Lonely eclectus

[Jeffryboy]

Hi I’m new to partotforums. I have one male eclectus 1yr old which my family and I adore. He had become friends with our older conure who is no longer with us it’s been a month or so and I think he’s lonely because he craves my attention more than usual. I was wondering if I should get another male or female eclectus? Or an entirely different type of parrot like grey or amazon?

 

[chris-md]

Hello and welcome!

Sorry to hear about your conure!

Unfortunately this is not really the best way to consider adding a second bird. I’m afraid your likely projecting your own feelings into your ekkie. I believe what you are seeing is transference. He may have focused some of his energy on the conure. Without that bird there, his attention as to go somewhere.

If you are going to consider another bird, the only reason to get one should not be because you want a companion for your Ekkie. It needs to be because YOU want one, YOU have room in your hearts and home, and YOU who is willing to deal with the consequences that come with two birds who may not get along.

So it needs to be about you, not about your Ekkie.

 

[Jeffryboy]

Thank you for your advice. You are very right. I miss my little guy and I miss the fact that they were so cute together.

 

[saxguy64]

So sorry about your conure. I totally agree with Chris. I would also consider a couple things. First, parrots are more kids than pets, and as such, give yourself some time to grieve. It's hard. I lost my BFA a little more than a year ago and it was killing me for a long time. I still miss him terribly. I didn't know if I would ever be ready for another bird, but the right one found me eventually. Second, consider it an honor that your Ekkie chose to seek the attention from you instead of withdrawing, or other negative behavior possibilities. He now wants more attention from you, and even though for a sad reason, you have more time to give him. Enjoy him while you heal your heart and come to terms with the loss of your conure.

 

[wrench13]

Agree 100% with Sax and Chris. Second or third or fifth parrot should always be becasue you want one not becasuse you think your lil buddy wants a friend. Lots n lots of times newly introduced parrots hate each other. Most are indifferent or jealous ( time wise) and a few become fast friends.

 

[Cardinal]

My suggestion in most such cases would be go for rescuing a budgie or a cockatiel.
There are 1000s of them who are neglected or in homes of people who may not really want them.

But the danger I have heard is that Budgies may carry some diseases that they are immune to but that may impact larger parrots, so chose a healthy bird and keep the bird in quarantine before introducing him/her (in a separate cage) to your bird room.

 

[EllenD]

I totally agree with everyone who has already spoken, you should NEVER EVER get a second bird for your current bird! There is absolutely no guarantee that whatever bird you bring home will get along with your current bird, or vice versa. The relationship that your current bird had with your bird that passed is not something you can recreate, and a lot of the time people go and get another bird that they wouldn't get otherwise, but like you, they think their current bird is "lonely" and remembers the relationship they had with the bird that just passed away...then when they get another bird home they hate each other, are violent with each other, and jealousy issues between cause your relationship with both of them to be strained.

My best advice is only get another bird when YOU are ready for one, when YOU want one, and then go for it. And if the new bird bonds with your current bird then that's awesome, but if they hate each other you can work with that, because you wanted to get the new bird and that's the only reason you have him. Your Ekkie is probably missing his mate, but he's not "lonely" as he has you...

And FYI to Cardinal, I've not ever heard anything about Budgies and/or Cockatiels carrying diseases that don't effect them but do effect larger species of parrots....Do you know what disease or diseases you're speaking of? I've been a Budgie and Cockatiel owner/breeder/hand-raiser for decades, and owned large parrots at the same time, and I've not ever heard of this nor had an issue, so I'm curious as to what disease or diseases you're talking about...

 

[Jeffryboy]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I do want to get another eclectus eventually but I will wait till I’m ready to add another change to the family. We are still missing our little guy. Thank you all for your help.

 

[Anansi]

Hello, and welcome to the Parrot Forums family! I'm so sorry for the loss of your conure. I see that wonderful advice has already been doled out by the armload, so I won't beat a dead horse. Especially seeing how very receptive you've been to all the advice given.

Seeing as you have mentioned wanting to eventually get another ekkie, here's a link to a thread that may help in that regard for when you're ready: http://www.parrotforums.com/training/74214-introducing-second-bird.html#post714358

 

[Cardinal]

I

And FYI to Cardinal, I've not ever heard anything about Budgies and/or Cockatiels carrying diseases that don't effect them but do effect larger species of parrots....Do you know what disease or diseases you're speaking of? I've been a Budgie and Cockatiel owner/breeder/hand-raiser for decades, and owned large parrots at the same time, and I've not ever heard of this nor had an issue, so I'm curious as to what disease or diseases you're talking about...

I had read this somewhere, only about budgies- not cockatiels. Also I had read that Agapornis lovebirds being housed with Macaws could pose a similar problem because Lovebirds can mask or are immune to Ornithosis, while Macaws succumb easily.

Will give the reference , when I come across it; is not throwing up in google search.

Avin

 

[Anansi]

I

And FYI to Cardinal, I've not ever heard anything about Budgies and/or Cockatiels carrying diseases that don't effect them but do effect larger species of parrots....Do you know what disease or diseases you're speaking of? I've been a Budgie and Cockatiel owner/breeder/hand-raiser for decades, and owned large parrots at the same time, and I've not ever heard of this nor had an issue, so I'm curious as to what disease or diseases you're talking about...

I had read this somewhere, only about budgies- not cockatiels. Also I had read that Agapornis lovebirds being housed with Macaws could pose a similar problem because Lovebirds can mask or are immune to Ornithosis, while Macaws succumb easily.

Will give the reference , when I come across it; is not throwing up in google search.

Avin

Yes, I've read it too. About budgies, cockatiels and one or two other species. Though I don't remember exactly where I read it, so don't take this statement as gospel. (I can't remember just how reputable the source was, or whether the findings were scientifically tested or more anecdotal in nature.) But if I recall correctly, it wasn't a wholesale immunity. More like a significantly greater proportion of carriers vs infected reported as compared to other avian species. And sometimes it was only a case of longer incubation periods rather than an outright immunity.

Also, it was only one or, at most, two diseases.