New Eclectus question

[Socalguy]

We are looking at getting a 2 year old female red sided from a local store that has been around forever. They breed other birds but not Eclectus's. they did sell this female to the first owners who then gave her to one one else recently. That person was in an apartment and didn't want to keep her. We spent a couple hours with her yesterday and she did really well with my wife, she sat on her shoulder and was giving my wife little kisses on the lips. We are looking to go back today and possibly take her home. We have 2 dogs over 6 and 2 adult kids at right now ( hopefully not forever though haha). the birds feathers are a little thinning on each side of her head by the ears. The owner of the shop is not sure what caused it, but thinks maybe the cage was to small and she rubbed her head on or through to bars. It's the same amount on each side. Any advise would be great and what cage size is good. We have a large space available for it.

Would it be better to wait for a baby vs getting a 2 year old?


Thanks

 

[Anansi]

Hello, and welcome to the Parrot Forums family!

I don't think there's a "better or worse" when it comes to getting a baby as opposed to a 2 year old. In fact, there will be a number of similarities as neither will have gone through puberty as of yet. Every bird is an individual, and it's hard to know before you get them home exactly what their particular quirks and idiosyncrasies may be. I'd say that if this ekkie seems to have chosen you, she might be the way to go. You either have that initial spark or you don't. Given the thinning on the side of the head, however, you should definitely get a veterinary checkup to find out if there isn't a medical issue going on, here.

As for the cage size, definitely the bigger the better. IMO, 4 feet wide is really good. Definitely no smaller than 3 feet wide if it can be helped. 3 feet or more deep is also good. No less than around 2.5 feet deep. And 5 feet or more high.

 

[Socalguy]

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See side of head for missing feathers, its the same on other side.

 

[Scott]

The choice of either a baby or young adult is worthy of discussion, but the notion of being "chosen" by the bird is tremendous! You will especially see this in play at a large pet shop with multiple birds.

In this case, if this Eclectus is friendly towards you both, she is worthy of great consideration!! Some birds naturally have the thinning of feathers around the ears, but a vet well-check may establish whether there is cause for concern.

Good luck, please keep us posted!!

 

[Socalguy]

So far Bella is doing great at the house, she is coming out of cage and playing and sitting on our shoulders. She is not afraid of the dogs at all and she slept perfect last night. My only concern is she is losing more feathers around her neck area since yesterday. She does not seem stressed at all and she is eating good. Are there any parasites they can get that would cause this?

 

[Terry57]

Congratulations on your new addition to the family!
As far as the feather loss, I would take her in to have an Avian checkup, just to rule out anything scary that could be wrong.
I am so glad you brought her home, she is beautiful!

 

[Socalguy]

ok I will look in that . A local friend with 2 parrots has a good one for us.

 

[Socalguy]

Doc appt on Monday but as I sit hear watching her she is scratching the area with her feet and that is what is making her feathers disappear.

 

[Violet_Diva]

It could be that she has a skin problem that can be treated easily with medication. It is also important that eclectus have regular showers as this helps their general skin and feather condition too, had she been bathing regularly before you got her? Please let us know what the vet says after her appointment and how she's doing

 

[Socalguy]

So Bella is doing great and must have been well trained by someone. She only goes to the bathroom when we put her back in her cage. She loves to be held and petted and snuggled by my wife. She kisses and nuzzles her also. She has no fear of the dogs and she dosnt care when they bark. We are using a spray bottle for her baths right now, she dosnt love them but she is ok with it. I think her feathers are missing because she was scratching there. Seems like we got really lucky getting her, to bad we could not get more info from the store on her like her exact age and who owned her before.

 

[Anansi]

If she's scratching to that extent at the sides of her head, I'd say it's a good thing that you're taking her in to the vet. There likely is something causing the level of itchiness that would trigger that much scratching. Please keep us updated on what the vet has to say.