Eclectus?

[Wynette]

Tammie, he sounds ADORABLE! I had a friend years ago that had an African Gray (which I had been considering, but decided if I ever get a parrot, it'll be an Eclectus) whose favorite treat was soft nuts like peanuts & almonds. He would say, "Nut!" If he was ignored, he'd get louder, "Nut! Nut! Nut!" and then he had one more loudness level and would scream his head off: "NUT!!! NUT!!!! NUT!!!! NUT!!! NUT!!!!" and keep on screaming until he got what he wanted. Sheesh! hilarious for visitors, annoying exasperating for his owner!

 

[TurtleFeathers]

Seeds are a no-no with eclectus - I mean, every now and again as a treat its ok, but not as a base diet. I have a pair of Vos that eat Roudybush as a base diet, but they get fresh fruits and veggies, greens, nuts, pasta, table scraps, etc... on a regular basis Their favorite is the egg rolls I get from the Chinese restaurant - they practically do backflips for them.

Eclectus have longer digestive tracts than other parrots and require a more varied diet. Also, colored pellets have been known to cause feather color changes.

Here is my pair, Kiwi and Lucy - they're about 10 years old now. They were both given to me (from two separate friends) about 5 or 6 years ago - Lucy had been neglected and became a plucker. She's laid several clutches of eggs (eclectus seldom lay more than 2 eggs at a time), but they've never hatched:

 

[Wynette]

OH, Turtle - they're beautiful! And they got along okay? So I'm guessing if I DO want a companion for the boy we'll get eventually, it ought to be a female?

Very interesting on their digetive tracts being longer...I don't know a lot about digestive things, but I'm not understanding why a longer digestive tract = needing a more varied diet? I'm also not to the point where I've read a book or anything on parrots yet; but this thread is going to be most helpful to me - now I know who my Eclectus buddies will be!!

 

[TurtleFeathers]

Quote:
Thanks Wynette! I've always had Congo greys, and they have been a passion of mine for many years - until Kiwi and Lucy came along!!!! LOL! I still have 6 greys (one of which I got as a hand raised baby in 1993), and I still ADORE them, but Kiwi and Lucy give them a run for their money!!! I find it hard to photograph Kiwi close up tho - the flash reflects off his hair-like feathers and makes him look all washed out... Doesn't happen so much with Lucy tho.

As for the varied diet - it has to do with how long food sits in the system, IIRC. The longer it sits in the system = digestive upset/fermentation, fiber makes things "move" faster (fruit & veggies = fiber), that sorta thing... I *think*. But don't quote me - its been years...

On companions for parrots: In MY experience, I've found that parrots (not necessarily just eclectus) that have a cage companion can lose their pet quality to a certain degree, sometimes completely. So I feel that you really are taking a chance when you "get your bird a buddy" so he/she "won't be alone". I mean, they have *each other*, so theoretically, they really won't need YOU for anything, right? SOME/MOST of the time, that is, because there ARE exceptions to every rule. IMO, if you want a GUARANTEED sweet cuddly pet, keep a single bird and handle him/her often (and other people should hold him/her too, so that it doesn't bond to one person and will be nice to everybody in the household). But realistically speaking, we can't handle/be with our companion parrots 24/7, so we have to provide things for a single bird that will occupy and stimulate their mind, so that they can stay busy and not get bored while they're in their cage alone - some ways to "substitute" for a lack of a companion are hanging toys, foot toys, interesting food, keeping the television/radio on, keep cages in high traffic areas of the house, etc... Otherwise, a cage bound, fearful parrot with destructive behaviors (like feather plucking) can be the result.

Now, I'm not an eclectus expert or anything, as I only have experience with this one pair. But thru research and speaking with other breeders, I've learned that generally, eclectus pairs LOVE each other when they're breeding, and don't care much for humans during that time. In fact, I hear that females usually turn into red headed pit bulls when they're on a nest and males become their green body guards. I'm told that when not in a breeding situation, eclectus males and females usually don't like each other, and housing them separately is advisable.

My pair is the exception to the rule, apparently. They were both tame single pets when I got them, and both loved people - Kiwi had this habit of regurgitating food to me (which I find pretty gross, but its a sign of "love"), and Lucy's favorite thing in the world was to snuggle up in the sleeve of my robe while I watched TV in the evening. I housed them separately for 6 months while in quaratine, with the intention of housing them separately on a permanent basis. Well, after 6 months and having too many cages to clean, I decided to introduce them to each other on a play gym - it was INSTANT LOVE. They lived together peacefully for quite some time before I discovered Lucy digging and Kiwi feeding her (signs of willingness to breed). So I gave them a box. Lucy went in and laid 2 white eggs almost immediately, and Kiwi tended to her every need. But I soon found that she would let me pick her up OFF HER EGGS, would let me examine the eggs, and would allow me to love on and cuddle her, same as always!!! Kiwi, on the other hand, would get alittle miffed if I disturbed her - nothing serious, just some loud shrieks and a stern "HEY! What do you think you're doing???" (amazing how they use the appropriate words at the appropriate times). So, I'd put Lucy back, and she'd happily sit back on her nest.

But I also discovered that while Kiwi fed and tended to Lucy, he insisted on trying to breed with her head. Now, I don't care WHO ya are, that just AIN'T gonna work!!! LMAO! So, none of Lucy's eggs have been fertile to date. I'm still hopeful that he'll get it right one day!

This behavior is the envy of all my parrot friends. They find it absolutely amazing that I can house my pair together when they're NOT breeding, and that I can handle them when they are. Apparently this just isn't the way its supposed to work with eclectus!

Hope this helps!!!

 

[Wynette]

Kat, your post has been SO SO helpful - thanks so very much! Or maybe I should chastise you, because you've got me thinking more and more about this now!! My husband lost his job (automotive...sigh....) about a year and one-half ago, so he's sort of semi retired. I really feel like this could be the perfect time for us to add a bird to our household, but I have to research the heck out of all major critter decisions, and you've given me much to think about! Thanks so VERY much!

 

[TurtleFeathers]

Quote:
You're quite welcome!!! My opinions are not gospel tho - talk to as many other people as you can. Research is always best, but nothing beats first hand information. Feel free to PM/email me privately if you want, ok? Oh, and I edited the above post quite a few times (spelling, forgotten info, etc...), so you might want to re-read...

 

[duckling 1234]

How do you guys feel about an all pellet diet, with some apple and broccoli added sometimes? I don't have an Eclectus but I do have a white-capped pionus. I'd just like to hear your opinions.

 

[TurtleFeathers]

Quote:
There's nothing wrong with pelleted diets, as it contains all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy - but that's not ALL I would feed. Sure, you could add apple and broccoli, but add other stuff, too. I always try to think of what they would eat in the wild - sure, they wouldn't find pellets in the wild, but a lot of what wild birds eat isn't available to us, so we have to substitute.

I keep those big bags of frozen mixed veggies in my freezer - you know, the kind with corn, green beans, lima beans, peas and carrots, but no sauce - the birds love them (thawed, of course). I just fill one of those little metal strainers with the frozen veggies and run them under hot water at the kitchen faucet, and let them drain, then serve. I cook pasta for them, cut up fruit, give them greens, seeds and nuts - I even save a little bit of my dinner sometimes for them, and if I happen to be eating some sort of cracker or munchie (like cheese its or fritos), I always share (within moderation, of course). They love bits of pizza, alittle spaghetti or chinese food, scrambled eggs and even hot wings!

About the only things I DON'T give my birds is foods that contain chocolate, dairy, caffeine, lots of sugar or avocado. A varied diet, IMO, not only keeps a parrot healthy, but it stimulates them mentally as well. As long as their total environment (housing, toys, food, location of the cage, etc...) stays INTERESTING, they won't get bored and destructive! An interested parrot is a happy parrot, IMO!

 

[triplebbirds]

I think the diet you all describe sounds great. Even when lucky is being a uhmmmm butt heat he gets a varried diet. He gets Zupreem pellets. and any people food he can get his beak on. His favorite has got to be chicken nuggets though. I am going to agree about the "bird buddy" they are flock animals and we want them to be part of our flock. when they have a bird friend it gets very hard for SOME of them SOMETIMES to still have a closeness with us. Now yes i know there are exeptions to every rule. Not every bird-family situation will go this way. I probably have a bit different take on some of it being a breeder. If i could convince people to buy a buddy for thier bird than that would be two birds sold right? But i want them to be happy with their new family member.

I have also read and heard about the ekkies not being a fan of each other when they arent breeding or raisisng. Also the female with take a very dominate role in the relationship. If you arent prepared for that then you could be in for a suprise.

I am also going to add here that i dont breed ekkies. I love them but only have 1 and havent decieded if I will get him a girlfriend. I do love this bird. But they do take some maintence.