Bird species recommendations please

[mamalovesrico]

Well, while reading this whole thread, two breeds keep coming to mind. A macaw or eclectus.

Here are a few points I wanted to bring up while reading, about the eclectus. I have a 5 year old female. She's a doll. She's usually considered the "eye candy" of the bunch. She was given to me as a gift and I'm stating this as my experience with her, but have heard the same from other ekkie owners. Molly does not like to be touched by your hands. I'm not sure I would state her as being any kind of cuddle bug. She loves to be on you and will kiss and be vocal (with sounds not words). Pretty much, she just likes to be there but doesn't care much for the physical interaction. I have heard this from a lot of other owners too. So, please chime in on what you think.
Also, ekkies are well known for plucking. Very well known for it. As for all the ones that come into the clinic, it's pretty much a 50-50 guess on if they are plucked or not. Just wanted to point this out to you so you go into it with eyes open. I wouldn't trade Molly for the world and if she was my first bird, I don't know if I would have any others. She's very, very loyal, very social and well adjusted into most situations. Like someone said above, they like to blend in with the crowd, not be the object of it.

Certain types of macaws that keep coming to mind are a green wing, a blue and gold or maybe a red front. Red fronts are quite so large, but I've been told by another member, that they have the antics and cuddliness of a too without the unpredictability. In my opionion, that just described my perfect bird. A red front is on my list, but we shall see with more time and research. People rave about their B&G's and I won't comment too much on them, because I don't own one or have had enough interaction with them to state my case. But from what I hear, I've heard leaps and bounds about their great personalities. A greenwing, I have the experience. Big! Big beak, big body, big tail, big heart! Great bird overall. Very messy. Big Poops, need big toys and lots of them. Need big cages. But in my opinion, well worth everything. Mine is a desent talker. Not a big one, but he talks a fair amount. Oh, I forgot. He's also my loudest bird. When he wants to be heard, you'll hear him. You neighbors down the street will too. But that usually isn't much of a problem. Murray "calls out" when he wants attention, excited, bored or hungry. I state that because they are all controllable.

I wish you so much luck on your decision, Mark. And I'm very excited to find out what it is.

[parrotntn]

Thank you for that insightful post.
Eclectus:
-in regards to the plucking, yes, I've read about that. But, from what I've read, it's due to specific factors that can be controlled by the owner. ie, home instability, not enough attention, bad diet, dirty cages. If I'm wrong, please correct me. I'd hate to think that no matter what an owner did, his/her eclectus would start plucking itself, but I have no idea, just what I'm reading.
-in regards to the cuddlefactor, I've read that it's easier to pet/cuddle/play with a male. Someone please correct me if that's wrong.
One thing I'm sure of is just the personality. With each beating heart is given another personality. So, one could get a happy go lucky personality or a moody one like Cecil. But, overall I read that although not as beautiful as the fe, the males make more calm and personal pets.

Macaws:
Here is where I am even more totally ignorant. The ONLY one's Ive seen are HUGE animals. Beautiful, but huge. The avian vet here said she wouldn't recommend them for that reason. They're just about too big to keep in a typical home. And I know for sure I couldn't fit one in a camper when we camp. See, I'm buying this pet for the long-haul, not just today.
I see, read where there are "mini-macaws". hmmmmm
anyone care to tell me about those if you have them?
Thanks!
Mark
u folks are great

[RingneckedPrincess]

As for ekkies-

Most pluck because of diet/housing...what the owner can control but is normally too ignorant to notice. And usually once they start it becomes a habit...

They aren't 'cuddly' like a too...but I didn't want another cuddly bird. I enjoy their company and love that most about the ekkies. They are content to sit and watch TV or listen to music with you...

Dani

[Maui's Mom]

omgosh i have 4 big macaws in the house, 4 condos for them to live in and i live in a modest size 4 bed 3 bath home. we have room for the fids, they have java trees and perches in different rooms and they are big, noisey, messy but tons of fun and they are so loveable. i wouldnt trade them .. well most days I wouldnt trade them LOL

The mini macaws I didnt know about when we were out searching for our first long haul baby. Since we have a full flock and have no plans of adding, atleast not while the rugrats still live with us, i have met Hahns and Severe mini macaws. O and yellow collared. Amazing birds. I love them and if I had the opportunity to purchase more, i would love to have a mini.

Big personalities in a mini body, easier to travel with, easier to carry around. yes the Hy does get heavy when she is hanging with me.

Wish for you and your family a place where u could go and hang out with all of them for a day . .. .. how about a camping trip to NJ and come see all we have here !! lol

[mamalovesrico]

Originally Posted by parrotntn

Thank you for that insightful post.
Eclectus:
-in regards to the plucking, yes, I've read about that. But, from what I've read, it's due to specific factors that can be controlled by the owner. ie, home instability, not enough attention, bad diet, dirty cages. If I'm wrong, please correct me. I'd hate to think that no matter what an owner did, his/her eclectus would start plucking itself, but I have no idea, just what I'm reading.
-in regards to the cuddlefactor, I've read that it's easier to pet/cuddle/play with a male. Someone please correct me if that's wrong.
One thing I'm sure of is just the personality. With each beating heart is given another personality. So, one could get a happy go lucky personality or a moody one like Cecil. But, overall I read that although not as beautiful as the fe, the males make more calm and personal pets.

Macaws:
Here is where I am even more totally ignorant. The ONLY one's Ive seen are HUGE animals. Beautiful, but huge. The avian vet here said she wouldn't recommend them for that reason. They're just about too big to keep in a typical home. And I know for sure I couldn't fit one in a camper when we camp. See, I'm buying this pet for the long-haul, not just today.
I see, read where there are "mini-macaws". hmmmmm
anyone care to tell me about those if you have them?
Thanks!
Mark
u folks are great

Mark, I misprinted something in my post, but couldn't edit it. It sounded as though I was calling the red fronts, big birds. When in consideration to the larger macaws, they are not large. A bird you may want to look into.

And just wanted to point out also, another plucking factor in ekkies, well females, because that is all I am experienced with, is breeding season and behaviors. Once the season rolls around, it is not uncommon for them to start with the plucking. But there's no reason to go into that since you are looking at the male.

[Monica]

A "mini macaw" could also be an aratinga conure... You've got suns, mitreds, jendays, cherry heads, blue crowns... Check out the conure forum!



Also, for some conure species, check out these links...
http://circleofwings.com/conurecommunity/species.htm
http://www.geocities.com/conures123/ConureSpecies.html
http://www.parrot-and-conure-world.com/conures.html
http://www.conure.org/species.htm

As for actual mini macaws, you've got the hahns...


Chestnut fronted or severe macaw


Yellow Collared macaw


Then getting into a slightly bigger macaw.... we have... A redfront minus tail


And the blue throated macaw



Check out this link...
http://www.parrotbreeders.co.za/frontend/macaws.asp

[raddaughter]

From what I have read and experianced, ekkies aren't very cuddly. The females tend to be more that the males, but that greatly depends on the individual bird. Mini macaws might be easier, as they aren't very big.
Traveling with your bird may be difficut, considering they still need a large cage and enev with a perch, it is still going to be a lot of work.