Semi-Educated

[EsJ87]

Hello !

I am here to gather some opinions on some of y'all Ekkie experts. . .
WARNING SUPER LONG POST AHEAD! Stay with me.... & help! lol

MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
I've owned birds all my life, budgies, parakeets, cockatiels, etc... My Mom currently has an African Grey so I'm familiar with the necessities of a medium size parrot. In fact, I helped with much of the handling the first year he was home (but then I moved out) and now Mom is his ONE PERSON and he hates everyone else. . . My husband and I previously adopted a Pineapple Conure, she was super smart, very cuddly, and easily clicker trained... BUT were unable to keep her in our for multiple reasons, so we ended up returning her to the original owner/breeder. I was totally heartbroken, and my husband promised at the time when we owned our own house maybe we could adopt another bird... 2 years later, and here we are 2 months into our large new single family home!
___________________________________________________

My husband had decided to gift me a bird for my birthday this year (in April).
He had selected a Solomon Island female (because i don't like the color green lol) Ekkie as the bird of choice... and was planning to purchase a baby in advance, and take me to the pet store to let me hold it once it was weaned before saying "SURPRISE ITS YOURS!"

However, We went to visit some Toucanettes and Aracaris a week ago (just for fun! I had no idea he was going to let me get a bird!) ... long story short I kinda fell in love with many of their qualities... They're quiet, super cuddly and no biting or plucking! After seeing me with the Toucanettes, he decided then and there he wasn't so sure anymore that he should pick a bird FOR ME since I'll be the main caretaker, trainer, and maid LOL So he ruined his own surprise and told me I'd be allowed to get a feathered friend for my birthday this year.

To be totally honest, my husband HATED the conure's constant barrage of seemingly random screams... and the conure also bit his fingers bloody on almost daily occasions. We aren't sure what lead to these behaviors and I tried multiple avenues for diversion, training, etc to no avail. . . So - my husband did a lot of research in picking the SI Ekkie due to their speaking ability (which i Love in Mom's grey), more docile/calm nature overall, their relative quietness in parrot-speak (no 90 min screams), and the fact that they aren't really NEEDY birds like a cockatoo. I'm VERY MUCH drawn to the species once I was able to do some research on the over the last few days. . . However, I fear that while I may tolerate and even learn to respect their random screaming and hormonal biting - That my husband may not be so forgiving WHEN it does happen.

I AM TORN!
Should I go for the fun, trainable, talkative, gorgeous Ekkie that will occasionally bite, pluck and scream.... If so, is a Boy a better loving pet than a girl?
Or should I go with the safer bet of a small, quiet, cuddly Aracari toucan that won't present any of those issues (but will also arguably not be nearly as entertaining)... SIGH.... First World Problems y'all!

HELP!!?!:red:


PS - Our current family only consists of myself, my husband, and 2 doggies. An Aussie Shepard (4) and a lab mix (5). . . We live in a 2000+ sq foot home with huge open spaces, and I would plan to have my new bird free-flighted under supervision. I'd also like to do clicker training with any bird I would adopt as I found it to be great fun!

 

[Flboy]

Of zero help, but follow your heart! Welcome!

 

[wrench13]

Please read this post , by a female ekkie owner

http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/67275-female-ekkies-can-wonderful.html

Also use the search feature, its quite good and powerful, to read more on ekkie care. they have more demanding nutritional requirements then most species. But ekkies have the cutest voices.

 

[EsJ87]

The dietary needs are OK by me as the toucans themselves have extreme diet needs.
I'm just more concerned about the behavioral issues - and how common they might be.
I don't want to do wrong by the bird itself if that makes sense lol

 

[itzjbean]

Hello!! If you're interested in an Ekkie, read the thread linked above and then I highly encourage you to look up Taw5106 's posts about her female, Venus and maybe message her and ask her about her experience with Ekkies thus far. It is very insightful info and you will learn a lot. Venus chose her and was her BFF (super sweet, affectionate, rode on her shoulder everywhere) until she hit sexual maturity and hormones kicked in and she got very aggressive, constantly trying to find a dark place to nest, laid eggs, bit her a bunch, etc. It happens in lots of species but Ekkies seem especially nasty at puberty time. Toucans are cool but in the end you should go with what you two decide together, which would be easier to care for over time.

 

[davefv92c]

here is my story first off purple has always been my favorite color (old hippie thing I guess) I was in a Petland to get some reptile goods and I did have a couple of cockatiels at home and wanted a parrot I fell in love with 2 females they had when I asked a price they told me 2800 bucks each I stopped looking at that point. later I decided to search my area to see what was here for a bird store. well I found a breeder and then the research started I bought a couple of books about the Eclectus, and did a bunch of reading on the computer. after careful study I decided on a male just due to all the changes you have to go through with the females. Maxx is now 9 months old I was involved in his weaning and did visits a couple of times a week so when he came home he already knew the wife and myself. he is such a well mannered fellow I don't know how to take it he is not loud and loves to be handled, he is talking already and one heck of an eater. he is part of a 6 bird flock and seems not to pay much mind to any of the others. all around a great companion.


another reason I decided on a male is in the past I have not had very good luck with female pets have spent a ton of money on vet bills for reproduction issues
once I started reading about egg laying problems that can come up. that was enough for me, even though my Amazon is a female but she kind of picked me when I was in the nursery visiting Maxx and I just could not leave her behind.

 

[EsJ87]

Thank you for the responses~!!
I have read some of the posts on the Female Ekkie adventures and i gotta say I am terrified to be in that position some day. I know I can put one work into reading body language, and given the FID her space but i just don't know how long of an extended period I could handle it for. I am very loving with my animals, and while I don't need (nor want) a bird cuddling with me all day, I WOULD like to be able to pet her a work with her on tricks etc...

 

[Anansi]

Ekkies don't have to become pluckers, biters or screamers. But they are birds who need a healthy amount of interaction with their people. Yes, hormones can be problematic. But that is true of most parrots. And some are more dramatically affected than others.

Basically, if you are going to get a parrot you should go into it hoping for the best, but prepared for the worst. Truth is, birds can be as varied in their personalities as humans. If you decide to get a parrot already past his/her years of puberty, though, you'll have a better idea of the personality you'll be taking home.

As for aracaris and toucanets, I think those birds are great if you can house them in aviary sized cages. They need A LOT of room. Not to mention you'll wish they had more room once you experience their propensity for projectile defecation. Nothing like being sprayed by jet streams of fluidic fecal matter to start your day off on the wrong foot. Lol!

 

[EsJ87]

... If you decide to get a parrot already past his/her years of puberty, though, you'll have a better idea of the personality you'll be taking home...

... Nothing like being sprayed by jet streams of fluidic fecal matter to start your day off on the wrong foot. Lol!

LOL! I have been made aware that these birds require a fruit and veggie diet - which makes for messy birds and messy poops! So I guess neither of those things will sway me one way or the other. :26:

I hadn't thought about adopting an older bird... for some reason I've always been under the impression that adopting a bay is the best way to go... Maybe I'll have to rethink that aspect for an Ekkie? ... It WOULD be nice to know the temperament right away as opposed to the wait and see approach of puberty.

Thanks for the advice!! I am planning to go see a female at a local bird specialty store this Seen her once before a few weeks ago and my husband confirmed she was still there 2 Sundays ago... Can't recall how old she was tho!

 

[SailBoat]

I'm an Amazon Snob!!! For me, there is only one true Parrot, but that me!

For anyone getting any Parrot there is really only one 'Major Rule' that must be followed: Let the Parrot Choose You!!!

There are far too many nightmares from those who fall in love with a specific coloration, Species, size, etc... They choose the Parrot of their Dreams and the Parrot wants nothing to do with them!

So, if you want a specific coloration and species combination -or- any Parrot: Let the Parrot Choose You! That may mean that you will have to visit lots of places, travel great distances, but it will all be worth it!

 

[coopedup]

Im a big proponent of rescue/adoption. They seem to know that their world has changed for the better and their gratitude is reflected in their attitude. Maybe im projecting onto them, but in all of my rescues (dog and bird)--the breeder bought pet was more difficult than the rescue pet. Dont let the stories on here scare you off of a particular gender or breed, it's one persons experience, and we typically vent more about our challenges and frustrations and health issues than we do about our wonderful day to day interactions with our fids. I may rant about what a brat Wrangler was today--wouldnt eat breakfast, crapped on my bills, hammered my head with his beak for an hour this morning while I was trying to sleep in on my first morning off in ages....but i dont always glow enough about how he always comes looking for me, how fun he was to watch trying to get the nut out of the ball this morning (before he got frustrated, threw it on the ground and proceded to terrorize my desk), how well we've bonded, and how happy he made me last night when he let me scratch the top of his head for an hour. Every child/fid/dog/pet has their own personality and some not so endearing characteristics, but that's what makes them individual. They also give a lot of love and laughs and i dont think there is anyone in here who would trade their fid for the world. Best of luck to you, and welcome

 

[EsJ87]

Thanks again for the responses. I am getting the sense that for the most part - People love their birds regardless of whether they think they're the perfect FID, or are very well aware of their negative quirks that make them difficult. As for - adoption. I am more than willing, but I have not found ANY at the time. We thought we found a female SI Ekkie via Craigslist that was being rehired for 800, but by the time we tried to set an appt to meet her she had already been sold. Otherwise I am not aware of any rescues for aaekkies in my area. I am in Riverside County, Murrieta to be more specific. If anyone has any recommendations for locations to look ( and Avian Vets too!) Please let me know!!