BDubbs...Welcome to our community, where I'm certain you'll either find the answers to all your questions, and if you don't, all you have to do is ask! Please don't ever hesitate to ask any and all questions that you have, as there really are at least a few members with experience in just about everything bird-related here...And we are all more than ready and willing to help you!
I've never really believed in the myth of a "Starter-Bird" myself either, for a few different reasons, mainly because I don't believe that any species of bird or parrot are simply "starters" or for "beginners"...If that was true then we'd never see a Budgie, a Cockatiel, a Canary, a Finch, etc. on this forum being fed the wrong diet, being kept in too-small a cage with not enough toys, or displaying behavioral-issue because they are not getting near-enough out-of-cage-time every time...A bird is a bird, and they are all highly intelligent, sensitive, emotional, and are not to be compared to having a pet dog, cat, rabbit, etc.
Now that being said, I certainly do not suggest that someone who has never owned or cared for any species of bird before in their lives going out and bringing home a Cockatoo, a Grey, etc. And this is precisely one of the main reasons that there are literally tens of thousands of Cockatoos, African Grays, Macaws, etc. in Rescues/Shelters and being re-homed by individuals on sites like Craigslist, Hoobly, etc. There is no substitute for hands-on experience when it comes to learning how to physically-interact with parrots, so I think it's a wonderful and very responsible idea for you to start volunteering at an Avian Rescue and working with the different species of parrots...
Something that I would keep-in-mind if I were you, while you're working with the different parrot species at the Rescue, is that even though right now you are focusing-in on an Ekkie, you may very well interact with another species that just takes your heart away...And that's usually how it happens, the bird chooses the person, not the other way around, and when it happens this way, well that's when it's most successful all the way around...After all, you've only interacted with a single Eclectus, and you're basing the type of parrot you want to bring into your life, your home, and your family for decades and decades based on that one, single bird you know...And parrots are very similar to human beings in a lot of different ways, they are extremely intelligent, they are sensitive, they have deep feelings and emotions, and yes, each individual parrot is just that...an individual. So it's important to not ever "stereotype" an entire species of parrot based on one individual bird...This is a lesson that we all need to learn, not only about birds, but also about people, lol..
I've not ever owned an Ekkie myself, I have cared for many at the Avian/Reptile Rescue that I have been a volunteer at for about 8 years now. The Ekkie diet isn't a huge deal, just as long as you know what is going to be required of you every day as far as preparing fresh meals for your bird, and you're certain not to give-in and feed an Ekkie things they shouldn't be eating, then the diet isn't a big deal at all, and really shouldn't be a huge factor in deciding whether to bring one into your family, just as long as you are totally aware of what you're going to have to do every single day regarding their diet and you don't have an issue with it...
*****What I would focus on while trying to decide what species of parrot you'll ultimately add to your family is what it is that you're looking for in the bird you'll add to your family...What type of personality are you wishing for? Do you want a Velco-Bird? Do you want a very independent bird? Do you want your bird to be cuddly, snuggly, etc.? Or would you rather that your bird was less of a "hands-on" kind of bird?
You see what I'm getting at...Each species of parrot is extremely unique, and though any parrot can be trained and learn just about anything, there are tendencies unique to each species...So hopefully you'll have the opportunity to work closely with a variety of different species of birds, and then with many individual birds within each species...And hopefully those species will include several Ekkies, so that you can actually get a real feel for what they are like, what their typical personality is like, and how they will both meet and fail to meet your expectations...The bottom-line is that you shouldn't marry-yourself to the idea of one specific species of parrot based on your interaction with one, individual bird, and that goes for any species...I think you'll be surprised that once you start interacting with different parrots on a regular basis, you're going to be drawn-into not a specific species of bird at all, but rather that you're going to fall in-love with individual birds, or maybe just one individual bird that captures your heart, regardless of their species, what they look like, etc...That's how most of the closest, extra-special bonds between an individual person and an individual parrot usually happen...just the same way that individual people end-up bonding with their close friends and their significant other...If you go out looking for a certain type of person to start dating, from a specific background, with specific interests, etc., it usually doesn't work-out...So keep an open-mind and just allow your birdy soul-mate to find you...
Also, be sure to go into each individual species forum and read the "stickies" at the top of each forum, as they contain tons of priceless information regarding each species, written by experienced owners of each species....And as always, ask lots and lots of questions! There's no such thing as a "stupid question" at all...
Welcome to the jungle!!!
the exception to this is the hybrids that are becoming common in Macaws and conures, etc.
