Hello!

[RaiOkami]

Most unoriginal title ever, I know...!
Anyway, I am a 28 year old woman from sweden. The reason I turn to this forum is that I find myself in a place where I have quite the questions, but no answers, not really. I was hoping some kind souls here could shed a light on something I've missed!
See, I find myself in the unenviable position that I am allergic to bird dust. While also being a huge bird lover in general. I have tried with 'tiels and doves and none of those have worked out. Now I am looking at eclectus, and would like some opinons and input. ARE they as dust free as they're made out to be? Does anyone here know If they are in fact a valid option for allergic people first hand? Are there other parrots, something ore cuddly (I just love to cuddle with my little birds...!) perhaps, but still in medium size? I have the space, no problem, and strongly prefer a bigger bird.

Well, THAT was mostly a ton of questions, I realize... all my thoughts right now revolve around finding the best home for my doves possible while still trying to desperately see If my dream of a cuddly pet bird can still go on or not. I am aware that I may just have to let It go... so this is sort of a last attempt to reach out and see what people can share in the ways of wisdom!

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, there are just so many titles available!

Of all the parrots in my home, the Eclectus is by far the "cleanest" with little powder residue. Most of my birds are cockatoos, so I'll let other members suggest additional species for consideration.

Two other factors are the degree of your sensitivity, and the ability to cleanse the air in the bird environment. Some folks are so allergic they are unable to keep any bird. Highly efficient air filters and cleaners are available to significantly reduce the amount of lingering dander.

We have a few members with allergies, hopefully they will discover your thread!

 

[RaiOkami]

Thank you!
Yeah, but I probably picked the most generic one! xD

But they do still produce some powder then? I am in the medium range of sensetivity, I'd say. It's such a shame, and was a shock too. I am not allergic to anything else but mozzarella! (probably buffalo milk in general) What are the odds...!
I'll see that I keep air filters around then, even for an ekkie, If It goes that way...! How cuddly is yours? The "keep your distance" kind of cuddly that I seem to understand they have?

I hope they find it too, It would be great to hear from someone who actually solved the conundrum! I appreciate ANY reply and insight of course, I just haven't been able to get a first hand account in all my tries in sweden. They generally don't know what I am talking about, even, and eclectus are really rare, to boot.

 

[Scott]

Thank you!
Yeah, but I probably picked the most generic one! xD

But they do still produce some powder then? I am in the medium range of sensetivity, I'd say. It's such a shame, and was a shock too. I am not allergic to anything else but mozzarella! (probably buffalo milk in general) What are the odds...!
I'll see that I keep air filters around then, even for an ekkie, If It goes that way...! How cuddly is yours? The "keep your distance" kind of cuddly that I seem to understand they have?

I hope they find it too, It would be great to hear from someone who actually solved the conundrum! I appreciate ANY reply and insight of course, I just haven't been able to get a first hand account in all my tries in sweden. They generally don't know what I am talking about, even, and eclectus are really rare, to boot.

They produce some powder, but very little. Their feathers from the head down to the "shoulders" are actually single-stranded while the remainder are mostly typical with a central shaft.

Found a few threads discussing bird dander and allergies/asthma:
http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/60751-allergies.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/congo-timneh-greys/52652-parrot-dander-question.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/57987-managing-asthma-grey-family.html

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Welcome!
Finding this place was the best thing that ever happened to me and the Rb!
I'm glad you're here.

 

[ZephyrFly]

Hello and welcome!

Only suggestion, as I don't know eclectus' very well sadly but look into new world parrots.

Old world parrots like 'teils are dusty to maintain their skin and feathers while new world parrots have an oil gland to do the same. Including the bit of dander/dust a bird will preen and drop from molting feathers, all birds produce a little dust but new world do tend to sit better with people with mild allergies.

Always check a species to see if they are dusty or have an oil gland, I think if you google search new or old world parrot you'll find a list of species for either but always look into the species individually.

An examples of new world parrots are I believe all conures species, Green Cheeks, Black caps, Patagonians, mitred, etc. (correct me if I'm wrong)

 

[RaiOkami]

Fiboy, Gila and Zephyr, thank you very much for the welcome!
And thank you for the suggested birds too! Sadly, conures isn't actually an option, due to the unavailability of them, paired with the much higher pitched sounds they make, and me living in an apartment. I have understood they are NOT apartment birds! ^^'
I know Ekkies can be loud too, they are medium sized parrots after all, but more often than not, there seem to be quite quiet individuals around. At least that is the impression I have gotten from my research...!

 

[Scott]

My Ekkie experience is they are fairly quiet. They can have a loud attention-seeking "honk" but they don't go on for minutes or longer as do others. Talking ability can be excellent; my male Sasquatch had the most human-like speaking ability I've ever heard.