Eclectus or Grey

[MissyandMary]

Hi Everyone,
I am looking into a new bird to add to my family. I have done some reading on-line about the different birds and have narrowed it down to a Grey or an Eclectus. I went into my local bird shop and the shop owner said she has just the bird for me. A 7 month old Grey came in that is on consignment. The last owner's partner was jealous of the bird I guess... I don't know. This Grey is very sweet and hand tamed. I held her and spent a little time with her. She let me pet her too.

I am drawn to Eclectus too.

I am curious about what you all think. Of course I am little worried about taking home a Grey that has been abandoned. But something also draws me to this.
I should say my bird experience is some what limited. I have two lovebirds that I adopted last year. It has been tough since they were not happy about their owner giving them up. We are now getting along better.

I am interested in an intelligent bird that flocks with the whole family. I want the bird to be affectionate and interested in being around us.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Kate

 

[Chikoo]

If you want a bird that flocks with the whole family, then there is no question. You should get an eclectus. Greys are notorious for being one-person birds.

 

[MissyandMary]

Yeah that is what I have read

 

[CathnPoe]

you don't get dander with Eclectus, so all that powder and feather mess with Greys is minimised with this lovely bird.
My vet specialises in Eclectus, and his opinion is that they are more intelligent than Greys, having worked with both. So don't pick Greys purely on intelligence.
Eclectus are quieter than Greys as well, but only in terms of squawks, not chat.
Also, Greys are prone to phobias, while Eclectus are not, at all.
So, overall, with an Eclectus, you get a quieter, cleaner, equally intelligent, more psychologically balanced (generally speaking) parrot, that (as Chikoo said) is more likely to enjoy your whole family, not just you. (Providing everyone gives equal attention.)

Hope this helped, I'm sure you've got some good counter-arguments in the Grey Forum.

 

[Chikoo]

That said, your eclectus may "choose" someone as his or her favorite. My female prefers my wife and my male prefers me. But the preference is not all that dramatic. Both birds will step up onto both of us, and bathe with either of us, and do anything with either of us. The trust level is the same. But I can tell my female likes hanging out on my wife's shoulder a bit more

 

[mcmalott]

I have an Amazon and an Eclectus.....Amazons are comparable in may ways to Greys...Even though I love my Amazon with all my heart I would choose the Eclectus....they do not pick one person and ignore/dislike others - my Eclectus picks me because I am his primary person in the home but he readily steps up and spends time with the rest of my family .... he also loves our friends that come over and enjoys interacting with them....if you want a bird that is just yours choose the Grey if you want a bird that loves and depends on you but accepts others and is friendly with them choose the Eclectus! Also remember male Eclectus are less dominant ..... read alot on this forum..it has taught me ALOT!

 

[MissyandMary]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I am going to keep reading and researching each bird. This forum is great!