Thinking of adopting a male Solomons Ekkie

My wife's dream bird is a Greenwing macaw but the fact that I already have small birds has changed our decision. Electus was her 2nd best choice. Now I do have some questions. Are they one person birds? Are they a physical threat to smaller birds such as Quakers, senegals or Meyers? I will be planning to have other medium birds such as Jardines and Cape parrot. I already understand their special food diet. Do they snuggle? Do they like to be petted? Are they sensitive to touch because of their beautiful unique hair like feathers? Any feed back will be greatly appreciated.

Eclectus are not one person birds, they will bond to the family. My Eclectus will snuggle against my chest when I am holding her, and will allow me to scratch her head, and under her wings in this posture. But I only do this after she showers, that is when she is most receptive of physical affection. Most of the time, I do not try to pet or touch her, because in general, Eclectus don't seem to want to be touched in that way. But don't get me wrong, she loves to be handled. They are not known to be the most cuddly and snuggly parrots, but they are so sweet!

They aren't typically one person birds. In the wild they live in large social groups. They are one of the few parrots that aren't monogamous and will breed with several flock members. Also brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles will help raise each other chicks. This makes them good for family's, in my opinion, because they don't typically go to just one person (will be more likely to bond to the whole household). They are also a breed where the females call the shots and the males are by nature submissive.

As far as being a threat to smaller birds. Well typically the Ekkies are laid back but any bird that is larger than another should be supervised. I wouldn't allow them out together unsupervised, especially if there is food out. Ekkies are food obsessed. Roc is Jekyll and Hyde when it comes to food. However with that said, both Rome and Roc are out unsupervised all day together sharing the same stands. They don't have any problems but he may be intimidated by her size. So I don't really have the exp. with an Ekkie being loose with smaller birds. When there is a size difference there is always the chance of mishaps, more because if something does happen it would be more severe due to just size difference.

As far as food their diet isn't really that hard. It seems it in the beginning but really its just a lot of fresh fruits and veggies (and lots of vita A). Honestly mine came to me wing flipping and would not eat a varied enough diet, so he is on an Ekkie specific pellet. There are other options out there. Ever since he was put on them the wing flipping stopped. His diet though is about 50% pellet, 50% fruit.

As far as being touched. I do know some like it. Mine doesn't tolerate it. By this I mean that he will bite you if you ignore his warnings. He is def not a cuddly touchy bird. The only time I can pet him is if he is nervous or just after a bath. Thats one of the reasons why I picked this species though, I did not need (nor want) another bird in the house that was physically needy. From what I've heard, the females tend to be more cuddly but still is usually on their terms.

I wanted a female but picked a male to complement Rome's submissive personality. Depending on the personality of your other birds or the structure of your house (and previous bird exp.) would determine whether female or male would be good. I wouldn't get a female if you've never had larger bird exp before. If you have a busy house: the females are right in the middle of the action, where the males typically like to be present but observing from the sidelines.

Ekkies have the same mimicking ability that a grey has. They are inquisitive and can seem shy by nature. They are also very independent. I love them and I think they are great birds to have. However if your wife is set on a GW, then you should accept the fact that you will one day have one. The Ekkies are awesome but completely different from a GW. Getting an Ekkie is not going to fulfill the need that she has for a GW. Good luck

Molcan2 pretty much covered it. But my Eclectus WILL attack my Senegal every chance he gets. So we have to keep them seperated all the time.

Mac isn't what I call a snuggler, but he will put his head under my neck. He also will tollerate me petting him on his chest, legs and head. But only on his terms and when he wants to.

Thanks to all, everyone has really enlightened me on this matter. I love asking questions on this forum because so many parrot owners are so well informed. I am sure a breeder would not of been able to give all this info. They basically say anything just to make a sell. I personally heard my breeder tell a customer that sun conures are not loud birds. This was right before when I told the potential buyer that they are known for loudness. The reason that I was avoiding the Green wing was because over on the macaw forum I was told that smaller birds would not be safe around them. That was the deal breaker for me. I personally like the African parrots because they are smart and quiet. I will keep the future male Ekkie with the other medium birds like the Jardines and Cape parrot. Once again thanks to everyone.

Also do not be saddened that my wife will not get her dream bird. My dream bird has always been the African Grey and because of our allergic reaction to dander that wish has been killed long time ago. But a future flock of ten parrots will keep the whole family happy and content. I currently have a Quaker, lovebird and sennie. A male Meyers and male red bellied will arrive this winter. Wife graduates in spring and once she is out of pharmacy school then our flock will extend to brown headed parrot, Jardines parrot, Un Cape parrot and male Solomons Ekkie. My flock will be complete.

Sorry did not want any of you to think that I could not count up to ten. The tenth bird will be a male severe macaw. I tend to go with male parrots because female have egg binding issues. I also believe in the myth that males are more vocal and that gives them the greater chance to talk. But that's just me.

When I had a male senegal in my house at the same time as my Female Ekkie , she didnt tolerate him at all ! I never let them out of cages at the same time because it was obvious she didnt like him. If he said a word or made a peep at all she would make a loud alarm sound to him and he would immediately go quiet. She has never made this sound again since he went to his permanent home. My girl also does not like to be touched alot. She allows me to tickle under her wings and occassionally rub her chest or scratch her head. She will go anywhere on our hands or arms though. She is bonded to everyone in the family of 5. She enjoys spending time with us and does several tricks and gives us kisses all day long. She is quite a character and we get hours and hours of enjoyment fom her. If anything here is misspelled, she is at work with me today and like to help me type. Oh she also throws all the pens off my desk into the trash can.

Thanks for the feed back. Now I have to admit even though I favor male parrots the female Ekkie is drop dead gorgeous. Now does your ekkie talk and if so does she have a prolific vocabulary?

Wow, ten birds...quiet the flock . My two exhaust me at times. Don't discount the female. I know that the whole egg bound thing is scary but they really don't lay as much, as would say a Too. As long as you provide a high calcium diet it shouldn't be a problem. With a female as long as you keep the day light hours short and don't provide any where for them nest (like a hut, or box in the cage), oh and don't stimulate them or encourage breeding behavior, you shouldn't have a problem with egg laying. The only reason why I didn't get a female was because of how submissive Rome is. Her last home she was chased around constantly by a hahns macaw and I didn't want the same thing to happen here. Otherwise if Rome had a more forward personality I would have gotten a female instead.

Does anyone own a male and female ekkie? If you do can you let me know if they are bonded to each other? Do they still bond to you? Do you keep them in the same cage? Do both sexes talk? Are they loud like having two Amazons in the house? I kind of need to know because I am having seconds of adopting a Severe macaw because they are one person birds. I would love to replace that choice with a female Ekkie.

Ekkies don't bond to just one bird. They have multiple partners and they don't keep those partners for life either. Having two Ekkies would not cause them to shut everyone else out. Having two of opposite genders could cause un wanted egg laying though and frustration if not allowed to breed during breeding season.

Here are some good sites:

Evolution of the Enigmatic Eclectus – Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)

Eclectus Parrots (Electus roratus / Lorius roratus)

The reason I would like to keep ten parrots because parrots are my passion. Simply love the different types that out there. They all have their own unique personalities. Once my wife starts her career I will then quit my two jobs that I have now and only keep a part time one. So I will be home all the time. Along with the future parrots I would like to have atleast two more kids. My daughter is 14 and I feel like a old 35. Wife and would moving into a bigger home so I could have my own bird room. I would like my bird room to have lots of natural sun light and bird safe plants. I have many things planned ahead.

Well you fine folks have did again! First you helped me choosing a male Ekkie over the GreenWing and now helped choosing a female Ekkie over a male Severe macaw. Thank you so much. I wish everybody the best. Maybe you fine folks might also get the bird fever and also end up with ten parrots as your flock. Peace to all.

Wow, much different information than what I've been told about Eclectus. I heard they are one person birds. Well, at least that's good to know since I've been considering getting one. Thanks for the advice.