Help!! Sick bird or just depressed?

[Lee_]

At work I care for a black masked lovebird. He was in a cage with another lovebird for several months until a week ago when his friend was sold. He was never very loud or active, but since the other bird left I noticed he has been losing weight. I'm not sure if he started losing the weight even before the friend was sold and I just hadn't noticed. He also sits at the bottom of the cage instead of on his perch. Does it sound like illness or depression? What symptoms should I look for if its an illness?

[Florence]

Oh my... I think he misses his companion.... It really is a 'crime' to separate love birds. I advise you to get the other bird back or get him a new companion... slowly introducing that one.

[Devast8or]

ya thats bad to do, NEVER separate a love bird form its companion, thats like you getting separated from your wife, or girl friend... even child

[Lee_]

I know pairs shouldn't be separated but I don't have the option of not selling a bird to someone because they won't buy a pair. I also am not allowed to get the other bird back. The only other lovebirds are a pair of peachfaces. Can the 3 of them be together if they are slowly introduced? How would I do this?

[Florence]

I personally wouldn't sell to someone not wanting to buy the pair, but only you obviously know what you can and cannot do given the circumstances.
I wouldn't put the 3 birds together. I'd be afraid they'd start arguing. Each bird has the right to his own companion, I think....

[Lee_]

I have no control over how the company is run, how they want to sell their animals. I can only try to convince someone not to purchase the one bird but I can't tell them they are only allowed to purchase the pair. Given my circumstances, what is the best thing to do? Should I give more toys or treats or put a mirror in the cage to help him get over the loss of his partner?

[Florence]

Ahhhhhh :blush: He is at your work? I would talk to him a lot.... in that case.
Sorry I misunderstood you.

[jira]

Your bird has a very close bond with its mates as most birds do. I advise you to get a new friend for him asap.

[jenjen]

Okay, my major is animal education. There is nothing wrong with seperating a bird from its companion. It can be difficult but what the bird needs is someone to work with the bird a lot. They are fine as long as someone plays with them and talks to them and holds them. Yes it is time consuming, if you do not have time to work with your bird, first you probably should not own one. and second you should have two of them.

The bird may require a lot of attention for a few weeks after just keep a close eye on him and let him know you love him!

[birdwatcher]

Okay, my major is animal education. There is nothing wrong with seperating a bird from its companion. It can be difficult but what the bird needs is someone to work with the bird a lot. They are fine as long as someone plays with them and talks to them and holds them. Yes it is time consuming, if you do not have time to work with your bird, first you probably should not own one. and second you should have two of them.

The bird may require a lot of attention for a few weeks after just keep a close eye on him and let him know you love him!

I think that is the key -- let him know you love him! I would never separate my bird from its companion and I am not surprised that it became depressed. Has he cheered up at all? Maybe buy him a special treat and give him some extra attention. Amazon parrots are particularly found of their mates and I would not risk taking one from the other.