Looking to get an eclectus Parrot???

[JPL1106]

Hi, I'm new to the world of birds. After doing many hours of research I've decided that a male eclectus Parrot would be a good option for me. I'm very familiar with needy pets being that I have a beautiful saltwater reef tank in my home, so I feel that a Parrot although challenging on a different level would be something for me. My local pet store has a male eclectus about 3 months old. He was just taken out from the babies and put into a cage with a couple conures a few weeks ago. His bright green colors haven't completely developed, but the store owner told me he won't achieve that until he's a little older and sheds his feathers for the first time. That being said I was at the store yesterday and when I tried putting my hand near his cage both him and the two conures started snapping at me.... A little intimidating. Anyways I asked the owner to take him out, and he sat him on my hand. He was very curious to say the least. Looking around at everything and all the other birds in the room. He was also very curious with me... He would sometimes kinda bite my hand, not very hard but enough to make me question his temperament. Whenever I would try to pet him with my other hand he would cowl down and then try biting it... If I let him get a hold of it he would give it a few decent squeezes. I guess it kind made me wonder if he just needs to get used to me? I hate to pay for such an expensive bird and have him be not friendly. I mean he did stay on my arm for a good 15 minutes. He tried flying off once but I picked him up and returned him to my arm. Also when I put him back in his cage he once again went after my fingers. Is all this normal behavior like the store owner told me???

Thanks

 

[Boysmom]

Hello and welcome to the forum ! Have you owned parrots before ? Eclectus are not generally considered a starter species. Ekkies are a bit clumsy and mine uses her beak as a hand to steady herself, that is why she " bites " gently, it is actually called beaking. My girl has never snapped at me in her cage, but my girl had an instant bond with me from the instant we met. I keep my Ruby clipped, so I dont have flying problems, and it gives the owner more control of the bird. She can't fly away during training sessions or injure herself by accidentally flying into a window or door. It sounds to me like the little guy you are interested in may be testing his boundaries with you. If you back off when he nips at you, it teaches him that he is in control rather than you. He will bite more to get you to leave him alone, it reinforces the behavior. It is normal parrot behavior from a young bird to a stranger, older parrots will do the same sometimes. You will have to learn to read his body language to avoid a nasty bite. Most Ekkies do not like to be petted on their backs, as they are not usually a cuddly species. Ruby likes to cuddle, but cuddling also resulted in a nasty bite to my face just recently. I guess I had been cuddling her too long, and she just reached out and took a chunk out of my cheek. It punctured the skin in 3 places and tore the muscle underneath, which still hasn' t completely healed. Ruby has only bit me twice , and the other occasion was when a tornado went through our backyard and she was frightened. Ruby stays on my body most of the day and goes just about everywhere I go. I love and adore Eclectus, just make sure to read everything you can come across about the species. You can always come here for any help or advice you need.

 

[JPL1106]

Thank you for the response. I have never owned a parrot before but from what I've read having one as a pet although difficult in the beginning has its rewards. Other parrots are either too needy or too BIG or have lots of dander (alergies in my family lol) The biting thing was weird cause it was like he was squeezing my finger over and over again but the more he kept at it the more aggressive he got. Is there a way to control that? The guy at the store said to drop your arm because it will throw his balance off and he'll stop, but I don't know if that's gonna cause a problem in the long run... I've also red on a her someone who kept a clear glass pot top in her one hand to block the bites. The bird would see their hand but when it went to bite it would hit the top. Another person kept a piece of wood clothes pin on their other hand, so the bird would bite the clothes pin instead of their hand. Lots of options but whats right and whats wrong? Ate their and good books to buy on training them?

 

[mtdoramike]

Male Eclectus don't particularly like to be handled that much. Mine will allow me to pet his back, neck, head and belly areas as well as lift his wings up. But he doesn't like to be grabbed and will bite if tried. The problem with getting such an expensive bird at a pet shop is that they usually aren't hand raised. They are pulled young and sent to pet shops and aren't really handled that much.

If I were going to pluck down $1000.00-$1200.00 for an Eclectus which is what one would cost in my area, I would get one from a breeder who has a good reputation and will hand feed the bird as well as socialize him before he is offered for sale. I can find one cheaper from what I call Back yard breeders that does it as a hobby, but you won't know what you are getting with them and most want to sell you an unweaned bird.

Nut with this said, you will have to ensure that you socialize the bird really well because any bird that you get hand tame or not, will eventually revert back to being wild and unhandlable if you don't spend quite a bit of time with them on a daily basis.

Bottom line is, I would reconsider the Pet shop Eclectus unless that is all there is to choose from.

 

[JPL1106]

Thank you for your response... The pet shop i go to specializes in all birds... Greys, eclectus, macaws... Everything. He buys the birds young (no feathers, fuzzy, laying on the bottom of whatever they are held in and he raises them till they can be sold. I've been there a few times while he hand feeds them..(takes them out and squirts some of thAt milky liquid food in there mouths) he ses to know his stuff and definitely hand feeds them, if what I described is what you are referring to... His price is $1200 for the male. Im in jersey and the cheapest I've seen for one is 1100 but that one was sold already. Every other shop is like $1500-1550. I plan on spending the time with the bird, that is if its worth it and if nothing I've described sounds like an EVIL bird lol... They are so beautiful and I'd love to have one

 

[Selestine]

Hand fed doesn't necessarily mean hand raised. You can feed a baby bird pretty forcefully and quickly and stick it straight back in it's little box without spending any time socializing it.

I'm getting my baby male eclectus on Saturday, and he's perfectly content to be handled and petted. He doesn't want to be scritched or anything like that (he'll sidestep your hand), but he steps right up on your hand if you put it in the cage and enjoys having his back, chest and beak stroked. If you talk to him he leans toward your face and is obviously intently listening to what you have to say. I'm getting him from a couple who raises several breeds of birds and spends pretty much all day playing with and raising their babies.

 

[legal_eagle]

I would recommend a green cheek conure at your level of experience. (I also think they are great birds, regardless of your level of experience.) If you spend the amount of money that an Electus costs, you're going to build your hopes and expectations up really high. So from a purely monetary perspective, you probably will not be as disappointed with setbacks if you buy a less expensive bird. When I moved from budgies to a larger bird, I decided a GCC would be a good way to see if I like having a larger parrot (admittedly not that much larger, but still more of a traditionally parrot-like bird). I still have her after 14 years and she is an excellent companion. But I recognized that I couldn't predict at the beginning how it would turn out, so I decided a smaller monetary investment was better. Also, GCC's probably don't bite as hard as Electus, although I've never been bitten by the latter. My philosophy is that once you've taken on the responsibility for a pet, you can't get rid of it just because it turned out to be more difficult or less rewarding that you thought ... it's like a child that you're morally responsible for.

On a side note, I understand that Eclectus have specific dietary needs and health issues not found in other parrots. But the owners of such birds who post here know about that and can advise you.

 

[moni.k]

I got a female eclectus as my first parrot. It was challenging and took some time learning her body language and getting used to her dietary needs. If you want an eclectus and your set on the idea of a pet bird, I don't see why you should settle for less. However, like everyone stated, they aren't the "cuddly" species. Don't get me wrong they are affectionate in their own way. But not the kind that likes to be pet. They're content sitting on a perch and observing the family. Nalani loves to sit with me and watch tv. She'll curl up on my neck and fall asleep. She loves giving and receiving kisses, but doesn't like to be pet too much.

Before you decide on an eclectus, I do want to inform you on some down sides. They're dietary needs, once you get used to it, is pretty manageable. However, I can't go on long vacation trips. I constantly need to be home to feed her, take her out, give her baths, clean her cage and her perch. Because they require a diet majority of fresh fruits and veggies, she needs to be fed 3 times a day (since the food begins to rot pretty quickly). My schedule is built around her and taking a whole day out with friends, means that she'll go a whole day in her cage without fresh food. I do have family who take part in caring for her, but she is my responsibility and I am the main care taker.

The cost is much more than what I ever expected. Nalani was my first parrot, so I thought it was normal, but after I got my green cheek conure, I realized that an eclectus is so much more expensive. Everything, from toys, cages, cleaning supplies, perches, veterinary bills and especially diet. I've spent thousands of dollars on Nalani alone in the first year that I've had her, and the cost won't get any cheaper for the next 50 more years. While in comparison, I've only spent a couple hundred on Layla and she's got everything she needs.

I just want you to consider some of the sacrifices you need to give in order to bring an eclectus into your life. I don't regret choosing an eclectus as she's brought so much joy and happiness. However, I just want you to prepare and understand that bringing an eclectus home, means changing your whole life.

 

[JPL1106]

Thanks for the replies... I know that they are a lot of work, but I didn't think your life would revolve around them? The cost of fresh fruit and veggies doesn't matter since im a bit of a health and already buy fresh produce for my GF and I. She actually happens to work part time at an animal hospital as well (discount on check ups). Im kind of getting the impression that if you don't sit home all day with an Eclectus parrot that you can't get one?? I mean I would dedicate time when I am home for training and bonding. I also read that you shouldn't have a set schedule for them or else they can get clingy and LOUD like cockatoos do when you're not around??

 

[dulphinz]

My first parrot was a male eclectus and we got him back in February. I've never had birds before but I've been reading all I can about taking care of them and I think that if you're up for the challenge why not. I work all day and he seems content to be out when I get home and on the weekends he's usually out most of the day. Sometimes he does choose to simply stay in his cage and hang out. He liked scritches every once and a while but is very content hanging out and watching tv with us at the end of the day. I think if you are ready to put in the time with your bird then go for it

 

[JPL1106]

Dulphinz its good to see someone who's new to this telling me to go for it... For a second i kept hearing all these stories about how much work they are, and it was starting to deter me from wanting to pursue this. I understand you need to put in the time with these guys but if I have to sit by the cage all day waiting to feed him or clean the cage or any of that, then whats the fun in that. I want to enjoy owning a eclectus and I think I will... Honestly the diet part seems like the easiest thing... Handling and training him is the difficult task IMO.

 

[dulphinz]

Again it takes some getting used to but if you can read as much as you can and you know what you are getting into why not. I'm far from Baird expert, I consider myself an apprentice. But I do everything that I can to provide a healthy diet, spend as much time as possible wit Coco, he had plenty of toys, gets outside weather permitting, and he seems pretty happy to me. He's been destroying his toys and although we haven't done a ton of training he is doing pretty good with stick training. Hope you find the right Ekkie

 

[Oedipussrex]

I don't think you should worry too much about the time and effort required if you have done your research. Though I would make sure your GF or anyone who lives with you is also on board, because regardless of who 'owns' them, parrots become part of a household and the whole 'flock' involved.

I have been a lot less active on these forums because i cant really contribute on any 'normal' behaviour or issues regarding Ekkies in general, but for me the training and learning his body language was quite easy. If you are consistent, responsive behaviours become easy to recognize. Training also becomes easier once you have developed some trust regarding biting and have 'step up', and target training down; all the other training just builds from those two basic ones imo.

They do benefit from routine and consistency. But once you get into that routine yourself once you bring them home it becomes the most natural thing ever. They can invade your whole life in a way but it is not overbearing, because it just becomes the way things are and the bond you can share with them is worth it. As long as you understand that unlike your fish, the challenge with parrots isn't simply providing the right care to keep them alive, but to keep them happy and mentally stimulated.

I got pickle at 4 months and he never bit me or any member of my family, and already knew the command to step up. I could have just been lucky with his personality, but making sure a baby is weaned and socialised can make a huge difference in how the first weeks or months of having them home turns out.

 

[JPL1106]

Well im still not sure about the one i was looking at at the local bird shop. Thinking maybe getting to one earlier, he has another one thats still fuzzy and in a separate baby tank. Maybe putting a down payment on him, then going there a few times a week to interact with him. Then take him home when he's ready, and before he's put in a community cage with other older birds like conures and such. I feel like if he's in a community cage he can pick up bad tendencies? Would that be a better route then purchasing the 3 month old one who's already been in a community cage for a few weeks?

 

[BreakinNewz]

Curious since you are in NJ which Bird Shop are you shopping at?

 

[MikeyTN]

Baby birds can learn bad habits real quick! Regardless where they come from I would still keep him under quarantine for the time being. That way you can interact with him alone, In a month period under quarantine, you'd be able to teach them all kinds of stuff. Even the 3 month old, you should still do the same.

 

[ShellyBorg]

I NEVER recommend a "community cage". Even in large aviaries you take a huge risk in the birds hurting/killing each other. In even a large cage if someone decides to get the other there is just not the room to get away.

 

[MikeyTN]

I NEVER recommend a "community cage". Even in large aviaries you take a huge risk in the birds hurting/killing each other. In even a large cage if someone decides to get the other there is just not the room to get away.

I didn't comment on that part cause I'm not exactly sure what he meant by community cage. Is it a cage that's around other birds? or large aviary like cage for all the birds????

 

[ShellyBorg]

I am hoping he is talking about the "baby bird" cage that many stores have. Where they just place all the young ones in one place that are not sure enough of anything to be a threat to any one. My fear is many people read/see that and decide that cohabitation of birds in one cage is OK.

 

[nicki]

This is great to see you are doing your research! I think that is the most important thing you can do to prepare for a baby. Also, prepare for the personality you may get. Right now its up in the air who your baby may become. He may talk, he may not. He may be cuddly, maybe not. You just never know. I am a happy mom to a 6 month old ekkie. Its a lot of work, a lot of noise, but that second you hear their voice makes it all worth it.

Also, my ekkie was my first bird ever! I had been researching for the parrot fit for me, and ekkie seemed perfect. What I was unprepared for was how loud he can be, but its funny how you can learn to block out squawks!