Opinions please

[Cedardave]

We have just lost our female amazon.While theres no way of bringing her back, her male partner has been calling out for and looking for her continuously.She died in her food bowl likely of a heart attack.She did not choke on anything.This was a breeding pair of tres maria amazons.I will never find another tres maria female.If this was you would you cautiously place a double yellowheaded, or magna double female with him,or just leave him be.Our male was set up as a breeding bird long before we got him and for the first time in a long time....I dont know what to do.Your opinions would be greatly appreciated

[cdog]

I'm very sorry for your loss.
Trying to place birds together can be a tricky business. Some birds have just one true love, and trying to replace that one true love can be disastrous. I know if Sully lost his mate he would be devastated too, but I also know he could never live with another bird. I'd say allow your male to grieve for awhile, then you could try to find him a female but it's entirely likely that you won't be able to, after all, birds choose their own mates.

[PlaxMacaws]

Personally, I would indeed find him another companion if possible (i.e., another Amazon). It has to be horribly devastating to lose a mate -who will never return- and not understand why :'(. My thinking is... anything that may divert his mind from his dearly missed mate will be helpful and healthy for him. I'm not a bird breeder, but that's my thought.

[PlaxMacaws]

I'm very sorry for your loss.
Trying to place birds together can be a tricky business. Some birds have just one true love, and trying to replace that one true love can be disastrous. I know if Sully lost his mate he would be devastated too, but I also know he could never live with another bird. I'd say allow your male to grieve for awhile, then you could try to find him a female but it's entirely likely that you won't be able to, after all, birds choose their own mates.It would have to be a gradual introduction. IE, cages near one another, monitoring reactions, test contact, etc. I know of some success stories which have shown me that it can work. One of the worst feelings an individual can experience (be they human or avian) is that of persistent loneliness! Granted, it may not work... but then again it may help him tremendously.

[cdog]

Yes, you do have a point Tony.
Whatever you choose to do, I wish you luck in finding happiness for you and your Amazon.

[Mare]

Aww..I agree with trying to find him another Amazon mate. I would think this problem could arise..what if your male doesn't like the chosen female? Could you return her?..or are you just one bird heavier..?..

[Pinkbirdy]

I agree with what Tony said . Also maybe you could find a female zon in a similar situation [that lost her mate].

[jtbirds]

You have two options, find a mate which may be very hard to do. Become the birds bond and work with the bird and change the breeder into a well deserved pet. A third option you might not like to hear is find someone with a female and give the male to them to greater the birds life. I have met some people that would highly disapprove of putting that amazon with a different type of zon. What you do is upto you in the end though I personally favor working with the bird and forming a bond, but that is simply my standpoint:).

[spiritbird]

Birds go through a pretty heavy grief period. I would wait a few months before doing anything. It's kinda a two edged sword. You could be damnened if you do or damnened if you don't.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I am afraid that I don't have any experience to share as we are only recent parrot guardians. It must be a horrible thing to have happen. There is a female swan on our river that lost her mate years ago and she has never got together with another male although there are plenty for her to choose from.
Perhaps we need a bird dating forum - get to meet other lonely heart parrots. Can you put two males together so that they can do blokey things together - watch football, goof about etc?

[Abby]

I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. :( This is heartbreaking. I'd take it slow with a new pal. I really wish you the best of luck in this!