Does anyone have a Eclectus Parrot?

Question

I am an ad the other day for a Eclectus Parrot. I have always thought about a bird and I am in no way able to get one now, but I would like to get as much info as I can so if a time comes I would be able to get one I know everything I need to know. I know I want a parrot and not a large one. I have seen pictures of this bird and cant get over how much I like it. The ad says they arent as nosiey as other parrots...Is that true? And that they are in the top 5 birds for talking? I dont care about the talking part that much Im just wondering...

They need a rather large cage right?

Do they tend to be fearful of things going on around them?

Does anyone on here own one? And has it been hard for you to take care of them?

Is there something I should know about this bird that I may not find out from reading online or in a book?

Do they only come in green? (It wouldnt bother me, green in my fav color)

Does anyone have any pics of their bird?

This isnt the only bird Im looking into but I thought I would see what people had to say...

Thank you very much for the answers.

Answer 1

They are not a noisey bird.  Talking is important.  This also helps to keep them busy.

Male and female are different colors.  They do need a large cage bar spacing no bigger than 1-1/2".

Definitly get one from a well known breeder.  A cage can cost $400.00 or more California cages are very nice.  Toys, food pellets and seeds for a treat.  Talking to a Vet would also be a good idea.

Monthly would only be for toys and food.  Cost would depend what food you buy and what toys he/she would like.

Answer 2

Females are VERY pretty. I fell in love with one I was going to buy but then learned of their PMS mode of up to two years. Since I have grandchildren I had to pass on her. My son was teasing me singing: Spiderbird...Spiderbird...Spiderbird does what a Spiderbird does...Singing it like Homer Simpson. I wanted that bird sooo bad. Make sure you read up on the PMS stage the female goes through.

Cost can be around an average of $20 dollars a month plus any recycled odds and ends I find around the house to make for toys for my Double Yellow Head Amazon. I feed him Monkey Biscuits, fruits and veggies every day besides his pellets.  

Answer 3

I had a male Solomon Island Ekkie for a few years.  He was beautiful, talked pretty well, and not TOO noisy.  But they can get noisy once or twice a day just like any other parrot.  I don't believe there is any such thing as  'quiet" parrot....  

Anyway, Ekkies are probably less likely to demonstrate the usual problems we see in parrots... plucking, screeching, biting, and other bad behaviors... but they can exhibit these problems just like any other bird.  

My bird had aggression problems once he reached sexual maturity.  He took to humping our hands, regurgitating on us all the time, and biting us when it was time to go back to his cage or when we put him onto a playstand because he was humping on us.  

This went on for MONTHS....Oh yeah, and he would go out of his way to get to, and attack my other 2 birds.

I don't know if that is rare or not for Ekkie males...I think it might be?

Then he started screeching very often every day.  He was basically unhappy I think.  Don't know why- he had a good diet, toys, a huge cage, play stands, hanging gyms, and plenty of attention.  There is always an element of "chance" you take with ANY bird when you get them young.  You just can't be sure how they will turn out.

That's why sometimes it's best to get an adult bird, one that you can interact with for a while before making the decision to take it home. This way you can see what their personality is and if THEY like YOU...

This was several years ago but this is the rundown:

The Ekkie:  $800 - local breeder, no shipping.

  (they are more now, I think)

Cage :  $300 (good e-bay price)

Toys and perches:  $100 first shopping spree

Play stand:  $125

Food and treats: Approx $35 every 2+ weeks. That does not include the veggies and fruits he got every day as well, nor the mixed nuts I bought about once a month for him ($12)

Initial vet visit:  $300+  

Wing and nail trims 2x's a year, sometimes 3: $35 each time

Answer 4

Incredibly beautiful birds, Eclectus Parrots are so sexually dimorphic that many people assume that males and females are actually birds of different species when they see them together!  

Answer 5

I am going to provide you with a link to a forum for eclectus owners breeders soon to be owners etc. It covers a ton of eclectus specific topics and will really take you a long way to see what you are getting into when and if you decide you want one of these lovely pets as a companion! They are very amazing birds and are my favorite bird. They are not loud, they are charming, exquisitely beautiful, not extremely needy, adorable, very intelligent, and playful, they have a shine unlike any other bird I have ever seen, are great for people who have allergies.

A baby ekkie cost an average of $1,000-$1400 and appropriate size cage is no less than 36" wide...no less than 1 inch bar spacing average cage this size is between $400-$1,000 and the bigger the cage the better...you are looking at an average of $200 to stock it and have extras of perches and fun toys and swings depending on how much you spoil your bird average care and maintenance will be between $100-$200 per month!