Need help deciding

LordTriggs

New member
May 11, 2017
3,427
24
Surrey, UK
Parrots
Rio (Yellow sided conure) sadly no longer with us
Hello. I had a Green Cheek Conure up until recently who died, unfortunately he was very young (I suspect he was ill from birth and didn't know of any vets that could see him due to living in england where Avian vets are few and far between). I've been suggested by one person I know to get an Eclectus but I need some help deciding between that or another Green Cheek. Both the ones I have seen are hand reared babies

My main things are that I live on my own so it would only be me giving attention to the bird,

I work each weekday leaving at about 7:30AM and returning home at about 5:30PM sometimes 6PM.

I live in an apartment so would be worried about noise. My GCC was very loud when he wanted which he would do often once every other day I'd say, but I've never had a complaint from my neighbours.

I would like a bird that is playful and likes to cuddle but can also do its own thing, not needing me constantly.

On the upside I managed to do some very good work with my GCC in the short time I had him, He would fly to me if I waved my finger and if I left the room with him out he would often fly after me so he was obviously bonded with me. I got him step up trained within a couple days of owning him and even managed to get him to say a couple phrases, "What you doing" "thank you" and "night night" The last he said the final day he appeared healthy. Saying that he has been my only real experience with a parrot.

I have found a breeder near me with both a male and a female so I know at least for now they are there but unfortunately I wouldn't be able to see the bird until picking them up. He requires a deposit for the bird which isn't too expensive but in total the Eclectus would cost £700 as they are extremely rare here. I've seen the stuff about their diet which is fine, I can feed it plenty of fruit and veg (I need help getting through what I buy for myself anyway) and I know that they don't like racous noise. My apartment is 2 stories and open, meaning that the upstairs room is a balcony looking over the living room so it would have plenty of space for outside cage time. I would also need to get a new cage either before or very quickly after getting the Eclectus as I feel my cage wouldn't be suitable for it

Now there is also a Green Cheek Conure for sale near me too for £85. It would be ready to go as soon as I am there to look at it and decide. I've got experience with the breed, the cage is more than adequate for it and I did enjoy mine although I don't know how I would feel about getting the same species of bird as my old one.

If anyone out there could help me with my decision it would be extremely helpful
 
Welcome to the forums, thanks for joining! My deep condolences for your loss. It is always painful, particularly when young, and it seems you were closely bonded.

I haven't lived with a conure for decades, but understand GCCs are extremely popular. They are quite different from Eclectus, a rather iconic and oft times difficult to "read" species. My female was extraordinarily and atypically cuddly. The male was of typical personality with a brilliantly clear voice. Neither were noisy save for the occasional "fog horn" proclamation. As noted, diet is what sets the Ekkie apart! The challenge is both physiological and metabolic. Both species, if properly socialized, are well capable of more autonomy than a cockatoo! Would also recommend locating an avian vet within reasonable distance if possible.

It will be important to devote plenty of time with either species given your workday. While some believe "x" hours of interaction daily are needed, the quality of time is crucial.

Your decision will be more difficult given the strict terms of acquiring the Ekkie. Oft times one or more visits are necessary to assess bonding and suitability. There is a notion of letting "the bird choose the person" but only possible when a large base of choice is available.

Lastly, please give some thought to the time interval since your GCC passed and your stage of grief. If you still feel significant and lingering pain, adopting any bird may be problematic, more so if another GCC is chosen. Good luck with your quest, the choice is vast from a personality and cost POV.
 
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my conure died about a week ago. I feel like I am over his death as I only knew him for about a month. Luckily the breeder of the Ekkie I have talked to knows a vet that's not far from me which they use.

I'm going to see if I can get my mum to convince the breeder to let me see the ekkie before I fully commit as I've never seen one in person. I may even offer the deposit to sweeten things up with him
 
Male - easier to deal with hormones

Parker has something to say about that

[ame="https://youtu.be/TBPpJpO8QKY"]Parker the parrot hormonal and angry - YouTube[/ame]

He was relegated to his cage for three or four days, no coming out. Completely unhandleable.

Lordtriggs, If you're in an apartment I don't recommend an ekkie. I would keep it to one of the pyrrhura conures (GCC, maroon belied, pearl, painted, etc). Possibly an Indiana ringneck.
 
my conure died about a week ago. I feel like I am over his death as I only knew him for about a month. Luckily the breeder of the Ekkie I have talked to knows a vet that's not far from me which they use.

I'm going to see if I can get my mum to convince the breeder to let me see the ekkie before I fully commit as I've never seen one in person. I may even offer the deposit to sweeten things up with him

I'd definitely recommend meeting with the breeder and eclectus before committing! They are strikingly beautiful, with unusual single strand "hair-like" feathers on the upper body.
 
Male - easier to deal with hormones

Parker has something to say about that

[ame="https://youtu.be/TBPpJpO8QKY"]Parker the parrot hormonal and angry - YouTube[/ame]

He was relegated to his cage for three or four days, no coming out. Completely unhandleable.

Lordtriggs, If you're in an apartment I don't recommend an ekkie. I would keep it to one of the pyrrhura conures (GCC, maroon belied, pearl, painted, etc). Possibly an Indiana ringneck.

Parker is in full Pon Farr mode! :D:eek:
 

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