Alexandrine vs. Eclectus

[froche3]

Hi! I am possibly hoping to consider a second parrot as an addition to our family, but I am definitely not doing that now, or any time soon. I am babysitting an Alexandrine at the moment, and am loving it. But, I have researched a lot about Eclectus and they seem to fit perfectly into our family! So, I am just gathering some info here, but if you have an Alex or Ekkie, could you please tell me what your experience was with them?
Thank you!
Faith and Binky

 

[Freespin]

I have recently acquired a male eclectus and he is very cool =) cuddly and sweet and pretty laid back. I have only had him for just over a week and he is just a baby but he is fitting in just fine =) I haven't had any real hands on experience with Alexs but the eckies have always appealed to ne a lot more

 

[froche3]

P.S For Ekkies does it actually matter whether you have a male and female / do they have different personalities? And Freespin, could I have a few pics and maybe some more description / character traits / cage size / toys, just so I know? Also are there different types of Ekkies?
Thank you
Faith

 

[Betrisher]

I've never had an Eclectus, but my Alexandrines are the best thing that ever happened to me! They're clever and funny and smart and sweet and athletic and stunningly good-looking! They can say 'hello' and warble a few bars of a song, but mostly they chew things. They love chewing wood and plastic toys - not so much paper. Their beaks are very large in proportion to their bodies, but mine have never been problem biters (although, like any bird, they'll give a warning nip if you ask too much of them). I keep my Beaks flighted because they love to fly: it's their absolute favourite thing to do and I could never rob them of their wings!

The reason I wanted Alexandrines in the first place is that they are the most intense green I have ever seen in a bird - and my favourite colour is green.

Oh, and one other thing. I've read that Alexandrines are not the cuddliest birds. I've found this to be true with mine: both actively dislike being touched at all, although Barney will allow head scratches if I feed him a treat at the same time. He's recently found it's pleasant burrowing up under my plait and sitting there on the back of my neck. Not Madge, though. She'll nip me if I try to touch her and will only swing off the bottom of my plait, trying to chew on my ponytail band. I have other friends who say their Alexes love cuddles, so I can only go by my own pair. If you're really after a snuggly, warm and fuzzy bird, an Alex might not be for you. But - if you're after a really clever trick learner who is curious and highly intelligent, then think about getting an Alex. I LOVE mine and wouldn't swap them for anything!

 

[Betrisher]

Cage size: I beggared myself to get a cage that is 6' x 6' x 3'. I had to provide the Beaks with a cage in which they could stretch their wings, flap and fly a little because I could see how very much they loved their flight, even though it must be indoors. If I had it to do over again, I'd have gotten a flight aviary for them (and perhaps one day I will). It's nothing special about Alexes: I just believe it's an awful shame to deprive a creature of the thing it was born to do and flight is pretty fundamental to birds, y'know?

Character traits: Funny! A basically curious and inquisitive nature means these birds will leave no stone unturned in their search for Truth. They lift things, roll things over, pick things up and fly away with them and generally spend most of their time finding Things out. I love that about them! They're also very athletic on a playgym and will spend much of their time upside-down and swinging from things. I have sat and LOLed for half an hour straight, just watching Barney and Madge play!

Oh, and they're very greedy. They'll do anything for a food reward! They hate it when it's time to go through the tunnel back to their cage, but they do it every time for a humble peanut. This is very convenient for me, of course.

Toys: we have a large boing, circular swing, traditional swing, rummage basket (stainless steel icebucket filled with shredded paper and hidden treats), cargo net, numerous plastic pram toys and teething rattles, phone books, pipe bells (DO NOT give Alexes traditional bells: they will first eat the clapper, then the bell itself) and foraging toys, both home made and acrylic ones from pet shops. I cut up slats from timber pallets into rounds (like cookies) and hang the leftover slat up in the roof of the cage. The Beaks will hang from that and chomp on it until it's gone. The rounds last a bit longer, but not much. Did I say they love chomping on wood?

I have lots and lots of other toys, made from stainless steel and plastic chain, cardboard, wooden beads and other found stuff. Sometimes, I think I'm just on a continual search for birdy toys! LOL!

Hope this helps a bit? I think, if you got an Alex, you wouldn't be sorry. Did you ever think of getting both an Alex and an Eclectus?

 

[Freespin]

I have always got on better with males (horses and dogs anyway) which is why i went for a male. I have heard the males are a bit more laid back and dont get as moody as the females though i have never had enough to do with a female to compare.
Eckies do have special dietary requirements as they need a diet that consists of at least 75% fruit and vege =D I was a little worried about this part initially but i have actually been finding it really easy to just mix up a large bowl of food and freeze it in portions once every couple of weeks and i actually really enjoy doing it =D They can make a pretty loud "short sharp" piercing sound but they are known to be one of the quieter parrots. I have no idea of my cage measurements but its a large parrot cage that my partner originally had for his sulpha crested too. I think toys are pretty standard for a large bird... Will sort out some pics etc of him and his cage, toys and food etc when i get home from work =D

 

[Pammie]

I've never had an Eclectus, but my Alexandrines are the best thing that ever happened to me! They're clever and funny and smart and sweet and athletic and stunningly good-looking! They can say 'hello' and warble a few bars of a song, but mostly they chew things. They love chewing wood and plastic toys - not so much paper. Their beaks are very large in proportion to their bodies, but mine have never been problem biters (although, like any bird, they'll give a warning nip if you ask too much of them). I keep my Beaks flighted because they love to fly: it's their absolute favourite thing to do and I could never rob them of their wings!

The reason I wanted Alexandrines in the first place is that they are the most intense green I have ever seen in a bird - and my favourite colour is green.

Oh, and one other thing. I've read that Alexandrines are not the cuddliest birds. I've found this to be true with mine: both actively dislike being touched at all, although Barney will allow head scratches if I feed him a treat at the same time. He's recently found it's pleasant burrowing up under my plait and sitting there on the back of my neck. Not Madge, though. She'll nip me if I try to touch her and will only swing off the bottom of my plait, trying to chew on my ponytail band. I have other friends who say their Alexes love cuddles, so I can only go by my own pair. If you're really after a snuggly, warm and fuzzy bird, an Alex might not be for you. But - if you're after a really clever trick learner who is curious and highly intelligent, then think about getting an Alex. I LOVE mine and wouldn't swap them for anything!

Are they loud?

 

[kme3388]

I have a male Ekkie I adopted 2 years ago. He is 18 years old. He’s has a lot of similarities to any other parrot. I’ve had conures, budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds. I used to volunteer at a shelter that has a wide range of parrots. They all can learn tricks, be friendly, engaging, and such. They can all also bite, be loud, destructive, messy, and such. My conures chew through toys just like a macaw. The macaws toys are just larger, and more expensive. The larger the bird the larger the cage the larger the mess the worse the bite is, the larger the poop is, the harder it is to clean it up… are all things to think about before bringing a parrot into your home. There are reasons why $5000 macaws are in shelters all over. They are not easy to live with. They have a lot of needs. If you have minimal experience with parrots I would highly recommend you visit a local shelter to really get a view of a life with a parrot. If you still want one… it’s a great idea to get a parrot. You at least then know what you are in for. If you have experience with parrots ignore the above. Obviously you already know what you’re in for, and don’t mind.

 

[TenthDoctor34]

Alexandrine's are wonderful birds, I sadly didn't have my boy as long as I would have liked due to his issues but he was funny and had lots of personality, I would have another Alexandrine easily.
Electus are coo and seem lovely birds l, I have met a few over the years with different personalities, One was a naughty male who refused to come out the tree at a parrot Picnic. Research on both species is good and what you think you can handle. Also depends where you live and whether neighbours can handle noise. I mean the last Electus I met was loud but I think she was just bored sitting in back the pet shop as she screamed the entire day I was there unless I went to say hi to her. (I dont know why she wasnt allowed out her cage at time either) But she was louder then my Alex was.