Greetings bird lovers

[Conquer_Death]

New here and my daughter (age 13) was talking about getting a bird. after looking on youtube at bird clips she got more interested. i only had parakeets fifteen years ago and that was my only experience. my wife doesn't mind a bird in the household. our cat already lays and walks around on the table during dinner. he's outdoors 98 percent of the time. i researched the bird types and came up with the Eclectus.
Our home is usually quiet. the occasional neighborhood kids drop by once in awhile. we have three small dogs. I probably won't pick up a bird til early 2012 but fun looking at all the details.

 

[BirdieNumNum]

I don't know much about Eclectus but I know they are prone to plucking and they can be very loud! For a first parrot I know the green cheek conure is very popular, and I LOVE conures! Just a suggestion, but if you have your heart set on an ekkie, go for it!! Welcome to the forum!

 

[andrea.faerie]

I also suggest a conure they can be QUITE loud though... An ekkie is also a loud bird. depending on the volume level.. the quietest bird i've ever seen is a pionus... my blue head is nearly silent.. unless he's got something to say! he's a talker when he's in a good mood! he knows how to say quite a few phrases

 

[mtdoramike]

Eclectus parrots have a scream that can break crystal I think. But the good thing is most are only loud a few times a day for a few minutes. Mine spends more time sitting and chattering. They are one of the smartest species of birds that I have come across. Yes, they can pick up the habit of plucking and well as many other species. But I would suggest starting with a smaller bird. Eclectus tend to be more of a second bird. Plus with all the animals in your house already, how are you planning to deal with a bird.

You listed a cat that walks around on the table and I think 4 small dogs? Cats and birds usually don't mix. Also some dogs don't get along with birds either. Eclectus like to be in a more quiet slow paced environment. Your house doesn't sound like it would fit that bill.

 

[pawsfoot]

If you feel that you can handle a bird and realize that the bird will be your priority than no one will stop you. You must know however, that your child will eventually grow up and leave and this bird will be "stuck" with you. An Eclectus can live up to 50 years, and the more we are perfecting their diet and needs the more we are finding out about them. That means they could have the potential to live longer. If you are willing to make that commitment than congratulations. I have a very active household and my Eclectus is fine. She is not a screamer, and only gets loud in the evening when she is "calling" to her flock. All birds will make noise, and most of them can be VERY loud. I would say research a lot, and decide if you can truly handle a bird. The Eclectus will be nothing like a parakeet and if not properly socialized they have the potential to push you to the brink of insanity.
My biggest piece of advice is RESEARCH!! Make sure this is what YOU and every member of your family wants and can handle.
Also you know your other animals mennerisms and what they can handle as well. I have 2 dogs and 1 cat and all my animals get along fine during their SUPERVISED interactions, but no matter how comfortable I am with them being together I would never leave them unattended.

 

[Hochimama]

Maybe you can try Indian Ring Neck first ~~ ^^

 

[Remy]

I think it would be a good idea to experience a smaller parrot before getting a big one. I had a few cockatiels when I was growing up, and they were awesome! They can talk (some of them) and sing and they make great pets. They're also a lot easier to deal with if they decide to bite you. Puck bit me a lot (to the point of drawing blood) when I first got him, largely because I didn't know how to read his body language. Now I can read it, and I know when I can and can't pick him up.

A long time ago (when I was 12) I researched parrots and decided an eclectus was the perfect one! We didn't get one because we weren't comfortable with the long commitment that comes with a large parrot though. I'll probably get one eventually though.

Have you spent much time around parrots? If not, I highly suggest going to a parrot store or a parrot rescue and seeing how you can handle their noise. Parrots have a totally different mentality than dogs and cats. Unlike dogs, you have to befriend them, as opposed to showing dominance.

I love my baby though!

 

[Conquer_Death]

I am researching and not rushing into this with a blindfold on. My three dogs aren't too bad. they might chase each other around or play with their toys but nothing completley obnoxious. my cat i can keep outside anyways. no problem with that. plus the cat is 13 years old or so and won't be around forever. i've been to Appollos Birdstore nearby and will drop by there today after work to see her five week old female eclectus. i'll keep reading and have looked at the food requirements and some schedules how people feed them. i want to make sure i know what to expect before i get one so i'm prepared. i understand to my daughter will grow up and move on in life. i'll discuss things with the family as time nears if we get a feathered friend. we're home alot and work 40 hours a week like most. i like the fact they eat veggies and fruit. that'll make me want to eat better too.

 

[JensFlock]

I think I would maybe check into the smaller conures and cockatiels. I have a male ekkie, and he is wonderful, but they do take a little more attention to feeding.

At my house, breakfast goes like this.....

Shove a bagel down my throat while scooping out the birdie pasta.
Sip my coffee while putting the fresh veggies in a bird dish.
Feed the dog while getting the sprouts into the dish, and off the floor. (You know, the animals all have to help...)
Make sure there is enough of everything thawed out and available for the next feeding.
I say it like that jokingly, but ekkies can't just have pellets or seed, even on days when you're in a hurry. My birds always have pellets available, but that's not their main food. They really do eat better than I do.

I'm not trying to talk you out of an ekkie, I just want to make sure you make the right decision. You have plenty of time. I would go to every ekkie website you can find and STUDY

 

[theocnoob]

Have you looked at hand raised lovebirds? They are very quiet and don't NEED you to involve them in your life all the time every day. If you want them to, you can fully involve them in your life like you would with a conure and they socialize with you much like a parrot. They are also much more affordable than conures, and you have a wider choice of colors, which kids like. JM2C