Wanting an Eclectus; Questions...

[gtstokke]

Hello Forum,

My lovebird Moe passed away not too long ago, and my wife and I are missing having a feathered flockmate. We have done internet research and decided that we'd like to bring a male Eclectus into our family. We won't be ready to bring home a new bird for a few months, but I'm very excited, and trying to learn as much as possible in the meantime.

I'm aware of these birds' unique diet requirements, and have read as much material online as I can find, but I'm wondering if forum members can recommend any specific sources of info. The vast majority of online resources seem to only provide superficial information. I'd like to learn as much as possible about these beauties. It appears the Land of Vos website is no longer available, and I had appreciated the info therein years ago when I began to look into this species. Does anyone know whether Land of Vos is gone for good? Any good Eclectus book recommendations? I've seen for sale online Eclectus Parrots: A Complete Owner's Manual, but it appears short, so I'm wondering if its worth buying.

I've begun reaching out to some local breeders, as I like the idea of spending some time with a baby bird while it is weaning before we bring it home. A question regarding selecting a specific bird/breeder: Can anyone elaborate on the differences between the common subspecies? A breeder near me has Vosmaeri, and I've read they can be more aloof, but perhaps more intelligent. I've gotten the impression that Solomon Islands are more docile but maybe lack some of the depth of the larger subspecies. Red-sided somewhere in between maybe? I've had small birds all my life, but this is my first (and probably only) large bird, and I definitely want a parrot that behaves like a large bird.

Any recommendations for Eclectus breeders in North Carolina?

Thanks in advance for any insight! I'm sure I'll be on here lots more in the months ahead to ask questions and share about our new flockmate.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there, and welcome to the forums.

Yes, unfortunately Land of Vos is no more. It was a phenomenal site, with such great information and resources. Many of Carolyn's articles can be found right here: COMPANION BIRD WORLD Your Online

And here is another great write-up about Eclectus http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/52737-so-you-think-you-want-eclectus.html

I don't know of any Ekki breeders in North Carolina, unfortunately, but perhaps you could do a custom search for one on BirdBreeders.com - Bird Breeders Directory of Availability and Parrot Breeders

 

[Anansi]

Hello, and welcome to Parrot Forum!

Here is another link for you. This has always been, far and away, the best ekkie diet site out there. At least, IMO. http://www.eclectusparrots.net/diets.html

As for the intelligence comparisons, I don't think any of the sub-species are inherently any more intelligent or deep than the others. Eclectus in general are highly intelligent parrots.

 

[littleredhen77]

the link Anansi posted is the one that was most helpful when i was starting out. i printed most everything on that site so i could look at it all the time and memorize it. ive had my bird since the summer and im still learning things he likes and doesnt like..of course the fact that he changes his mind makes it harder lol i will buy something only to have him not like it and i waste most of it, then a month or 2 later ill have the EXACT same thing and he decides its awesome and he wants to eat it all day long.

 

[obeck]

Food temp was, is a big thing with my boy. That was something I couldn't find online. The best thing I bought is a food processor.

 

[gtstokke]

Sad to hear confirmation that Land of Vos is no more, but thanks for the link to some of her articles, JerseyWendy. They were informative. Glad to hear that birdbreeders.com is a good source, as that's how I've been trying to locate nearby breeders.

I'll definitely keep the diet page at eclectusparrots.net bookmarked. It looks quite comprehensive. Regarding diet, the two breeders I've spoken with wean their birds onto something like a 50% fresh or frozen fruits & veg / 50% natural pellets & seeds. I know eclectus should have very limited quantities of pellets, but I'm wondering whether weaning onto pellets/seeds is the norm, or whether I should be concerned. Am I to assume that pellets are beneficial for weaning birds that may need more nutrient-rich food for early development? Regardless, it would be my goal as a new parront to eliminate or significantly reduce pellet consumption as quickly as the bird would allow.

Thanks for the insight regarding subspecies differences, Anansi. I suppose I needn't be too picky about subspecies, but I am curious about how pronounced any behavioral differences may be.

My lovebird didn't like his fresh food straight out of the fridge, obeck, so I've had a little exposure to temperature sensitivity. Does your bird like his food at room temperature, or warmer?

Finally, can someone define "fid"? Is that a feathered kid?

Thanks again!

 

[Dopey]

Yes - fid is feathered kid.

I love my ekkies. I was afraid to get one at first because of all of the "requirements" of their diet. Well, turns out most of our fids should be on that kind of diet any way.

I heat up my food for my birds everyday. By now I know how long it takes, how many food dishes I can wash or how many water dishes I can change while the food heats. It soon gets to be routine. BUT that can change at any time because the birds want it too.

I'm fortunate because I haven't noticed that my birds don't like their food. Fact is, they pretty much empty the bowl by eating the food not by dumping the food. My Ekkies tend to take a bite out of large pieces and drop the rest. If the food given to them is too fine they don't eat much. Now the size they seem to like is the size of a pea or that of a corn kernel.

My ekkies don't like pellets. Seriously, if I give them pellets (and I do about once every 6-8 weeks) they don't eat them. They don't throw them out of the bowl either. Seed they get on occasion and I've noticed they are loving it. Nuts and fruit...they tend to throw to the ground.

I have a male vos and a female SI. The female LOVES me to hold her and cuddle with her for about 5 minutes...maybe 7. The male likes to hold my hand with one foot and leaves the other foot on the door of the cage. He is slowly letting me spend more time with him. However, lately his been like to mate with me so our time is limited until he starts his mating dance then it's back to the cage with him.

 

[Anansi]

Hahaha! Yep, got it in one. Fid = Feathered kid. (Some also use it for furry kid, though.)

As for behavioral differences between subspecies, I have had a male RS, and currently have two SI, one male and one female. I really haven't noticed much difference at all in temperament or behavior. Both Bixby (my dearly departed RS) and Jolly (my make SI) are very active, enjoy flying and beak wrestling, and are quick to learn. Both also quite sweet tempered and really good with bite pressure.

Maya is also intelligent and rather active, though she'll rarely ever fly. (I believe this is due to her having been clipped before fledging, and therefore never having learned to fly.) She's also very sweet and loving... to me. Yes, she tends to be something of a one person bird. But I'm working on that. She's definitely quicker on the biting trigger, but I'd attribute that to her gender rather than subspecies. Remember that, in the wild, the females are the protectors of the nest while the males are the food gatherers.

Though ekkies are generally seen as more hands off birds, the three I've had have all been big fans of being held and petted for as long as I'll do so. They're just VERY selective about who is given that privilege.

One constant I've noted is that, due to the unique nature of their feathers, ekkies don't like to be petted or scritched "against the grain" so to speak. It irritates them.

Regarding food temp, all of mine have been fans of warmer food. Definitely not right out of the fridge. They'll eat room temp, but they get far more enthusiastic about food that is much warmer. Almost hot.

The pellets aren't necessary as long as they are eating a rich variety of foods with an emphasis on vitamin A heavy veggies.

 

[obeck]

When I say temp was a problem it was a BIG problem. If it was too hot he wouldn't eat it if it wasnt warm enough it went everywhere. He does like his food warmer than I was comfortable giving him. Just if he doesn't like something try a little warmer. He eventuallly got less demanding because he liked his food but it was a good 2 months...

 

[chris-md]

I can't say enough about my Ekkie, he's such a sweetheart. He definitely brings something special to my life.

I do want to emphasize what's been implied above, when cared for properly Eclectus husbandry is WORK. I have one bird and am cleaning 4 bowls twice a day, two areas twice a week (one is a stand that needs some disassembly), daily cleaning of floors and walls to prevent ants because they fling their food, always cooking and chopping and reheating...and he's a plucker, so I'm constantly tinkering to try to solve that.

I say this because not everyone is cut out for it and can burn out quickly. I'm lazy, so it almost happened to me. But our relationship has...deepened profoundly over the last month, for lack of a better description. This has made the work totally worth it.

You really have to be ON at all times. I've always said owning a parrot is like a dog, with the teaching potential, empathy and companionship. And I maintain this. But the big difference is with a dog you can let them be, not worry about them while they are "around". Can't do that with a parrot, in this case it's exactly like having a human child. That's what I've found most exhausting; there's never a break. I'm always worried about "has he pooped?" Or "does he need a snack", or even fretting about if he's relaxing or actually bored. You can ease up if they are locked in their cafe, but I'm insistent Parker be out of his cage when we are home so on weekends he's out 12 hrs a day.

But like I said, it's worth it. I wouldn't trade it for anything. My partner would miss him too, and he only occasionally helps with feeding (bird is all mine, eddie just likes to hang with him on his shoulder, so everything falls on me).

 

[drlisaort]

I did exactly as you are and researched for quite some time before deciding a male Eclectus was perfect for me. I had a Cockatiel for 23 years before he passed and knew I had to have a bird again to fill the silence as mine was a chatter box. I picked out Oliver when he had just one green feather and spent every weekend bonding until he came home in January of 2013. He was born on my birthday September 9, 2012. I can't say enough about how awesome Oliver is and the fun we have. He's truly amazing. I wish the best experience for you!

 

[Anansi]

I did exactly as you are and researched for quite some time before deciding a male Eclectus was perfect for me. I had a Cockatiel for 23 years before he passed and knew I had to have a bird again to fill the silence as mine was a chatter box. I picked out Oliver when he had just one green feather and spent every weekend bonding until he came home in January of 2013. He was born on my birthday September 9, 2012. I can't say enough about how awesome Oliver is and the fun we have. He's truly amazing. I wish the best experience for you!

Wow, we have a bit in common. I'd gotten Bixby (my 1st eclectus) 2 years after the cockatiel I'd had for almost 18 years had died of kidney disease. And Jolly was born on my birthday September 18, 2013.

Any chance of us seeing an update thread (with pics) of Oliver?

 

[drlisaort]

I did exactly as you are and researched for quite some time before deciding a male Eclectus was perfect for me. I had a Cockatiel for 23 years before he passed and knew I had to have a bird again to fill the silence as mine was a chatter box. I picked out Oliver when he had just one green feather and spent every weekend bonding until he came home in January of 2013. He was born on my birthday September 9, 2012. I can't say enough about how awesome Oliver is and the fun we have. He's truly amazing. I wish the best experience for you!

Wow, we have a bit in common. I'd gotten Bixby (my 1st eclectus) 2 years after the cockatiel I'd had for almost 18 years had died of kidney disease. And Jolly was born on my birthday September 18, 2013.

Any chance of us seeing an update thread (with pics) of Oliver?

Sorry I'm just now responding...seems work is crazy...

Wow, unbelievable we had nearly the same experience both losing our Cockatiels and then getting an Eclectus born on our birthdays! I'm not too handy with pictures but I just took a quick shot of Oliver and will attempt to post. He is now three and a half years old!

 

[Anansi]

Oliver looks beautiful! You're obviously taking excellent care of him! Photogenic as he is, you should definitely keep the pics coming.

 

[chris-md]

Lisa, Oliver is so handsome!! I agree with Stephen, please post more pics

 

[Taw5106]

Oliver is so handsome. He looks amazing!

For my Ekkie Venus, I make chop, heat it in the microwave for 30 secs. Chop fresh veggies like peppers, grated carrot, broccoli, etc, mix with the warmed chop and served. She eats it, and talk about she takes her time. She's a slow eater. I have sixteen stainless bowls I rotate. Each day's used bowls gets run through the dishwasher daily then stacked, ready to go again.

 

[drlisaort]

Thank you for the Oliver compliment! Your Venus sounds like she gets the ultimate care. I make a mush with many of the same ingredients as you and freeze it in little containers and serve warm every evening. Oliver's morning meal is fresh fruit and veggies served cold. Sounds like Venus and Oliver are living the life....and your Buddy too I'm sure!

 

[gtstokke]

Hello again folks,

Thanks for all of your thoughtful responses! It's fantastic to have found a forum filled with so many knowledgeable parronts with the best interests of their birds at heart. So I've found a great breeder, and will be bringing home a weaned bird around the beginning of the summer, yay!

Here's a question: I have heard that sometimes having a cage that is too big can lead to aggression/territorial behavior, but other (most) sources say the bigger the better. We are leaning towards a cage from Avian Adventures, possibly their largest dome top cage, the Hacienda (3'Wx4'D). Can anyone provide insight on whether such a large cage is a bad idea?

Thanks again!

 

[chris-md]

You just described my cage for my red sided male, and I generally have no issues with territoriality. I don't think you'll see any problems with that for a larger cage.

Here's a pic of the top of the cage. This cage is 6 ft tall

 

[Anansi]

The bigger the cage, the better. Getting a larger cage won't make your ekkie more likely to be territorial. Some parrots are just more territorial than others. If that winds up being the case for yours, you can work through it. Or around it. But cage size won't be the determining factor.

One thing that can head off that kind of behavior is to have a sleep cage. The more places with food and water availability, the less likely they are to get overly protective of their cages.