help me choose!!

[cdog]

I cant decide between a timneh African grey, white capped pionus, or an eclectus. Can you guys help me decide please! I would like to know all the pros and cons of these species as well as...
cage size requirements for each
diet requirements
pros and cons
and really just any info you have that can help me decide.
Please help me I just cant decide I wish I could get all three but I cant.

 

[Spiritbird]

I have a TAG named Rosie. She is without a doubt totally sweet and smart. She has had no health problems. Of course I give her all the best foods. Likes her veggies cooked. Rarely bites and was easy to train. Why not go see these types of birds and let the bird pick you.

 

[cdog]

I'm leaning towards a tag, what size cage do you have?

 

[Enjru]

I suggest an unrelated pair of the Vosmaeri subspecies of eclectus, because of the stunning rainbow colors!! You can consider the female to be a challenge for you to handle!

I suggest keeping the 2 birds separately, each one in a cage 4ft wide x 3ft deep x 6ft (external) high (with knee high cage bottoms on top of shelves/cupboards for less bending and easier cleaning). Eclectus diet consists of more Vitamin A rich vegies and fruits and less pellets, especially avoiding any colored pellets that contain ethoxyquin.

Eclectus are amongst the parrots known for being some of the best talkers. They are very intelligent, but, as a generalization, they take their time to carefully observe situations thoroughly before reacting. So, unfortunately, some people take this to mean that they are stupid, or that they never notice anything wrong enough to react sufficiently to become problems. However, it seems more likely that the eclectus will, in fact, internalize any mistreatment, and then take it out on itself in the form of feather plucking, self mutilation, etc.

 

[cdog]

I wish I had the space for two but sadly I don't. I am really considering a tag because it has been my dream bird for a long time.

 

[cdog]

I'm home schooled so I have time and I have always connected with animals more than people so I would love to have a grey now and to have it be my companion for life. Would a cage 32"×22"×35" be a good cage for a tag? Or would 30"×21"×40" be better?

 

[KatherineI]

I met a guy today who has had his bird since he was in middle school. The bird, which was a rescue, is now 20, and they survived HS and college together. But he was extremely dedicated and not everyone has that type of dedication.

Having had a TAG, I would highly suggest them to anyone with experience and the dedication. Our TAG was rather sweet, very intelligent, talkative. Just as smart as any CAG, same speech abilities. If you can afford one, have the space and the time, and plan on doing your best to keep the bird no matter what, I say go for a TAG.

 

[Pedro]

Cdog my friend personally i don't think it matters what parrot you choose. I don't really think you need any help from us either but eccies are wonderful parrots & will fit into your busy schedual just fine. Hint, hint.

 

[cdog]

Ha, your good Pedro. But I think I might end up with a tag, I have always wanted an African grey. But I really want to adopt and the only ag I could find were two sisters that have to live in the same cage and I don't have enough space for a cage that big. On the other hand, there are a lot of eclectus in shelters that need homes and I have wanted an eclectus ever since I've heard of them.
So if I do get an eclectus which gender should I get?

 

[Enjru]

As a generalization, male eclectus are easier to keep tame. Female eclectus can be more of a challenge because they can be bossy.

 

[Pedro]

Well if your up for a challenge a female would suit but that said there are some beautiful natured girls out there. However the males a more laid back, sometimes a little reserved. Both can have behavioral problems but most bad behaviors are learnt from their carer. I don't have a prob with mine in fact i hardly know they are here unless the are talking.

I can't comment on the grey's, although i would love one & if i should purchase I think i would just treat it like my other parrots.

I guess at the end of the day if you have to choose you would have to go with the parrot you really have your heart set on.

Word of warning:- You know it just doesn't stop there. There will be more, & more & more

 

[cdog]

That's what I read. Thanks.

 

[cdog]

Oh wait, don't eclectus need big cages, bigger than a tag? I don't have space for a really big cage.

 

[Enjru]

Heheh, you know that no one is going to tell you to get a small cage when we can tell you to get a big cage, LOL! But, how much space DO you have for the cage that you CAN get, and maybe we can tell you if that cage would be sufficient, eh?

 

[cdog]

The only issue is length, I can only get one that's about 36" long. Depth and height aren't really a problem.

 

[Enjru]

I would have liked to see any of the birds on your list in a cage that's at least 3.5 ft wide x 2.5 ft deep. I guess 3 ft wide x 3 ft deep might be OK, but that would be a weird shape for a commercially produced bird cage, hmm...

 

[cdog]

Well they will only be in it at night and mabey a couple of hours a day.

 

[Enjru]

Hmm...maybe you can remove the cage skirting panels and just have the whole space for the bird to use. In this case, my opinion would be that 3 ft x 2.5 ft would be the bare minimum, provided that the bird can actually use all of that space and has lots of "out of cage" time. Cheers!

 

[cdog]

I'm trying to find bigger ones on craiglist or ebay but I'm having a tough time. I wont get a bird for at least a month so I still have time to look.

 

[Pedro]

The pic above is new & wasn't in use at the time of the photo. It is of the size cage i use as a weaning cage & the ones i keep my eclectus chicks in until sold. Usually 2 per cage. Measurements are 36inches wide X 40 inches long X 23 inches deep. They have plenty of room. I also have a big play stand indoors where they hang out when i have time to bring them indoors.

It doesn't matter what size cage you have as long as the birds have daily exercise outside their cage. Mine can spend 6 to 8 hours out of their cages. Eclectus can even be trained to spend the whole day out & only use the cage to sleep at night. Although i think my 2 sookie boys would happily sleep on the stand at night.

I do however put them in the cage if i am not going to be home all day.
Hope that is of help Cdog.