Galah vs. Eclectus

J

JackTheParrotLover

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Feb 13, 2016
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This will be my first bird. Before you guys go screaming at me about how I need a Cockatiel or Parakeet let me tell you my background. I volunteer at a place where I get to work with large birds. I've worked with U2's, B&G's, YNA's, RLories, Budgies, and CatMac's. I've decided that I like the big birds a lot more and the medium size is easier to work with for me. I have about 4 hours to delicate to the bird and I'm gone from 7-3 everyday. I am prepared to make a fresh diet for the Eclectus everyday and I am prepared to flight train. Noise level isn't that big of an issue as long as it's not Sun Conure 24/7 scream. I'll most likely be buying this summer so if anyone knows any breeders in Texas that would be appreciated, thanks!:)
 
Why not both?! :)

Seriously, it IS a good question and only one you can best answer as Ekkies and Galahs have distinct personalities and needs. That you are aware of the complexities of larger birds will make you a better parront.

I have a female Ekkie and lots of cockatoos, but no Galahs, so my advice cannot be precisely targeted. Galahs have the general reputation as being more mellow than many white Toos.

Sun Conure scream? LOL, know just what you mean!
 
You don't have to buy any birds from Texas. A lot of breeders ship their birds, but if you would like a bird from Texas, try looking for a bird shelter. There is one in Texas called Bird Haven if you want to check that out.

Due to me loving Galahs, I would personally say Galah. I don't know much about eclectus parrots, but I do with Galahs. Galahs are very intelligent, smart, and beautiful birds. They are closely bonded with their owners, as so Eclectus parrots. But due to Galahs being a cockatoo, they need lots of attention, and snuggles. If trained properly, and bonded properly then you will have a great pet. Because of you being away for so long, try to spend as much QUALITY time with your bird, also make sure he/she has a big cage with plenty of room, toys, and toys. They needs toys, lots of them, especially forging so they have something to do all day. If you have any questions about either side, feel free to ask the forum! We would LOVE to help, and good luck on your decision. If you would like some good breeders for me to list, I would love to do so. :)

Thanks, Gracelyn. :)
 
Scott said:
Why not both?! :)

Seriously, it IS a good question and only one you can best answer as Ekkies and Galahs have distinct personalities and needs. That you are aware of the complexities of larger birds will make you a better parront.

I have a female Ekkie and lots of cockatoos, but no Galahs, so my advice cannot be precisely targeted. Galahs have the general reputation as being more mellow than many white Toos.

Sun Conure scream? LOL, know just what you mean!
Click to expand...

That is actually a good idea, when she is away maybe they can keep each other entertained. I would imagine it would to be fun to have one crazy-ish bird, and one more calm bird. :)
 
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Cockatoos are wonderful pets but in my experience, are a lot more time consuming than some other species. Based on my limited Ekkie experience, they seem a lot more adaptable and easygoing.

Some more practical considerations would be dust. Cockatoos can be very dusty birds.

Of course every piece of advice regarding temperament is dependent on the bird as an individual. Each has its benefits and drawbacks depending on your lifestyle. For Eclectus, they need a very specific diet and that requires energy and time researching, not to mention time preparing their meals. Galahs are beautiful but the Eclectus is brilliantly colored.

What does your heart say?
 
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Ok so I'm confused about one thing. The general rule of attention given to white toos' is 4-6 hours a day. What is it for the galah? I'm assuming it's a more manageable 2-4 hours similar to a macaw. If not could you tell me what it is?
 
My galah is out probably 3-5hrs a day, and the rest of the time he's in his cage but by a window with a decent view, and in the family room with a lot going on (I work with children, from home). His 'out times' involve scitches while watching telly, wandering around the floor, flying with the other birds and self entertaining on his playgyms.
 
JackTheParrotLover said:
Ok so I'm confused about one thing. The general rule of attention given to white toos' is 4-6 hours a day. What is it for the galah? I'm assuming it's a more manageable 2-4 hours similar to a macaw. If not could you tell me what it is?
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My Galah is probably out for a minimum of three hours most days, but that's not all in one 3 hour block.
He'll have an hour or so on his window perch, an hour or so on his play stand and the other hour will be split into playing/training sessions throughout the day. If I can pay attention more than that, he'll be out more as well.

But I also spend most of the day in the same room as his cage, although when he's in his cage he seems pretty much oblivious to me and plays with his toys happily so I don't think he needs me to be with him then
 
I aim for at least 4 hours of daily interaction. Galahs are more independent than the white 'toos and pretty great at self-entertaining, but they're still cockatoos. They're little balls of energy. Merlin will play by himself for a while, then come over to me for scritches or to play games, and then run/fly off to explore again. Never a dull moment with him.

I vote for a Galah, btw!
 
witchbaby said:
I aim for at least 4 hours of daily interaction. Galahs are more independent than the white 'toos and pretty great at self-entertaining, but they're still cockatoos. They're little balls of energy. Merlin will play by himself for a while, then come over to me for scritches or to play games, and then run/fly off to explore again. Never a dull moment with him.

I vote for a Galah, btw!
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Mines the opposite, will tolerate interaction and playing for a short burst and then fly off and do his own thing.
 
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Alright his might seem odd, but I'm throughing a new bird in the mix. I'm removing Eclectus and adding in Blue Crowned Conures. I know, big differences but I've been told go for something like a conure since I technically haven't owned a bird before, what's your stance on that?
 
Conures are wonderful birds. It's your call. I've had both, like many here. Ekkie is definitely more work. But I confess I find him to be more rewarding. Plus many people can handle my ekkie. Couldn't say the same for my conure.

personality wise, conures are more clownish, curious and cuddly. My conure always wanted touches and pets. My ekkie, by comparison, is not as curious or outgoing. Bit of a perch potato. Wants to be near the hustle of the living room but not necessarily part of it. Half the time I ask him to step up he runs away and just want to hang out on his stand (not fearful, just opinionated). and don't you dare touch his head!
 
My one conure was a potato bird - not a perch potato, but an actual potato. He did nothing. Nothing interesting. He ate and pooped and did nothing else. He was a GCC.

The Sun Conure had me begging for mercy and my screamer Macaw didn't him a candle to the noise that Sun Conure made. Good gosh, just thinking about it now makes my head hurt!

If you're wanting something smaller, I suggest Caique over conure. They are wicked playful and super sweet but still have HUGE personalities. They are a big bird in a little bird body and cognitively more fulfilling than most other "little" birds.

I wrote off Eclectus for over 20 years because of wrong stereotypes I was told. Had I known they were the perfect match for me, I would have had a lot less heartache over the years.

I run a quiet house. Even with foster birds around and lots of dogs, I like peace and quiet. The CAG talks incessantly but she hates my guts as though I were her worst enemy on earth.

The Eclectus? Boy is it wonderful having birds who are not one-person birds. Looking back, I'd say that should have been important to me. I never saw myself having a husband in the near future but I have a husband and a child and I want them to be able to have a relationship with the birds. And that sure did backfire when Molly bonded with my husband, who is NOT a bird person! My point is, be careful what you wish for. You can't make a one person bird choose you! In fact, if that's what you want, it will probably go the opposite way [emoji4]




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Brittany741 said:
If you're wanting something smaller, I suggest Caique over conure. They are wicked playful and super sweet but still have HUGE personalities.



That's the thing, I don't want something smaller, but that's what most people are recommending the, because they are a smaller bird. I'm up for the challenge of a larger bird, and I had to pick a conure for some reason, I would pick a BCC
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