Sun conure or Eclectus?

[Terry57]

I am faced with a hard decision. I have always wanted an eclectus. A friend of mine had one several years ago and I adored him and have wanted one ever since. I have been actively searching for one for a long time, but it hasn't worked out for one reason or another. So yesterday we went to a pet shop I don't usually go to for perches, and they have the most adorable Sun conure there who is desperate for attention and a forever home. They have had him for 8 months. He was going crazy when we were paying attention to him, and he really broke my heart. I had a Sun many years ago and loved him so much. My problem is that I only have room for 1 more bird. I couldn't even sleep last night as I couldn't stop thinking about this little conure. The second problem is that the pet shop wants $300.00 more for him than the most expensive pet shop in town wants for their Sun, who is younger. But the cheaper, younger one is not the one who picked us
What I'm having trouble with is if I get the Sun, I have to give up my eclectus dream.
Has anyone else felt like they were picked by a bird?Does anyone have any advice?

 

[knacky]

I have a similar problem. We were looking at birds at the big name pet store and there was this sad little jenday conure that walked up to us from the back of his cage. His tailfeathers were all rumpled and plucked, he kept trying to kiss us. He danced for us a little, chewed a piece of wood off of his toy and tried to give it to us. But he was six hundred dollars! He's what made me realize I wanted a parrot...

My advice is, if you have the money, you should get him. That's definitely what I would do if I could.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Don't give up on your dream, Terry. If the Ekkie is the bird of your dreams, I would pursue that dream - relentlessly. One WILL come along!

 

[Terry57]

Thank you for your replies. Am now trying to figure out if we could maybe fit just one extra cage in the room That way I could do both (which is what my husband is figuring on)

 

[baron1282]

If you get both you would love both. Plus your Sun will have a friend to talk to when your not around.

I understand where your coming from. I want a Scarlet winged Macaw and everyone tells me that they are not the best Macaws to start with. I should get a Green Winged Macaw first, but I only want one Macaw and if it's going to be only one, than I will get the one that I really would like to own and have as a friend. If you buy the Sun you might regret it and not give it all the love and attention it needs because you really wanted an Eclectus. If I got a green wing, I am sure I would love it but deep down I would always want a Scarlet Wing Macaw. I love the Scarlet Winged personality, I like how it can be fussy and a pain at times and at other times can be the most loving bird you can ever own. I just like a personality like that in a bird, my Pineapple Conure is the same way, he is loving but at times just fussy and a pain. I love him because of his personality.

So if you really can not afford two birds, or it's not a money issue, just a time issue. I would go with the Eclectus! The Sun will find a good home. If you end up trying to save every animal you will go nuts. I wish I could give every animal in the world a good home, because its sad to see one that is abused or not getting the attention it needs, but than I got to realize if I do that I can't give all the love and attention to the animals I already have. We can't save every animal, the best we can do is give the animals we do have the best care we can provide.

What gender Ecletus do you want? I like the Red Ecletus which I believe is a female. I am sure there is many different types of Eclectus out there, but the ones I am familiar with is the Red Female and the Green Male.

 

[Terry57]

I called and spoke with the manager at the pet store that has the Sun, and he hasn't been there as long as the other person told me he had. She said she could knock off the taxes on him, but that the price includes the vet check he has already had plus another one right after purchase. I am so glad that I am not alone in wanting to take every bird that needs a home! The money part really isn't the main issue, nor is the problem time. I am retired and home every day. My main issue is space in my birdroom! With all the playpens and cages that we have in here, it's hard to figure out where to fit more in. I do have a wall with a flight of my finches in here that could be moved somewhere...
You all have given me much food for thought and I appreciate that!
I always thought I wanted a male Eclectus, but I would certainly take a female as well.
I totally understand holding out for your Scarlet if that's what you always wanted

 

[Squirt]

I say get the sun! And the Eclectus! My sun picked me, too.

 

[bob1]

Go for broke... If you really like both make it work! You can't hold out forever...

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Seems now like they are both your dream birds. But, I like to think there is a reason you ran in to this Sun when you did. You could just as easily ran in to a Sun that didn't want anything to do with you, or one that had "SOLD" on the door, or no new bird at all. But.... that's not what happened. You already seem to have a place in your big heart, so you'll be able to find room in your home.

As for the price, even though you mention it isn't abou the $$$, it would be good to point out to the manager the price of the local competitors and that this bird might be there for many more months, which means he might not be as saleable if he starts having problems from living like that. This might help them in pricing their future parrots so that they will find buyers more quickly and get them the heck out of the big box store life sooner.

Whatever choice you make will be the right one as long as you are happy with it.

 

[Terry57]

Well, I have made a decision. It is -18C outside, and just getting colder until Thursday, when it raises to a balmy -5C
We are going back to the pet shop on Thursday, and if all goes well with more interaction with him, I am going to get him. There is always a way, and I will just have to shuffle some of the smaller guys to the upstairs bird room.
I also feel that there must be a reason that I ran into this little guy, and if it is meant for me to have him, he will still be there on Thursday when it would be easier on him for travel
Nope, definitely couldn't hold out forever!

 

[Squirt]

So happy for you! Yay! Post photos when your new baby comes home.

 

[Terry57]

Will definitely do that! Just hoping that I can hold out until Thursday

 

[Crazyformybaby]

I had the same issue.... My husband wanted me to start off with a smaller bird since I am a beginner but I really wanted a sun conure. The moment I went to a chicken breeder for my grandfather and she had a sun I have been researching and decided to go with my dream!!! Eclectis parrots are beautiful and if they are your dream then go for it, but also try and fit in the sun conure because it seems as though he has really chosen you. Do not do something that you may regret later on. You only live once