To get her a friend, or not to get her a friend.

[BiancaK]

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I've logged into the forum. I trust all of you are well and had a blessed Easter!

Here is my Q!

My Husband want's to get Layla a "boyfriend" as he calls it.

I'm not very well educated amongst birds, as Layla is our first Parrot.

She is 5 months now, going on 6. Two weeks ago she started to wistle differant types of tunes, and sounds and we are very excited about it. We also think she is trying to talk, but it is too early to make out what she is trying to say.

My worry is that a friend / mate will cause her to stop talking, and that she won't be as tame as she is now. - You know, when they start to "fall in love"...:53: and that they will become territorial over each other?

We are not planning on breeding with them, just want her to have a friend during the day when she is home alone.

Please advise what any of you has experienced regarding this situation, I'm all ears.

Also, another Q: What do you do in winter time with the cold? Our winter is coming up and we experience some extreme cold at certain periods of winter, and I don't know how the Ekkies adapt to the cold?

 

[sodakat]

She is at a good age to accept a friend, in my opinion. Youngsters who grow up together usually get along very well.

I would not get another female. Although they might be great friends for a couple years, eventually they will begin seeking and protecting potential nest spots and could severely hurt one another. Adult female Eclectus are extremely instinctual about nest protection so this is very serious.

Females who are used to males do not fight with them like they do with other females. Instead, they teach the male to be at their beck and call.

It has been my experience that pet birds remain pets regardless if they have mates/companions. They may have periods where they don't want to be fooled with (a day or so here and there) but generally they like their people and their companion.

Many pet Eclectus never ever mate and most do not produce chicks. With the larger subspecies, especiallly Vos, there are few pet males who will even associate with a female in that regard. Instead they want to be with people.

If she is a Solomon, the odds are greater that she and a Solomon male *might* become mates.

They will each need their own cage, btw. At some point, when they make the decision, they may be able to live in a large cage together.

 

[Parrotdise]

I think Kathy provided wonderful advise. I would just like to add that i also think it is a good idea. My sister has a solomon island male and he doesn't really enjoy the company the company of the other birds, i think he would rather be around his own kind. My sister has moved in and out of the house a couple of times and he never seems that thrilled to be placed back in with the other birds (an White bellied Caique, White Capped Pionus, Blue Fronted Amazon and Severe Macaw). He has shown signs of being lonely, when my sister had lots of schooling going on he would rather have her attention than be with the other birds, but we have all had feeling he just would like to be in a room with another eclectus. I think Getting another female is your best bet, as your bird gets older i think she may start expressing the need for another ekkie as it seems with my sisters bird. Lastly, I just want to mention something to be prepared for, I have kept two Double Yellow headed amazon females and my Mother two caiques. Having a household with two of the same species they speak the same language and it so going to be louder. It may change the human parrot bond slightly but i think with two eclectus they are probably happier which is the better all round outcome. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Grinder]

I pretty much agree with everything that's been said, but I would like to pass along one piece of advice someone gave me. It's just to put things into perspective. Basically they told me (paraphrasing of course), "Make no mistake about it. If you're getting another bird, you're getting it for yourself and not your other bird(s). If they get along or most likely simply tolerate each other, then that's just an added bonus."

I've been lucky in that our birds not only tolerate each other, but also spend time together (they do have their own cages though). I knew there was a chance that they might not like each other.

 

[sodakat]

Grinder makes a good point, you never know if two birds will hit it off. But, because you have a baby and would be getting another baby, I think the odds are good. Older birds who have never lived with other birds, especially others of their own species, are less likely to become friends, unless one of them is VERY determined and the other is open to being pestered.

 

[BiancaK]

Thanks for all the great advise!!!!

We were considering getting a Male S.I, from the same breeder- same "parents" as well. (Layla is the first generation from that breeding pair) They're so beautiful!!!!!

My other concern is the second cage that was mentioned! That was one of my concerns as well, as our apartment is a bit small and we don't have enough space in the living area for a second cage. (I already removed one couch and our rocking chair so their is space to breathe since we added Layla's cage!)

Up until what age would you say is a "safe" age to get another parrot? We are planning to buy our own place, but that will probably only happen within the next 1- 2 years? Would you say it would be better to put it on hold until we have a bigger place so we can get the second baby his own cage?

 

[sodakat]

Since you are considering siblings, you must know that unlike people, birds don't have taboos against mating with family members.

I would wait until you have room for two cages. Not saying you couldn't make it work, but since your girl has lived alone in her cage for a while she may not want a roommate. Plus, regardless how well they get along I think every bird needs to be able to sleep separately if they want.

I cannot predict if they will get along when she is two or three. I only know from personal experience and from what other Eclectus owners have told me, that the odds of friendships are greater the younger the birds are when they meet.

Now, older birds who have mated and are re-pairing with different adults will often accept a new mate. That is the nature of Eclectus. Not old single birds so much though, especially if they don't even know they are birds.

Two is not old, but Solomons become sexually mature around that time, give or take a little.