lookin for ideas

[jimpierce7]

Hi everyone, it seems that I have convinced my wife to let us get an Eclectus, a red one (female?) due to them being a fairly quiet bird. We are currently owned by a male lovebird (Benji) and a female Senegal (Zoey, the boss). I seem to do things in threes....three fish tanks, three ex wives.....now three birds! Actually the Ectectus is going to be a prize for me quitting smoking. When I found out that a Severe Macaw is rather noisy for an apartment I went looking elsewhere. Are there any major differances between the sub speciess of Eclectus other then size and colors? Any idea how well they get along with Senegals? Benji doesnt like to leave his cage....ever. lol
Jim

[Willow]

I wouldn't call an eclectus quiet! They have this very loud, very shrill call that they do . . . at least the one at the local pet supply store does!

Quiet bird, to me, is a Pionus . . .

[Alyce Johnson]

We have an amazon who is quiet as a mouse. Of course, he's over 22 (we're not sure how old) and is a rescue/relinquished bird, and we were assured he was quiet before we took him in.

If quiet is essential (as it is for us - we have a rent controlled apt in a very pricey part of the country for housing) I'd suggest maybe thinking about an older bird, so that you can be more sure of what you're getting. Any particular bird can be loud.

We also have 3 green cheeks, 2 of whom are really quiet and the 3rd (older, rehomed bird with issues) is the loudest bird in the house, in spite of being so tiny. Even my macaw is really quiet, 95% of the time (except the little green cheek's constant sqwauk sets her off once in awhile and she gives a truly ear-splitting yell). So, if it would be really a hardship to move if the bird required more distant neighbors, you might want to choose not only a relatively quiet species but also a post puberty quiet individual bird. Just a thought.

[spectre]

From what I know they can be quite loud but are not inclined to do so frequently.

Try these on for size
http://www.shadeseclectus.com/
http://www.landofvos.com/eclectus.html
http://www.landofvos.com/eclectus.html

In short, yes, there are real behavioural differences among the 3 main subspecies. These pages and some people here should be a good start. I'd also ask your neighbors, it could be that the noise level isn't that bad, my home for exapmple has great soundproofing and when i asked my neighbors if they mind if i get another macaw they said no problem. I live in a townhome where all my neighbors own so that might be different. The Ecelectus at least will be less prone to noise than a Severe but if you like the Macaw idea look into Hahn's, Red Fronts, or Yellow Collareds. One final thing is that the tone of the Eclectus may be less prone to passing through the walls than a lower pitched yell so it may be only you that really has to live with it.

Good Luck,
Let us know what you decide.

[basketbagley]

Jim, have you been to the Land of Vos? Tell all about Ekkies. Here's a Link

http://www.landofvos.com/eclectus.html

From what I've been told and have read, Ekkies are typically the quietest ones out there. Not that they can't be loud, but usually aren't unless there is a problem. I wouldn't go judging ANY bird species by 1 meeting in a pet store. Poor things certainly aren't getting their needs met there! Ekkies do not like big commotions or the hustle and bustle of stores, so that could be one reason for the noise from that poor bird.

If I had of know "then" what I know now, I would probably have picked the Ekkie as my 1st bird. (my hubby can't stand the noise from my 2 budgies and tiel & Princess Parrot at all, and they really aren't that loud!)

Good luck and have fun getting a new fid!!!

[Vankarhi]

I think you have picked a beautiful breed of bird, but I am very biased as I already own a red sided female since she was 4 months old and is now 19 months old.

She can be very loud, but in her defence of that ............... I have a large and loud family and she loves to get loud when it is noisy here. I also have a lot of wild birds, like galahs, and sulfer crested 'toos and she has learned to scream from them also, and does so very well. I think she could give a cockatoo a run for their money sometimes.

But they are very very intelligent and the girls are not always as bad as what they are made out to be. Mine is lovely, she talks like a trouper and I have taught her a few tricks also.

I would not house your two birds together though, keep them separate. I do not let my ekkie and baby alexandrine share a cage together.

Here are some pics of my beautiful girl. I love to show my babies off.


The first pic is of Skye flying to me on command. It was easy to teach as she loves to be with me anyway.
The second pic is of her retrieving the ball and giving it to my 3 year old son. She loves to play with him ............. always supervised of course because she could really hurt him if she bit him. But she is normally very good with him.
The third is of her just with us at the breakfast table and I wanted a shot of the green tinge on the bottom of her wing.
The fourth is of her sharing my cuppa........obviously I do not drink once she has slobbered in it. LOL
The last pic is of her and I having a quiet moment together and she allows me to pat her under her wing.

[jimpierce7]

hehe I guess I should have better stated what I meant by "quiet" . Cockatoo seeking attention too loud, group of military macaws too loud. Zoey (Senegal) will be housed seperate from the Ekky (cool new word!) but right next to each other.
Thanks all!!!

[Babyblue033]

I just got a male Ekkie only a week ago. He's a lovely bird, slowly learning to trust me, and I love him dearly. I do have to say tho, the first morning he was here I was awaken by this thundering SQUAWK and was quite shocked how loud he was. I was aslways told Ekkies weren't very loud at all. It turns out they CAN be loud when they chose to (in my case, he was nervous in his new home). Now unfortunately he has learns my tiel's call and imitates it quite well to my displeasure He's a great bird tho, even if he requires a more time and effort (they need a mostly fresh diet) :)