Eclectus and Cockatiel?

[erin1990]

So I'm diving in, after taking care of my boyfriend's african gray for 1 1/2 years, I'm getting my own bird.

I have limited space so I decided on a cockatiel as a good starter bird. But, I've been reading up on eclectus parrots and I'm smitten. I was planning to have just the cockatiel until I finish college, in about 2-3 years and then add an eclectus to the house.

What do you guys think? I've seen a few people on here have the mix and I was curious how the two breeds got along.

I was planning on having males of both species since they are the more docile of the sexes and of course in separate cages.

Would they need to be at different ends of the house and not out of their cages at the same time? Would the eclectus try to kill the cockatiel?

I appreciate the help!

[lotusflower777]

I would probably reccomend a cockatiel, If you have limited space and go to college. I would assume that would be the best bet.

Eclectus do need alot of time spent with them and can be VERY needy.

cockatiels dont take up AS MUCH space, and usually not as needy.

I think, In my opinion. That you would be better off waiting till you finnish college are settled and have more free time, To get an eclectus.

As for mixing the breeds. not that im a professional by any means... But it would probably depend on the individual birds, wether they have been socialized what kind of personality they have etc.
At Savanah's breeder yesterday, I seen all different mixes of birds all in the same area, Although they tend to stay in their own area, not stray into other birds area.

[erin1990]

My plan was to only have a cockatiel until I'm done with college and have a bigger place, so I absolutely agree with you there. The eclectus wouldn't come until I had a large space for him.

I'm just hoping I won't have to keep an eye on them constantly to be sure that they won't go after each other. I wasn't sure if it is in larger bird's nature to assert dominance over smaller birds.

[lotusflower777]

There may be more experienced eckkie owners that may know different, but there were bigger ones all round them, and also smaller ones...they were all fine.

[loyallyroyal]

I wouldnt recommend having them out at the same time, but I guess it depends on your ekkie. Dewey views smaller birds as fun things to chase and kill, but I think someone forgot to tell him he isnt a predator.

[Zoe's Mom]

I have 2 conures and an eclectus. I cant have them together at all because the two little ones bully the big one

[debbielabella]

if your lucky you'll be able to have them out at the same time, but where they can't get to each other and with supervision. I wouldn't risk having birds with too great a size difference close enough to interact, but that's just how my flock is. My eckie is young, I don't have a cockatiel, and stranger things have happened.

[kebz]

we had an ekkie as an only bird for approx a year and then we got our sunnie, our ekkie didnt take too well to the idea of having to share our attention. so our ekkie picked on our sunnie, so naturally our sun started to pick on our ekkie... and now they hate eachother. lol

Im sure this isnt the case with all birds though.. We can have them out at the same time we just have to keep an eye on them.

[becca623]

It totally depends on the birds. Echo ignores the little birds, won't bother to learn their names with the exception of Jeb. He loves Jeb. He preens him through the cage bars and feeds him that way too. Jeb is handicap. I think Echo can tell he is special and treats him as so. I don't have them out together unless I'm holding Jeb. Jeb can't come out of the cage unless I'm holding him because his legs are severely splayed. He cannot stand. When I hold Jeb, Echo preens him and asks him for kisses. Echo taught Jeb to talk. Jeb's first word was Echo. :)

[erin1990]

That is such a great story. Really proves the intelligence of ekkies.
Thanks for the comments. I'm hoping that since the tiel had been there longer jealousy won't be a problem for the ekkie.