Ekkies with smaller species?

Katyo91

New member
Jun 25, 2014
50
1
Wichita, KS
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Indian Ringneck (Beaker)
Sun Conure (Pico)
Hi everyone! Right now I have a sun conure and an IRN but someday (probably in the distant future) i really think i would LOVE to add an eclectus to my "flock". I wanted to ask your guys' opinion before i looked into it any further and got my hopes up! lol.

Do you think that it'd be difficult to introduce / safe for my littler birds to hang out with an ekkie? if I were to get one would you recommend getting a young one who can grow up with my other two around? Should I bring my birds with me before purchasing one so they can "meet"? I know that personality and success with intros pretty much depends on the individual bird...so maybe these questions really cant be answered but I just wanted feedback :)
 

Dinosrawr

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Aug 15, 2013
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Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Avery, a GCC born on March 5th, 2013 & Shiko, a blue IRN born on February 25th, 2014
I'm not an owner of any ekkies, but I will say that it's a good idea to discuss with your breeder how the baby acts with the other siblings. Shiko, my IRN, was a ginormous bully to his siblings and continues to bully every bird he meets. Avery has always been inclined to be near birds and cuddle with them. It's an unfortunate clash of interest with them, haha. That's not to say Shiko can't learn to live with Avery being close, but I don't see them becoming snuggle buddies anytime soon.

I'd also start station training your current birds so you don't have to worry so much about them flying up and scaring your potential new ekkie, resulting in a possible bite. Every time they're out, always be ready to have a barrier. I couldn't say if a baby or older bird would be better, because Shiko was only 3 months when I got him and he's still a big bully a month later :rolleyes:.

I'd go out and meet the bird, though, and gauge it from there :)
 

Anansi

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Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
Should I bring my birds with me before purchasing one so they can "meet"?

You definitely don't want to do that. Bringing your birds into contact with other birds potentially exposes them to infectious diseases such as PBFD, PDD, Avian Bornavirus, or Polyoma virus. So no, I wouldn't take my bird to the breeder/bird store for introductions, no matter how prudent it might otherwise seem.

As for whether or not eclectus can be kept with other, smaller parrots, that does indeed depend on your bird.

Good luck with your decision!
 

Dinosrawr

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Aug 15, 2013
1,587
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Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Avery, a GCC born on March 5th, 2013 & Shiko, a blue IRN born on February 25th, 2014
That, too. I highly doubt a reputable breeder would ever allow outside birds to meet their babies. And pet stores aren't good places to take birds if that's where you find one. A cockatiel and conure randomly died at Brendon's work, and now no one is allowed to handle them until further notice. I'm so glad we practice quarantine with his clothing and the like once he comes home!
 

Anansi

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Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
A cockatiel and conure randomly died at Brendon's work, and now no one is allowed to handle them until further notice. I'm so glad we practice quarantine with his clothing and the like once he comes home!

Oh, Brendon works for a pet store or breeder? If so, quite a wise practice you guys have put in place, Chantal.
 
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Katyo91

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Jun 25, 2014
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Wichita, KS
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Indian Ringneck (Beaker)
Sun Conure (Pico)
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You definitely don't want to do that. Bringing your birds into contact with other birds potentially exposes them to infectious diseases such as PBFD, PDD, Avian Bornavirus, or Polyoma virus. So no, I wouldn't take my bird to the breeder/bird store for introductions, no matter how prudent it might otherwise seem.

As for whether or not eclectus can be kept with other, smaller parrots, that does indeed depend on your bird.

Good luck with your decision!

ahh yes of course! what was i thinking? i have heard of other people doing it! yikes! So, if you were to add another bird to your home do you quarantine in in a separate room for a while? how long? or would you take it to get tests done before even taking it home? What are the steps ? I got both of my birds together so i have no idea about adding a bird from a totally different place.
 

Anansi

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Dec 18, 2013
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Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
So, if you were to add another bird to your home do you quarantine in in a separate room for a while? how long? or would you take it to get tests done before even taking it home? What are the steps ? I got both of my birds together so i have no idea about adding a bird from a totally different place.

You should DEFINITELY get tests done before taking in a new bird. When you have existing birds, getting those tests done beforehand is of utmost importance. Some of those diseases are extremely contagious and one of those tests taken can save the collective lives of your flock.

Now, these tests aren't 100%. They can only detect the presence of the diseases when they are "shedding", or basically in an active phase. In their developmental or latent stages, they can unfortunately go completely undetected.

Because of this, you also want to take the additional step of quarantine. Some people quarantine for just a month, but a safer span of time would be closer to 3 months. And a true quarantine isn't only about proximity. You also want to interact with the new bird(s) after your existing ones, so that you aren't risking contagion through your clothing. (To be technical, you'd really need to wash your hands, face, and change your clothes anytime you go from the new bird(s) to the old.)

Some of the steps seem a bit extreme, but they're worth it when you consider the alternative. Hope that helps!
 
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Katyo91

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Jun 25, 2014
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Wichita, KS
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Indian Ringneck (Beaker)
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So, if you were to add another bird to your home do you quarantine in in a separate room for a while? how long? or would you take it to get tests done before even taking it home? What are the steps ? I got both of my birds together so i have no idea about adding a bird from a totally different place.

You should DEFINITELY get tests done before taking in a new bird. When you have existing birds, getting those tests done beforehand is of utmost importance. Some of those diseases are extremely contagious and one of those tests taken can save the collective lives of your flock.

Now, these tests aren't 100%. They can only detect the presence of the diseases when they are "shedding", or basically in an active phase. In their developmental or latent stages, they can unfortunately go completely undetected.

Because of this, you also want to take the additional step of quarantine. Some people quarantine for just a month, but a safer span of time would be closer to 3 months. And a true quarantine isn't only about proximity. You also want to interact with the new bird(s) after your existing ones, so that you aren't risking contagion through your clothing. (To be technical, you'd really need to wash your hands, face, and change your clothes anytime you go from the new bird(s) to the old.)

Some of the steps seem a bit extreme, but they're worth it when you consider the alternative. Hope that helps!

That is completely helpful! Thanks so much.

I just wish time could fast-forward so I can look into adding to my family already! lol just getting mentally prepared for now... someday though :) :)
 

Scott

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Aug 21, 2010
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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
I've tried to socialize my female Vosmaeri Eclectus with the Goffins but she isn't interested. While she isn't overtly hostile and won't go out her way to interact, they inevitably are drawn to her for grooming. Of course they don't understand her upper-body feathers aren't similar and wind up tugging on a single strand! After about 2 minutes of closeness, she snarls and they back off - until the next time.

Not sure how to answer your question beyond this; my Goffins, Citron, and Moluccans get along very well, but they are all Cockatoos and have many similar characteristics. The Eclectus personality is unique, so it will depend on the chemistry with a new bird.
 
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Katyo91

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Jun 25, 2014
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Wichita, KS
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Indian Ringneck (Beaker)
Sun Conure (Pico)
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haha oops! hopefully someday your goffins and eclectus will be buddies! :)

Yes I guess my question was very broad and almost rhetorical in a way..haha I mean, it all really just depends on the individual bird!

I guess what was going through my mind at the time of posting this was that I know in the future I want a larger bird but not super huge (ex. a macaw).

I love the personality and size of the eclectus (other potential birds that i would consider include african greys and smaller species of cockatoos such as the goffins! :D ) ..... Anyway, I had read somewhere that, for example, African greys tend have a harder time getting along with other species because they are more oriented to being in single-species flocks as opposed to multi-species flocks like South American and Indian parrots..but i was not sure about the Eclectus.
 

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