Click HERE to see our new Eclectus (Kiwi)
Click HERE to see our new Cockatiels (Lucky, Ginger, and Peanut)

---

JoAnn, I'm especially hoping you know something about these guys, but if anyone else does I'd love to hear from you.

Even though we already own a small zoo with 2 cats, 2 chinchillas, 4 parakeets, and 2 cockatiels, we have long wanted a larger pet with a longer lifespan (literally one that could live our entire lives). Given my fascination with large birds I have always hoped to own one.

For a long time I have been looking at the Cockatoo, which to me is just a really big and smarter Cockatiel. Unfortunately I've learned they are extremely needy of attention, can be moody, very noisy, destructive, and produce a lot of dander (dust). I then turned my attention to the African Grey's, but their intelligence and mood swings also made me hesitant to purchase them. A bird CAN be too smart for it's own good, and Grey's fit that bill.

Recently I was considering the Cockatoo again, but then was introduced to the Eclectus Parrot. It's a relative new comer in the US (about 30 years ago I think), but is quickly growing in popularity due to its brilliant colors, speech abilities, and best of all... no dust/dander. The name derives from the word "eclectic" because of how different the male/female are in color. They rival the Grey in speech ability and since they have an oil gland instead of a dust gland, they produce no dander. They are also more reserved and quite birds that often bond directly with their owners. The males are especially good for families without kids (like us).

I am just wondering if anyone has ANY experience with this birds and if so, what can you share about them? Our neighbor across the street ironically has one (a female) and it's a beautiful bird. We talked more with them yesterday and are now considering a green male.

Gee John, I dont have any personal experience with them, other than a breeder friend of mine, prefers the Eclectus to any other bird. She switched over to just breeding these. Very beautiful and tameable.
I didnt know about their speech ability.

Thanks Jo. I didn't either honestly... in fact I had no idea any bird could have no dander either. Makes me wonder why more of these guys are not on the market, especially since they only sell for about $800-$1000 on average. Not bad for a larger parrot. I think a Cockatoo would cost us $1200 min if it was hand-fed, and that's the only way I'd buy.

Our neighbor in recommending a lady in the upstate who also breeds these exclusively. So if we purchase one, we'll likely do so from her.

I kind of hate I'll never have a Cockatoo (at least in the foreseeable future), but with our schedules, it's for the best we don't purchase a bird we can't given adequate time too.

Ya I agree with you on the cockatoo. As you know I'd love to still have one, but at my age now, the bird will definitely outlive me and I cant do that, unless I get one thats already 60-70 yrs old. lol

You know, I always wonder if they *really* live that long. I have never heard anyone say, "Oh, and my 50 year old parrot - etc etc." Maybe you know some folks who have had them that long, but I think with the way most folks feed them (seed) they just don't live that long.

I'll admit that the fresh veggies, and such will be a new thing for us. We've tried to get the Cockatiels to each fruit, veggies, and stuff but they always just hiss at it and ignore it when we do try to get them used to it. They've always just preferred their seed diet.

The Eclectus apparently has a longer digestive track, so you have to give it a lot of fruits, veggies, etc. Too many of the pellets will make them like a person high on caffeine due to over absorption aparently. LOL, not a parrot I want to be around.

This will be a pet we can put in the main room though (due to no dust - I can't stand a lot of dust and one of my cockatiels is horrible - I swear she has dandruff problems). I think we'll be able to buy an older and very large cage from our neighbor as well for a good price.

I'll be waiting for pictures John.......
With the cockateils the trick for veggies is to chop it all real fine, no bigger than a sunflower seed. Then YOU put it in your mouth and aproach them with it, worth a try. Or put a slice of apple or piece of celery leaves on the cage floor?
No advocadoes/teflon remember?

Your right as to the longevity of parrots when not looked after properly. Then theres the health issue, you never know of course. Same with any other pet.
If cared for diligently the chances for a long live increase. Take Pepper my 19 yr old cat. 6 mo's ago it cost us $800 for some dental work. well this morning I took her in again for a reabsorbing tooth, cleaning. Another $795. The older pets need blood profiles etc to make sure they can withstand the anesthetics.
Then you see the neighbors who let their cats roam around and get killed.
Sorry but I am passionate about this stuff, lol.

I'll keep trying with the Cockatiels. Baby is still fairly young. Jasmine is about 8 years old now (hard to believe it).

We've gotten rid of all our old cookware and replaced it with stainless steel. I also make sure never give any pet chocolate, advocadoes (why are those so bad I wonder?), or anything else that's not good for them. Some warnings say not to give birds alcohol... which is sad/scary, bc you know somewhere, someone's done it.

interesting read

http://kgkat.tripod.com/avocado.html

After reading that... I'm kinda glad I also don't eat them, LOL

Well we're going to pick up our baby on Saturday hopefully. He's been raised by a couple in the upstate of SC and they breed Eclectus exclusively. He's their last male of the Spring that's starting eating.

He's just 12 weeks old so he has much coloration to develop yet. We went out and got a huge cage today (it's big enough for me and Tasha to fit inside, LOL.

Here's our soon to be (hopefully) baby.



He's a Red Sided Eclectus. When he's grown, he'll look like this:




I originally really wanted the Solomon Island breed, but just look at the size difference. If we ever get another one, we'll probably get a SI Male. The males in Eclectus are much less territorial and aggressive than the female (which seems odd, normally I thought it's reverse).



Red Side is, of course, the larger one. SI is the smaller. So beautiful. The females are incredible... but I like the green shades of the males.

Keep your fingers crossed for us. His name will be "Kiwi"