An Interview with Dos Ekkies

There have been a few threads lately where the topic of ekkie beak strength has come up, and there seems to be a belief out there that ekkies lack the beak strength to so much as crack a nut. So I addressed the issue with my Eclectic Duo and, as you might imagine, they were quite insulted. (Well, Maya was. Jolly just shrugged his shoulders and asked for another nut.) In fact, Maya demanded I do a video interview so that they might set the record straight.

She prides herself on her beak's ability to both lacerate AND crush.

So here is the interview that followed:
[ame="https://youtu.be/oyXm5Pke6_s"]https://youtu.be/oyXm5Pke6_s[/ame]

And btw, I don't know why Maya always insists on going all Stay-Puft whenever I take out the camera, but here's a pic I managed to snag today so that you all know her actual profile. Lol!

Ekkies 2 Nuts 0!

Loved the Lady Maya all Stay Puft, a girl has to look her best on camera.

Sir Jolly, rushing over, "am I going to get one Dad?"

Lovely to see your eclectic duo Stephen, it's been a while.

Yaaas!! Crush 'em! Beautiful birds. <3

As an aside...
I don't always read about beak strength, but when I do, I prefer Dos Ekkies!

Love your Ekkies! They are such beautiful birds. I bet for any further doubters, Maya would love to do a live beak on finger demonstration

I love science! Especially when it involves pretty birdies.

Omg I'm dying over here. You had me in stitches the whole video

there's confusion on Ekkie beak strength?

I know they're not AS powerful as other birds their size but can still pack a punch if they want, but they make up for any force with a blade-like beak. the one I heard from a friend out in the states who owns both an Ekkie and a Sun that what he knows of is the beak strength is relative to how big it is compared to a bird's face and how wide if is, why Tiels have less power than a conure for example

Now go! Destroy all those nuts!

LOL!! Case closed! I love how Maya is like "Yeah, I guess I can take a break from preening to annihilate an almond". And Jolly is in begging position the entire time, then runs over like "gimme gimme GIMME!". They are the cutest almond crushers.

I have not laughed this hard in ages...your commentary was hysterical!
Maya and Jolly sure put that to rest.
I can say from experience that I haven't ever questioned an Ekkie's beak strength after being bitten the first time. Ouch! I would far rather be bitten by anyone else in my flock who doesn't feel the need to grind as they bite.

galeriagila said:

as an aside...
I don't always read about beak strength, but when i do, i prefer dos ekkies!

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roflmao! Snort!

plumsmum2005 said:

Ekkies 2 Nuts 0!

Loved the Lady Maya all Stay Puft, a girl has to look her best on camera.

Sir Jolly, rushing over, "am I going to get one Dad?"

Lovely to see your eclectic duo Stephen, it's been a while.

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Yup, Maya's our resident diva! Whether in slim profile or butterball fluff mode. Lol! And Jolly is ALWAYS asking, "Am I going to get one, Dad?" He's literally never refused food he likes. People must think I starve the poor boy.

And thanks, K! Has been a while since I posted an update for them. Life's been a wee bit hectic, lately.

tashawithanekkie said:

Yaaas!! Crush 'em! Beautiful birds. <3

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Thank you! Yeah, they're always quite enthusiastic about crushing vanquishing nuts, their sworn enemy! Lol!

GaleriaGila said:

As an aside...
I don't always read about beak strength, but when I do, I prefer Dos Ekkies!

Click to expand...

Hahaha! I just KNEW you were going to catch that one when I made the title, Gail! Love it!

Kiwibird said:

Love your Ekkies! They are such beautiful birds. I bet for any further doubters, Maya would love to do a live beak on finger demonstration

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Thank you, April! That means a lot coming from Kiwi's mom!

Yeah, Maya is quite willing to quell doubts on that score. Hahaha! I'm just the lucky one on her No Bite list. Sigh... work in progress.

Kentuckienne said:

I love science! Especially when it involves pretty birdies.

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Hahaha! Jolly and Maya thank you, and have asked me to let you know both are available for any other food experimentation needs you may have.

chris-md said:

Omg I'm dying over here. You had me in stitches the whole video

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I'm glad you liked, Chris! Those two are such characters, so I figured I'd share the joy.

LordTriggs said:

there's confusion on Ekkie beak strength?

I know they're not AS powerful as other birds their size but can still pack a punch if they want, but they make up for any force with a blade-like beak. the one I heard from a friend out in the states who owns both an Ekkie and a Sun that what he knows of is the beak strength is relative to how big it is compared to a bird's face and how wide if is, why Tiels have less power than a conure for example

Now go! Destroy all those nuts!

Click to expand...

I've never heard of eclectus beak strength being any less than birds of comparable size, such as greys or amazons. I have heard that about their foot grip strength, however.

Yes, beak strength is partially determined by the size of the beak relative to the size of the face. The other factors are the shaping of the lower beak (the more "shovel-like", the better the leverage of the grip), and the structure of the beak musculature itself. An example of the last two is the toucan. Given their beak size, you'd figure they'd deliver a powerful bite. But the structure, and the narrow profile of the lower beak, render their beaks less powerful than one might have imagined. (Though the serrated edges reportedly make for a nasty bite when they are determined.)

Ha! Sadly, Jolly and Maya have taken your exhortation to go, "Destroy all those nuts" quite literally. Lol!

RisingSun said:

LOL!! Case closed! I love how Maya is like "Yeah, I guess I can take a break from preening to annihilate an almond". And Jolly is in begging position the entire time, then runs over like "gimme gimme GIMME!". They are the cutest almond crushers.

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Maya and Jolly thank you! "Annihilate an almond" is pretty much the best description of what Maya does. Lol! And yeah, you nailed Jolly, too. "Gimme gimme GIMME!" Pretty much his mission statement. Hahaha!

Beak strength or not..I just LOVE those Ekkie faces!

Nice vid btw Stephen






Jim

Terry57 said:

I have not laughed this hard in ages...your commentary was hysterical!
Maya and Jolly sure put that to rest.
I can say from experience that I haven't ever questioned an Ekkie's beak strength after being bitten the first time. Ouch! I would far rather be bitten by anyone else in my flock who doesn't feel the need to grind as they bite.

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Thanks, Terr! Yes, I think the results were quite conclusive.

"I would far rather be bitten by anyone else in my flock who doesn't feel the need to grind as they bite." Wow, that carries weight coming from someone with a flock the size of yours, my friend. And a flock that includes a 'too, to boot!

Was that first ekkie bite from Ekko?

AmyMyBlueFront said:

Beak strength or not..I just LOVE those Ekkie faces!

Nice vid btw Stephen

Jim

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Thanks, Jim! Yeah, those ekkie faces just melt me every time. They're so full of expression.

those don't look like in shell almonds, could of also softened them up. personally don't think ours eats them whole.

"Could of also softened them up"? Are you implying that I've doctored the results? Rigged the experiment? Gave them a few taps with the old hammer to ensure my duo's success?

Hahahahaha! High comedy!

love that Maya is preening away while Jolly is watching your every move.

Hahaha! That is very much reflective of their personalities. Jolly is the hyper one. Maya is always the more laid back of the two.