Female eclectus?

[Bttrflykisses820]

Hello guys,

My mom is now interested in getting an eclectus too, but she's interested in a girl.

I've read a lot about female eclectuses and how they tend to be more aggressive when they hit puberty, but I'd really like to hear from female eclectus owners.

If she gets one, it would be a Solomon Island Eclectus...

So please let me know as much as you can about these pretty girls.

Thanks!

[jimpierce7]

a great place to read up on Ekkies is at the land of vos. Land of Vos Eclectus - Main Page

Sophie is almost 4 years old and a very sweet bird. She has her moments but she has not even come close to living up to the horror stories.
She is how ever, not an S.I. Ekkie. She is an Aru R.S.
Ekkies do require a bit more attention with their diet then other parrots. They have a longer digestive tract and need more fiber. Fruit and veggies.

[Bttrflykisses820]

Ohhh yeah, I've definitely read pretty much everything i can get my hands on. So i already thoroughly searched landofvos and even this forum about temperaments, diets, health, you name it.

I read a few threads about female eclectuses asking pretty much the same thing as I am, but most people seem to deviate from the main question. So i'm trying to get a better answer from all of you female eclectus owners.

I'm really glad to hear about Sophie being a sweet girl! That's good she hasnt lived up to the horror stories, and definitely a relief for me to hear.

[jimpierce7]

I just love her to pieces!!

[sodakat]

I'm a redhead lover. I think the reason you hear so much about "hormonal" problems with female Eclectus is because their strong urge to nest has not diminished in companion birds. When mature, they look for dark hidey-holes to "guard" and if allowed a hidey-hole they will protect it. Lots of people with females provide them a cardboard box in the bottom of their cage. Some do lay eggs, which of course are not fertile unless they have a mate. The egg laying does not hurt them.

I've had females without males, but not males without females, so I can't address firsthand the behaviors of single males. However, there are plenty of posts on forums from owners of adult male Eclectus who are "in love" with their owner and constantly want to hump their hand/arm/foot. They have to be distracted. So, distracting a female from nesting, or distracting a male from humping can be challenging.

In the long run, you will have the pet you cultivate and because they cannot be neutered like dogs/cats, there will be instinctive behavior, regardless of the sex.

[Voslover]

Our Keiki is a 4 YO female Vosmaerie. She has "minor" moments but is largely a very loving FID and does not even approach the "horror stories" you hear about the females. She has a 200+ word vocabulary, mostly spoken in phrases. She is our only FID and we consider her our child. She performs several tricks and we continue positive reinforcement training for many more. She is exceptionally well behaved. If you are dedicated and provide your girl with loving and positive reinforcement, you will have a friend and wonderful companion for life.

[mommaof3]

My husband saw a post on a female ekkie and fell in love. Our families MBS has started, although I am not so sure my husband would actually act on it. He is more passive when it comes to these things. He usually just looks and looks until I pursue it for him.

[kbordeau]

I have a pair of si ekies. I have raised 4 babies, all sold to seperate homes. 2 see each other on a regular basis. All are still very cuddly. The babies were 2 male 2 female. You want to get a breeder that will socialize & cuddle them from the start. With these guys it makes a difference.

[swanwillow]

I have a rehome female Ekkie. Love her to bits, but she's definately a one person bird. I've had her for 2 years now, and last month was a great milestone for me-I got to touch her head without her trying to eat my finger.

She's 8 now, and I've had her 2 years. Through ups and downs, but more ups than downs. She's my sweetheart. Definately not a cuddly bird in any way, shape, or form, but highly intelligent-she can figure out any puzzle type toy lightspeeds faster than my U2 can. Since you know all of the 'issues' with feeding one, I don't have to touch on that.

One thing I do worry about though is its for your mom. As we don't know how old you are, I can't rightfully say one way or another if an ekkie is a good idea. Is the ekkie's life span realistically longer than your mothers? I know its heartless to say that, but I work in a nursing home. Its heartbreaking to go in and hear about the cat that had to be put to sleep so the little old lady in the chair could come to the nursing home.