Can these two tiels be housed together?

[cerrissa]

We have a 1 year old male (we think) cockatiel. A friend had a female rescue bird (one of her wings was clipped off at the bone and she was found in a storage container) that she had with her male for a year. Her male died and she asked if we would like to take "Julie" since she seemed lonely. Had the two side by side for 3 weeks and then started to let him venture into her cage. They seemed mildly friendly, she was very interested in him and they started sleeping in the same cage at night and spending their time together in the same cage during the day. She's very timid with humans but likes him. Although there is no preening or cuddling going on they get along fine during the day, eat from the same strand of millet. He is always grumpy in the evening and I try to put him to bed by 8 p.m. because after that he starts to bite. He spends at least two-4 hours out of his cage per day. The last three nights, when I put him in her cage to go to bed he bothers her, nipping at her and scaring her off her perch into the back of the cage wall. Eventually he settles down and leaves her alone. They don't make any noise at night and are on separate perches in the morning. But I don't know what to do. Should he be put to bed in a separate cage every night? The gal who had Julie before said she would take her back if they don't get a long. We are planning on building a big aviary in our backyard where they can stay during the day and bring them in at night. The cage we have now is at least 18 x 36.
Thank you for your advice, these are our first tiels.
Cerrissa

[cherylrowland]

Cerrissa,

I need to get with one of the long-term breeders before I can answer your question. But I didn't want you to think you were being ignored.

[cerrissa]

Thanks Cheryl,
I appreciate it. Yesterday we put the big cage in our living room where we could monitor things very closely and they were in there together and he went in and out of the cage all day. She calls to him every time he leaves the cage. When it was time to go to bed we closed the cage door and he went up to a top perch and she was on the one behind him and all was quiet. This morning when my husband woke up he noticed they were on the same perch, not touching but sitting two inches apart. When my husband said hello, the male "Par" reached over and pecked at Julie twice, but didn't hurt her, she didn't make any noise but she moved to the back of the cage. I just don't want her to feel terrorized. Especially given all her traumatic experiences. He lets her eat and drink and she moves about the cage freely unless he is in "a mood" which is usually at night at bedtime, 8 p.m. (they get up about 8 a.m.)
Kind regards,
Cerrissa

[cherylrowland]

Cerrissa,

It sounds like Par and Julie have bonded somewhat. I would leave them together as long as he doesn't get really mean. I have a male that I was given "Harry Winston", he was an only bird for the first six years of his life and I really don't believe he knew he was a bird . When I first put them together he would nip at her (similar to what you are describing Par does with Julie), but now they get along. He still bullies her a little, but they do share millet and sleep close to each other. Also, Harry and Gigi sound a lot like Par and Julie, in that, he is the one who gets in a "mood" and become a little territorial. She just moves out of his way, which is what it sounds like Julie is doing. I would still keep an eye on them to ensure that he does accept her, but it sounds like they are well on their way. Let us know how it works out.