Ekkies as pets...questions

[rockybird]

I dont want an eclectus, at least not now. I am already swamped with my little gcc conure and caique (well acutually it is the caique that monopolizes my time). I am just wondering how these birds are as pets? Are they affectionate? Are they loud? Is there a dif. between females and males? Are they high energy birds? Do they like to just hang out (like my conure)? Like I said I dont plan to buy one, I just think they are beautiful birds and maybe someday years from now I may get one.

[jimpierce7]

pretty much the answer to all those questions is, YES, and NO. lol Sorry. Ekkies can be quite loud but its rare. Few are noisey. I guess generaly speaking they are a more indipendent bird. Some how ever are regular cuddle bugs. I have heard that the males tend to be abit more mellow then the females. I think Sophie is awesome. She is a hell raiser and very energetic. More so even then my Parrtlet.

[sunnyshine]

Originally Posted by rockybird

I am just wondering how these birds are as pets? Are they affectionate? Are they loud? Is there a dif. between females and males? Are they high energy birds? Do they like to just hang out (like my conure)?

It sure seems to vary between all different birds, but I'll share my experience with Sunny. I think he is a great pet, especially compared to the problems I hear about other larger birds. He isn't very affectionate or cuddly, he just enjoys being with me, but not touchy-feely. He isn't very demanding. He used to be very loud, screaming all the time. Now I am coming to realize this must have just been because he was sick, since he is much better now and never screams anymore. I don't have any experience with the females, but I have heard males are more laid back. He isn't very high energy, compared to my Sun Conure, but he usually likes to just relax and a couple times a day goes crazy playing with his toys.

[jjones1719]

Hello, My name is Joe and own a SI Male Eclectus, He is 2 years old and loves to be cuddled, very quiet, the only times he makes a sound is to talk, sun rise and sun set. I hightly recommend the Male eclectus over the Female as I am sure there are Females out there that are great, but the Males are known for their personality, and loves to be in the middle of whatever is going on. My little buddy's name is Guapo, He loves new foods, all fruit and veg, treats, showers, being held right before bedtime, that's when he likes to be held close and falls asleep leaning against my check and shoulder. As I pet him, he says mmmmmmmmmm, so funny, He has a lot of energy and as long as you have plenty of toys, food, water in his cage at all times, you will find that they too love to have their own time alone. I live in a Condo and my neighbors have never complained and I don't think they even know I have a parrot. I belond to a Bird club that meet every 3rd Sunday and if I do say so myself, he is the best behaved. Everyone tells me how great he is and has such a great personality, He has a large vocabulary and picks up words and phases only after hearing it a few times, he is very smart and has figured out how to open 3 of his cages, I now have to pad lock them, the little stinker. If you plan on getting an Eclectus, just know that you cannot pick a better parrot. Thanks JJones1719

[Sashagirl]

Eclectus as pets!Well I am now owned by 7 Eclectus 2 males and 5 females.3 were my pets and the other 4 were rehomes.I'm not going to say that there's a preference as far as male or female let them choose you.They are both great to own as pets.Some of mine are independent and some would rather spend their day with me.Some scream and some don't.In our home it doesn't matter we allow them to be birds they are fully flighted and have plenty of toys and things to do.I find Eclectus to be food lovers mine are forever eating.There's nothing they don't eat.I have been in love with Eclectus for 13 years and don't regret it.

[pbinva]

Eclectus are beautiful birds. Peeka is an SIE, he is also only 8 months old, he is an extremely independant fellow ;). He gets a little rowdy with his toys on a rare occasion, he is becomming more vocal although he does not speak or talk other than a softly spoken "hello" when he thinks nobody is listening to him. He loves to eat just about anything - loves hot peppers of any type the hotter the better for him! We were a little surprised at how independant he was - we had read that they were more so than other species but Peeka will step up but HATES to be touched other than that - he is a very "slow natured" bird - he has been home since mid-Dec. and has adjusted well to our somewhat busy house. He rarely decides to come out of his cage - although my husband and I both bring him out for a little bit everyday. He has gotten much better since we introduced Yummy (WBC) to our home - it was almost as if Peeka was a little bit jealous over Yummy being out so much of the time. Yummy being such the little clown is our 6 yo's favorite pet and as such Yum spends a great day of time on her shoulder out and about! I love Peeka very much, I am not sure I would have picked him out - if he hadn't have picked me first!

[rockybird]

THanks for all the info.! It really sounds like each bird has its own personality! What about biting? I am having troubles right now with a caique who has been biting. I am hoping we will work through it. One thing that always scared me about the bigger birds is the beaks!

Thanks. :)

[Courtzrocks]

Hmm...Maybe that's why I am drawn to the ekkie as my next bird...sounds alot like my alexandrine, she hates to be patted or touched but loves just being with you...she's a bit of a ratbag too though lol.

Ok this is from what I have read and been told:
As far as male/females go, females have an agressive streak and most people will just straight out say NO FEMALES. HOWEVER, it seems like if you were after a female then the SI females are the most easy going of all the female ekkies. The male Vos ekkie is said to make the best pet but really it depends on the bird. My next bird (in a few years) will be a male ekkie but not because of the female agression...mainly because I have a thing for green birds and the male ekkie colours are so beautiful, plus I already have 2 girl birds

[Amie]

I'm going to echo what Jim said. Ekkies are so. . . weird. . .as a species. You can't really make a generalization. For instance, I have a female Vosmaeri, and I've been told many times that the female Vos is supposed to be the most aggressive--and my Scarlett is a TOTAL cuddle bug and LOVES her mama and daddy. I had a pretty bad weekend with doctors and tests, and somehow she knew and refused to let me go to bed last night because she needed to give me LOTS of kisses and tell me she loved me for about 10 minutes. But when Daddy came by, she just kissed his nose really quickly and moved back to loving Mama because she knew I was upset!

My female is a perch potato. She will run around and start dancing on occassion, but usually, she just hangs out. She loves to cuddle with Mama and watch M*A*S*H reruns, and she laughs like her Daddy at all the funny parts. She's not a big talker, she only says two or three phrases, but she has VERY specific noses for different things. I don't know if it's just that I've been with her for 12 years so I know or if it's that obvious to outsiders, though. But the fiance gets it now, so it can't be just me

I'm in love with ekkies. I love them, everything about them. They're very sensitive and pick up on you being upset or happy very quickly and will mirror your bad moods, and they have a very specific diet, but the "trouble" is SO worth it.

My Scarlett is very beaky. That's my fault. We give lots of kisses and she puts her beak on my cheak when we're cuddling, but she has never bitten me. She HAS bitten my mother and father several times, but never me or the fiance. . .well, let me say never on purpose. Every once in a while I'll forget she can't recognize that my footin a sock is STILL my foot, and she'll get too close to the end of the blanket and it will scare the hell out of her and she'll quickly attack. But as soon as she realizes it's attached to me, she let's go and runs up for kisses.

[rockybird]

What amazing birds. Amie, your little girl sounds like SUCH a sweetheart! If only my caique would learn a thing or two from her. My conure is just like your little girl..he knows my moods, and will even gently touch my eyes to lick the tears away if he sees I am sad! I am amazed that they can read facial expressions in humans. He will also cuddle, give me bird hugs (rubs his head against me), and give me the tiniest cutest kisses. So, I understand what you mean about your Scarlett.

Courtzrocks, I know what you mean about the green! I love the green in my conure..it is so brilliant. I would consider a male also, because I like the green and I also like the yellow beak. however, I have seen a couple u-tube videos of people with their females, and what beautiful striking colors! In some videos, people were snuggling with their female babies...they looked so sweet. i have also heard the females can be mean, but I guess in the long run it really depends on the bird and it's upbringing.

Well, thanks so much for the info. Maybe someday, in a few years, I will get an ekkie. They certainly have their following of devoted owners!