to each other. Sometimes it may take a year before they feel comfortable together. We have birds of various sizes together but it is not an easy or quick task to take on. Some Blue and Golds may develop respiratory problems from being housed near a grey.

They did have that wonderful preening moment, but I guess that was forgotten I have taken things very slow, and size is an issue. But I am trying to figure out a way I can work with them now (seperated) so that if the time ever came they could be together, it wouldn't be so shocking to either of them...

You might want to try a neutral area for them to meet. Harley may think Echo is just fine but he's not ready to invite her to his house. A neutral area won't have anyone feeling the need to be protective of their cage or play stand.

You said Harley was upset when you brought the Grey close to his cage - he may be jealous you're holding the other bird.

I think someone here mentioned they give each bird 15 min undivided attention in the same order to stop jealousy. Maybe you'll have to resist picking one up over the other, unless you're moving them, just for a while - unless you could get them to interact with a ball game or something. A mutual activity will help them learn about each other.

I had a jealous cat once - i could never pet the other cat in her presence or pick her up. It was a drag but what can you do? I hope in your case, time is on your side.

Hope to hear good news soon.

i think the suggestion of unfamiliar territory is a good one... also, the hissing could be sort of "territorial" / protective too... you're holding her, and by walking close to echo's cage, he is (unwillingly) invading your time with her... just another way to look at it....

i'd interact seperately with them, but bring them close in their cages for defined periods, preferrably in a neutral territory... and i would be very very careful and maybe wait with having them out together until you can bring the cages close to each other and see no signs of aggression on either side...

you might just ahve to work on that for a long time.... best of luck!

Ditto on the neutral territory thing! Bringing one of them over to the other's cage is definitely not the way to go. Ideally, I think a room where they are out of sight from their cages and playstands is best. You probably will need two people, a couple of towels in case things get out of hand, and some quick reflexes. Go slowly, over a period of time, and gradually get them used to being closer and closer together. If one or both reacts negatively, back off to a distance where they are comfortable. And, as has been said, be aware that it might never work out.