Positives and Negatives

[mel64511]

I've been thinking about getting a male eclectus. I've contacted a breeder and she doesnt have any now but she will in November and then by June or July I might have one! I am almost 100% sure but I would like to hear from actual eclectus owners about the positives and negatives of owning an eclectus. I have done a lot of research so im not clueless but I want to hear from experience. Thanks!

[becca623]

Have you read through the posts on the eclectus forum? I am extremely biased and think male ekkies are just about perfect. They are as perfect as a bird can get but as I said I am EXTREMELY biased. I love just about everything about them. The main considerations one needs to familiarize oneself with are the dietary needs and know that they are not always quiet birds. Too many people are lead to believe that ekkies hardly make a sound. This isn't true. When Echo is in one of his moods, I can hear him a few houses away. Good luck!

[failurebydesign]

To me everything is positive except a few things,
they aren't "hanging from the ceiling playful"
and aren't cuddly type birds.

I think I will get a goffin cockatoo sometime in the future because I would like a bird with those traits as well.

I've only had Tiki for two weeks though.

Another thing is diet, I don't even feed him pellets at all.
It's messy to feed fresh food all the time. I spend alot of time preparing meals too.
Alot of the room in my fridge is taken up by food for him, he eats better than I do.


He's quiet, calm, doesn't demand a ton of attention, has the cutest baby voice, beautiful colors, good size.

[mel64511]

I feel the same way about them, i've researched all the bigger birds and i like them best. I think the first thing that drew me to them was an eclectus in a pet store that i saw and he was stunning and as i read more and more into them i have fell in love with them.

[Abby]

Ok negatives

there seems to be a whole lot atm that are highly sexual (my guy is one of those) and pluckers
when they get a scream up it's up there with a cockatoo
Very prone to diet related issues (toetapping, wing flapping etc)

positives

They're stunning
incredibly smart, (Merlin has started talking in context now).

[failurebydesign]

Abby I don't know what you are talking about Tiki's loudest screams aren't very loud to me!
But I have never even heard a cockatoo face to face so who knows.
Actually the only "loud" bird I have heard scream is a sun conure and I think they have particularly annoying calls that just add to the loudness!

Tiki certainly isn't as loud as a sun conure, or at least as ear piercing.

I think the different tones in the different species is what makes some more bearable than others.

[Abby]

I was asked my perspective, I gave it.

Look at the list of birds I live with. I possibly know what I'm talking about in terms of noise. I speak to a number of ekkie people and the negatives I've pointed out don't just come from my experience with one bird of the species, they come from a range of people including a top behaviourist.

My ekkie is also alot older then yours. You can't compare an ekkie that is under 1 with one that has reached sexual maturity in regards to behaviour.

[lotusflower777]

I just wanted to chime in with my experiences with Goffins for Failurebydesign- I have been around a fair few of these birds.(as they are pretty common here) And not a single one was CUDDLY at all, Quite the opposite actually. Very playful though...

But this also could be due to owners or other circumstances...... Im sure you would care for one better then the People I have known with them. So it could be a totally different story for you :)

Oh- I seen a galah X goffin the other day for sale...strange looking...wonder what they are like.

[Zoe's Mom]

Positives...

Very Sweet
Gentle/Docile
Intelligent/good talker
Comical (they walk and run so cute!)
Great Companion bird

Negatives...

Diet (can be difficult for some to offer a proper diet)
They can be pluckers
Not as much interactive play like my conures
Gets bored easy (I am always changing toys and foraging items)
Messy Eater
Can peal the paint when they screech like the fire alarm (personal experience)

[debbielabella]

I don't have much Eckie experience. at all. but what I've noticed is Talula is very attentive and attuned to me. If I ask a question or say something to her directly, she will squawk in return. She is very smart, and I love her assertive side. She's been mimicking everything like crazy. Wow is she a messy eater, food is very messy. When she's an adult I will have more issues but for now she is just a pure joy.

Oh about the goffin cuddly thing.. aren't RB2s just as playful and more cuddly?

something else I really like about Eckies, they aren't the kind of birds that POW you meet them and there is this intense instant connection. They get under your skin, they grow on you in subtle ways. They become an important part of your life.