Fell in love with a male Eclectus

[FutureDVM]

I fell in love with the sweetest male Eclectus today . I just recently started volunteering at a local parrot rescue. It has been an absolutely amazing experience and I already feel like I've learned so much. There are so many wonderful birds there, but my absolute favorite is a male Eclectus named Sake.

He is such a sweet, gentle bird. When I got him out of the cage, he kept climbing up onto my shoulder to hang out and he did NOT want to go back into his cage. He even hung upside down from my hand and laid on his back in my hand. I seriously think I'm in love with this bird...

An Eclectus has always been my dream bird, and I was originally planning on waiting to get one, but now I don't know if I can pass up this opportunity! I would absolutely love to adopt him and I'm pretty sure I could make it work. The only thing I'm really concerned about is space, since he'll require a pretty large cage.

Does anybody have any thoughts?

 

[jaimmorr]

Hey, didn't you say you were going to wait on my thread?

Heheheehee. I say go for it... But what do I know? I'm getting an Amazon (maybe)! Hey, to be honest... It sounds like he's "picked" you. And I think that's awesome. If I were you, I would go for it. Just make sure you're being realistic with yourself and be sure that you will be able to give him a good life for the duration of his life.

 

[LolaLowlie]

I think its a great idea it sounds like you have a connection with him. I think that can be difficult to do with rescues, at least so soon. That's just my opinioin. Maybe you want to spend more time with him at the rescue since you are a volunteer and if time is not an issue. They do require a bigger cage they love to climb around. I say approx 36x36 there are some really good deals around if you look really hard on the net. They are beautiful, loving birds and the way they look at you, you'd think they were looking into your soul. I say go for it if its a good time in your life and you don't think your other bird would mind

 

[FutureDVM]

Hey, didn't you say you were going to wait on my thread?

Heheheehee. I say go for it... But what do I know? I'm getting an Amazon (maybe)! Hey, to be honest... It sounds like he's "picked" you. And I think that's awesome. If I were you, I would go for it. Just make sure you're being realistic with yourself and be sure that you will be able to give him a good life for the duration of his life.

Haha, yes I did say I was going to wait, but he's just so darn sweet! He seemed to really like me. I really want to try to make it work. Also, the rescue provides a long-term foster program, so I feel confident that if my living situation ever changed, I could temporarily house him at their facility. They take EXCELLENT care of their birds, so it's good to know I have that option if I ever need it.

I think its a great idea it sounds like you have a connection with him. I think that can be difficult to do with rescues, at least so soon. That's just my opinioin. Maybe you want to spend more time with him at the rescue since you are a volunteer and if time is not an issue. They do require a bigger cage they love to climb around. I say approx 36x36 there are some really good deals around if you look really hard on the net. They are beautiful, loving birds and the way they look at you, you'd think they were looking into your soul. I say go for it if its a good time in your life and you don't think your other bird would mind

Yeah, we definitely seemed to have a connection right away. That's why I think I'm really going to have a hard time passing this one up. I definitely want to spend some more time bonding with him though. I know exactly what you mean about them looking into your soul! They have so much expression in their faces.

 

[Spiritbird]

I wish everyone that wants a bird would do what you are doing. Volunteering is most rewarding. Usually a volunteer coordinator would visit your home and look at the space you have to let you know what they think. Maybe that is the way to go. Sounds like a nice bird.

 

[wenz2712]

It sounds like a great Bird I also love Male Ekkies.. I would go for it, if its what you really want.. Go with what your Heart is telling you to do

 

[mtdoramike]

I say go for it. I'm sure the rescue center would even consider a trial bases adoption for you. But once you have him, I doubt seriously that you could give him up. They are very remarkable birds. But not very adaptable to change and this is especially true for male Ekkie's.

If you also have a smaller bird, don't be surprised if the male Eclectus doesn't get along with your smaller bird. Mine doesn't like Tiki my Senegal and will chase her around the house trying to peck her on the back with his beak. So I have to keep the seperated. This to me should be your main concern and also noise. Ekkie's aren't very vocal birds or noisy birds. But they do like to let out a scream or screech every now and then that I think could breal glass if given the right circumstances. So if you live in an apartment, this could be an issue.

 

[FutureDVM]

Thank you everyone for all of the input! The more I think about it, the more I think I should go for it . Of course, I'm still going to need to find out some more information from the rescue to be sure I make the right decision. I know that they do home visits, and I think they do have a 90 day "trial period" when you first adopt a bird.

I'm not really too worried about the Ekkie and my other bird getting along. I would prefer to just keep them separate anyway, simply due to the size difference. If I did end up adopting him, his cage would be in a different room than my conure.

I will definitely have to consider the noise issue. Although I don't live in an apartment, I do have two roommates, so I will need to check with them to make sure they're okay with it. I know I can handle the occasional screech here and there, but I wouldn't want to make my roommates uncomfortable at all. Could any of the Ekkie owners give me some more insight on exactly how loud they tend to be?

 

[JensFlock]

Congrats on finding an ekkie. They are amazing birds. I have a male and he's so good.
As for the noise, I can only tell you what mine is like. He has his times of making noise with the conure, but only for a few minutes at a time. The conure is much louder.
He is capable of being loud, but he doesn't scream at top volume.
I would check with the roommates, but I think you'll be ok. I do live in an apartment.

 

[mtdoramike]

Yeah, my Senegal, which is touted to be an apartment bird is way noisier than my Ekkie is. Now, Mac can get louder than Tiki my Senegal, not nearly as often. He usually will make his morning calls and an occassional scream during the day. But for the most part he is a fairly quiet bird. Tiki on the other hand can make a preacher cuss sometimes when she gets on a roll.

Mac's thing is he likes to just sit and chatter up a storm. He has one of the clearest speeches of any bird that I have ever heard. He also mimics male and female voices.

I see you live with a couple of roommates. Male Ekkie's don't do well in a changing or noisy environment. Females are much more suitable for those kinds of conditions. Male Ekkie's tend to get stressed out very easily.

 

[FutureDVM]

Yeah, my Senegal, which is touted to be an apartment bird is way noisier than my Ekkie is. Now, Mac can get louder than Tiki my Senegal, not nearly as often. He usually will make his morning calls and an occassional scream during the day. But for the most part he is a fairly quiet bird. Tiki on the other hand can make a preacher cuss sometimes when she gets on a roll.

Mac's thing is he likes to just sit and chatter up a storm. He has one of the clearest speeches of any bird that I have ever heard. He also mimics male and female voices.

I see you live with a couple of roommates. Male Ekkie's don't do well in a changing or noisy environment. Females are much more suitable for those kinds of conditions. Male Ekkie's tend to get stressed out very easily.

Thanks, that gives me a better idea of the noise level I would be dealing with. As far as the roommate situation, myself and both of my roommates are more reserved, quiet people. We all definitely appreciate our quiet time, so I don't think this would be much of an issue.

 

[Oedipussrex]

hahaha i know it will vary between individual birds, but my male ekkie is actually quite shy and is never very loud unless we are vaccuming, when he makes the best of the loud opportunity to make as much noise as he likes without be a nuisance. lol XDD

 

[kimmyj]

Just go on ebay n buy a cage if u can, they are a lot cheaper then pet shops. I feel if u don't u will always wish that u did! and u will always wonder what if so do it. Best birds i love my little girl couldn't imagine life with out her!

 

[GiosMom]

Just go on ebay n buy a cage if u can, they are a lot cheaper then pet shops. I feel if u don't u will always wish that u did! and u will always wonder what if so do it. Best birds i love my little girl couldn't imagine life with out her!

I just bought a cage on EBAY...it rusted in 4 days. Dealing with returning it now. So just beware what ur getting. I will never do that again.

 

[Boysmom]

my Senegal was much louder than my eclectus ! Ruby in early morning or when scared will sound like a peacock. She talks much more than makes noise, and she does speak in several different voices and dialects. My son is an actor, so he has taught her various dialects, her Irish is hilarious. I have 4 sons and a Hubby and homeschool two of them, so she is never home alone. She is quite curious and playful with the whole family.

 

[MikeyTN]

I say go for it. Since you already have a conure, Eclectus isn't noisy at all!!! They talk and make funny noise more then the occasional scream which doesn't bother me what so ever. They're excellent talkers and I know you would enjoy him very much. Just make sure you understand his diet needs first!

 

[Molcan2]

OMG, if you have a conure... you could deal with any noise level. It sounds like he has chosen you . As far as the space issue, whats the sense in having space in the house if you can fill it with something you LOVE. I would much rather replace an end table with a java stand any day.

 

[FutureDVM]

Good news! I got the okay from my roommates and my landlord so I'm gonna go for it. I'll be going back to the rescue tomorrow to volunteer, so I will find out more info about him.

 

[LolaLowlie]

Hey how'd it go? Are you going to be a proud new ekkie owner?

 

[FutureDVM]

It turns out he's not even up for adoption . Oh well.... At least I still get to visit with him whenever I volunteer. Also, I did actually find a male ekkie on craigslist that comes with a large cage. I called the owner and it sounds like a wonderful bird. He already says about 30 words and phrases and he's very friendy and healthy. I have my fingers crossed that this one will work out