Do Eclectus cuddle?

Dopey

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I could research this on the internet and get as many different answers as I will here but I'm asking the forum...are Eclectus cuddle birds?

Right now I have three parrots at home. One of them is just happy to stay in his cage most of the time. Another one will climb all over her cage and for a few minutes a night come and play on the java stand. The third one does not like to be in her cage, comes and plays with me for a while and talks up a storm with me (no - I have no clue what she is saying most of the time). Then she will go and explore the other two cages in the room and sometimes check out the dog cage. Play on the java stand for a while and then come back and talk to me and cuddle with me. Do Eclectus do that or are they primarily "watch me - I'm a pretty bird"?
 

4dugnlee

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I see an Ekkie in your future....:54:

I have no input...never had an Eclectus. I'm sure others will jump on with info for you though.;)
 

JerseyWendy

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The ones I had would cuddle yes - on THEIR terms, and not excessively. And strangely enough, my female wanted a boatload more snuggles than my male. :)
 
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Dopey

Dopey

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I love it. Thank you for letting me know.

I realize that two of my birds probably are not going to be cuddlers...and that is okay. Each bird has their own personality. At least the two who aren't cuddling aren't aggressively biting me either.
 

Birdman666

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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
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Most are not really big on the cuddling stuff. I did however, have a foster Eckie Hen that was unusually (and selectively) cuddly... Not from a touch me stand point, more from a want to hang out on your shoulder and be a velcro bird perspective... (Ruby would have been perfectly content to be a velcro shoulder bird! And she was a funny, funny bird... lots of sound effects and comedic timing.)

I'd compare them to grays in that respect. These are another bird that gets handled on its own terms. They tend to not be big on the touchie feelie stuff, except for the times they invite that sort of contact. Then, they kind of demand it.

Females get bossy during breeding season, and they can be seasonal pluckers.

They are, of course, very diet sensitive birds...
 

Birdman666

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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
The ones I had would cuddle yes - on THEIR terms, and not excessively. And strangely enough, my female wanted a boatload more snuggles than my male. :)

EXACTLY! I had the same experience with them...

My female came to me as a biter, and a seasonal plucker. (Which turned out to be more diet related. Change the diet, the plucking stopped. Amazing, eh?!) What she was, was very selective about who she called a friend.

Not you. Him.

Not you. Her.

Which part of the word "no" didn't you understand? How about "ouch?" Do you understand ouch? No means no...

AND IF IT WAS YES, SHE'D DO HER "AIRHORN NOISE" AT YOU IF YOU WALKED BY AND DIDN'T PICK HER UP WHEN SHE WANTED TO BE PICKED UP... She was quite the character.
 
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Dopey

Dopey

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I'd compare them to grays in that respect. These are another bird that gets handled on its own terms. They tend to not be big on the touchie feelie stuff, except for the times they invite that sort of contact. Then, they kind of demand it.
So - pretty to look at? Give me a nice place to play and hang out. Consider yourself lucky if I want to play with you.

Females get bossy during breeding season, and they can be seasonal pluckers. I will watch out for this. Thanks for the heads up.

They are, of course, very diet sensitive birds...I have read this and that is why I stayed away from the Ekkies for a long time. I was afraid that I wouldn't physically be able to give her fresh fruit and veggies every day. I talked with people who own Ekkies and they assured me that I love my fids and care for them enough that and Ekkie will be okay with me.
As always Mark - Thank you for your input.
 

katie_fleming

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Jasper (6yr old Solomon Island Eclectus Parrot)
Jasper loves to cuddle every couple of days or so. I have him up under my chin and use my other hand to wrap around him into a hug. He'll beak scrape and kiss my face for awhile. Normally I'm the one saying ok! Cuddle time over haha

Not as much lately since he's been molting but still happens :)
 
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Dopey

Dopey

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It would be cool if I got a little cuddlier.
But again - if all she does is sit pretty and look good...I'm okay with that. And I honestly don't mean that in a bad way. I'll be okay if she is a "hands off" type of bird.
 

peeko.the.eclectus

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Peeko loves to cuddle! haha. He has even fallen asleep cuddling under my sweater. It may be something they learn to get used to when exposed at a young age. In my case, the cuddling was Peeko's way of towel training since he would cuddle under things.
 

Taw5106

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Sweety - Budgie 1985 - 1986
Venus is turning into a cuddle bug. I've had her for two months now and she will come out to me, likes to play with my fingers, and snuggle between my shoulder and chin. Yesterday I went to lay down and she kept calling so I went and got her off her cage, took her to bed, laid down and put her on my stomach. She snuggled up to my neck. She is more touchable and flexible than Buddy for sure so I vote Yes.
 
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Dopey

Dopey

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Thanks everyone. That is really good to know. I will just keep my fingers crossed that I get a cuddlier.
 

Anansi

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I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, too. I've always heard they weren't big on the cuddles, but the two in my experience would have grafted themselves to me if it had been at all possible. Hahaha!

Btw, I don't know if you know this, but because of the difference in the texture and positioning of their feathers, most ekkies will prefer that you only pet them "with the grain". Petting against the grain is often irritating to them. (Well, except for under their wings. Mine have never minded a little ruffling of the feathers beneath their wings.)
 

Scott

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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
My female Vos is a predictable and voracious cuddler who rivals my Goffins for diligence. Angel will cuddle just about without restriction other than at bedtime. The caveat, however is she is strictly a one-person bird.... me!
 

MikeyTN

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Both my ekkies will cuddle. Especially Gracie would do that with almost anyone but Jojo isn't as trusting to people like she is. He will only cuddle with me. He was a biter and not so friendly when I first got them.
 

LadiDy

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My daughter has two (a female & male) who she recently adopted, and they are cuddle bugs. Both love my grandson who's 5 yrs old, will watch movies and eat popcorn sitting in his lap. Her days off work (usually the weekend) the male follows her all around the house and has earned the nickname stalker bird. She's had them since New Yrs Eve, they are loving their new family and home.
 

Taw5106

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Tweety - Budgie 1984 - 1987
Sweety - Budgie 1985 - 1986
I'll add that Venus is easier to handle than Buddy, like petting. If she has a feather out of place I can touch her and right it. She doesn't like her head touched but likes her chest rubbed with the grain like Anansi said. Buddy is the opposite, you can touch my head and that's it! Now scratch!

I love the air horn comment lol!!! It's so true! She is sounding off more when she wants to be handled. Feeding is improving but she's picky. She wants seed and I won't feed it to her. A trick I do, put food in a bowl and sit in my chair. She comes running and will eat from the cup with me. She'll leave the food in the cage untouched a lot or toss it but if I have a cup, she's going to eat it. So I'm getting my fruits and veg too, more than I was.

I got harness on her sooner than Buddy, Venus 2 months, Buddy 8 months. Venus is not afraid of everything like Buddy is so I keep an eye on her. When I took her to Petsmart she was touching the toys and kept going to a little disco ball. She loves exploring and getting into things too. She's a dare devil too. I leave her cage open during the day and on Monday she tried to fly out of her cage but ended up landing on the bottom of her cage at the door coming beak to nose with Canelo our bulldog. He sniffed her, she bit him, he does an about face and runs away. She starts climbing the outside of her cage to her play top. Sometimes she's a little too fearless to me.
 

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