Eclectus, Ducorps, or...?

Hi, I just joined in hopes of getting some advice about what kind of bird we should get, if any at all. I know that each bird will have his/her own personality, but any species-specific advice at all would be appreciated!

At first I had my heart set on an Eclectus- I did do my research, and a few years ago I even went and put a downpayment on a little SI girl. However, the breeder didn't have any girls at the time and then she got sick and... well, long story, but I never got the baby or my deposit back. I was pretty disheartened and gave up looking for a while.

Now I'm considering again . The main thing is, I want to be sure that whichever bird I get, I can make sure that it is happy.

I went to a small breeder to look at Red-sided Eclectus last week, and met a Ducorps cockatoo for the first time, too, as well as a Congo Grey. The baby Grey and the Ducorps were very sweet and outgoing- it was so cute how the Grey would seek scratches from anyone who would walk by, and the Ducorps seemed to love everyone as well, happily going from one person to another. The Eclectus were a little more shy with us as expected.

Our living situation is that my boyfriend and I own a small architectural design company, and ideally the bird would come to the office with us in the daytime. The plus side is that he/she would very rarely be left alone, and would always have people around. But we do not have a very steady schedule, so I am afraid that this is the main issue. Sometimes we go home at 5 pm, other times we work until 10 pm. Our office is relatively quiet (in terms of people- just a few employees and clients) and ideally, our parrot could keep screaming to a minimum. I am aware that all birds can be noisy, and moderate noise is fine. Just hoping to avoid ear-piercing, constant shrieks for the sanity of our staff.

I am also hoping to get a bird that isn't a "one-person bird", since my boyfriend and I will both be caring for him/her. I would be the primary caretaker, but since I am not in my home country now, I do need a bird who will not fall apart when I go home to renew visa/visit parents/etc. for about two or three weeks every year.

Basically, I guess I would like an intelligent, mellow bird who can be reasonably tolerant of change and go with the flow (i.e. not be prone to attack staff and clients, haha... yes, I know this is more a training issue than species). I am told a Grey is not a good idea. Dietary needs and cost are not an issue. Though far from wealthy, we have considered what it would take in material terms to raise a happy baby. I'm only concerned if we might be a good fit.

Thank you for reading, any advice at all would be appreciated! I'm going to try to cross-post in the Eclectus and Cockatoo forums.

Welcome!!
Hm, if you don't mind my asking, have you had any experience owning/caring for birds before, and if so what kind?
(This is a good way to begin on ideas = ) )

Welcome to the forum!

Different species have different pro's and con's, but as always, they're individual no matter what breed. You may end up with a bird that goes against all their "species rules". I guess what I'm trying to say, is that if this happened, how would you cope?

It's something that I've had to deliberate with all my pets as my situation isn't too disimilar to yours!

Thank you for the warm welcome!

I've only owned cockatiels before, but have considered a larger parrot for some time, and have done a lot of research. I do want to take the plunge, but only if I'm sure I can give the bird a happy home. So here I am asking advice!

What would I do if I got the unexpected... that's an interesting question. Well, I'm not really sure, but I would start by researching the specific issues and seeing how to work with them. To be totally honest, this is where I am a little afraid. How would I deal with a bird that only wanted to scream and bite?

My other two babies are Yorkshire Terriers, and they are nothing less than family. I went through a lot of heartache a few years ago when one of my Yorkies (Jaye) was diagnosed with cancer. The vet told me to put her down immediately, but I took her home and cried myself to sleep. I woke up to Jaye nudging me with her toy hedgehog. She thought *I* was the one who was sick, and brought me her toy to cheer me up! That moment made up my mind that I was not going to give up on her, and I called the vet again. With exasperation, he told me to put her down unless I wanted to "spend thousands of dollars for a couple more years" for her. I informed him that yes, in fact, that's what I wanted to do... even though I was a poor student barely scraping by at the time. Well, I got en exhausting job in food service and paid for her chemotherapy. A lot of people said I was crazy working all those hours for a dog- but my Jaye was not "a dog" to me- she was someone who was always there for me as I was growing up, so how could I not be there for her? She lived four more quality years with routine chemotherapy. I guess the point I'm trying to (long-windedly) make here is that just as I would never let one of my Yorkies go to a home that wasn't "forever", I would never bring in a bird to my home if I wasn't prepared to work with him/her through thick and thin. So I guess that's my main hesitation... all the what if's? Because parrots, in my opinion, are in some ways so much more complex than Yorkies.

I love how you see your animals, and you sound like you'd be a wonderful home!
I do urge you though to not choose a cockatoo as a first parrot. They are extremely demanding, prone to very loud screaming, and generally very needy. Totally worth it, but quite a lot to take in! = ) I wish I could be more help with an electus, but I have no experience with them and would rather not give you here say, but I'm sure someone will chime in with loads of info for you!
Have you given any thought to a Quaker? They're lovely guys, huge personality in a smaller body so less painful bites, and even at their loudest they're nothing if you've ever heard a macaw holler! Quite smart, they enjoy learning tricks and can talk surprisingly well. Just my opinion, but I think they'd do well with your life style and be more portable going to the office and such, and when socialized properly they CAN be two person/family birds.
If you're willing to take time working with your new bird, ANY issues can be overcome. Whichever type you choose, please do consider adoption, there are soo many lonely beaks dying for a cuddle!! It will be a bit of work, but even purchasing a baby is as well, especially when breeding age hits!!
Best of luck, keep us updated! = )

Cal is my first parrot. The closest I've had experience with before was with a cockatiel like yourself.

I'm the same as you, my other pets are my family and I have never given up or given away any animal.

All I can tell you is a parrot is nothing like any other pet lol. I read extensively on Sun Conures on and off for over 5yrs and Cal still surprises me daily. The people on this forum are FABULOUS. Honestly, it's like Cal has Aunty's and Uncle's all over the world. In 6 weeks she has gone from being in an aviary, only being touched with human hands twice, (once being when she was put into the carry case to come home with me), to a lil bundle of joy who wants to be with us 24/7 - preferably ON us for cuddles, kisses and stroking etc.

If I could do anything differently, and if I could advise you anything, it's to learn what you can about bird psycology. With my doggies and other pets, they tend to read you well and cooperate with what YOU want them to do. With a parrot....well...it's entirely upside down lol. It's the other way. You have to listen to them and do what they want! Then, when that wonderful, magical, exceptionally emotional bond is forming, you'll find any sort of training to be really rather easy. Step up....no bite....no shout....go poop.....come here.....offering food....games.....it ALL comes at once when they extend that wing of friendship. It just cannot be the other way around. That is the most valuble lesson Cal has taught me.

People may disagree with this but when I figured it out it seemed like every minute she was trying something new and looking at me for reassurance that it was ok.

So very, very special. It still is, and always will be.

I hope you could make sense of that somehow! It's very hard to explain but I relate to you very well as you are me less than 3 months ago lol!