Mixing Species???

[forbey]

OK, I just found a thread in the Rehoming section for a female Solomon Island Eclectus 'Gaia'. She is an absolutely stunning 8 month old in need of a forever home.

Skittles is a male BF Amazon.

If these are the only two birds in the house, might I expect problems down the road?

I know I would need to new bird(s) seperate from other family members, but for how long?

If they are flight-capable, do they need to be out at seperate times.

Can Amazons bred with Eclectus? AND what creature might emerge?

Sorry, shouldn't be flippant, but I can't help it.

I will need to study the Eclectus further before making a decision (oh, yeah ... I have to ask mommy, too!)

Thanks,

Forbey

 

[Featheredsamurai]

It would be fine having a eclectus and amazon living in the same home. Your problems would arise as I would with any birds in which they simply dislike one another.

No, they cannot breed together lol

Eclectus have specialized diets, they are fruit eaters and do not do well on pellets.

 

[forbey]

I answered a couple of my own questions...

I just got off a page that says they can cross breed. I hope you're right or Uncle Forbey has to baby sit. The specific Ecclectus is only 8 months old so there is a year or two to mature.

What I have found shows they are happier in a flock in nature. How well do they do without a fid companion. Will the parront fill in as the companion and will the zon mix well?

She might be able to convince Skittles that there are other great foods in the world besides seeds.

Do they do well with a pelet/ fresh fruits & Veggies diet? OK, you answered that one for me too.

Are they projectile squirters like many of the fruit eaters can be?

 

[MikeyTN]

No forbey they can not cross breed!

The problem can arise if you don't pay attention when both are out! Never leave them unattended cause you never know!

 

[Grinder]

It sounds like you are looking forward to them possibly being great friends or more. You REALLY need to read more about having multiple parrots. I say this all the time and so do many others - if you're getting another parrot it is always first and foremost for YOU. Odds are these two birds will merely tolerate and ignore each other with a good possibility of them not liking each other at all. You would literally be creating twice the work for yourself ESPECIALLY if they can not be let out at the same time. Are you still going to let them out separately for a few hours each (at least) everyday? Do you have that time commitment? If you have no breeding experience I would certainly hope that you wouldn't want these two (or any two) parrots to mate. It's certainly possible these two could hit it off, but I'm guessing your first bird may not take to kindly to having to share you with another bird.

 

[weco]

I can't speak to caging a BFA & SIE together, but unless you plan to breed two birds, they should not be caged together, unless their being caged together is a choice of their own making.....even same specie birds birds shouldn't be caged together unless you are setting up a breeding situation.....

Many times the current bird develops some jealousy when a new bird is introduced into the flock, especially when it perceives the new bird to be an interloper cutting in on his/her attention and if the potential problem is not handled & addressed properly, the birds may have to be prevented from out of cage interaction.....

 

[forbey]

It sounds like you are looking forward to them possibly being great friends or more. You REALLY need to read more about having multiple parrots. I say this all the time and so do many others - if you're getting another parrot it is always first and foremost for YOU. Odds are these two birds will merely tolerate and ignore each other with a good possibility of them not liking each other at all. You would literally be creating twice the work for yourself ESPECIALLY if they can not be let out at the same time. Are you still going to let them out separately for a few hours each (at least) everyday? Do you have that time commitment? If you have no breeding experience I would certainly hope that you wouldn't want these two (or any two) parrots to mate. It's certainly possible these two could hit it off, but I'm guessing your first bird may not take to kindly to having to share you with another bird.

Thanks! All very good points.

Deciding IF we want an additional bird, or birds, is easy to discuss, but not so easy to commit to. Skittles is the first and I don't want to risk ticking him off permanently.

I would take note, having ONE bird, was first and foremost for ME. Deciding on additional birds is the same. Those here in the forum that have many birds in their home still have them for themselves and not for the other birds. That is a given. We have two dogs, both rescued, both keep each other company, both are for us. Life is a gift ... worth sharing! The decision to increase the menagerie is not one I will take lightly, bit it is one that I will forever investigate.

Forbey

 

[Grinder]

That's great to hear. You're not taking things lightly and giving them lots of thought. We have three dogs ourselves and while they bring us much joy the decision to add the third was actually more for them and not us if you can believe it. Our two cats tolerate each other, but love the dogs, sleeping in the crate with them (we always have to check for them!) and sharing water dishes, etc...

So far none of our birds hate each other. They can all be let out under close supervision. The Grey is the only one that wants to venture to other cages. All my family members interact with each parrot so they get a lot of attention through out the day. Our Caiques are the only ones caged together. We've got three more parrots coming within the next couple of weeks. That will be the last of the growing family. Anymore and it would be too much of a stretch time wise and monetarily.

 

[MonicaMc]

I'm not sure where someone would have said an eclectus and amazon could hybridize... sure, they can mate, but that doesn't mean that the eggs will be fertile.

I have heard/seen of some strange hybrids (conure x amazon, caique x illiger, rainbow lorikeet x king parrot, rosella x kakariki, etc) but have yet to hear of an eclectus hybridized ouside of other ekkies.


Right now, I have two birds who do not like each other and do not get along, yet I can't interact with either one of them singularly away from the other without one of them contact calling the other. The other doesn't seem to care if I take only him away. Go figure! LOL