They aren't typically one person birds. In the wild they live in large social groups. They are one of the few parrots that aren't monogamous and will breed with several flock members. Also brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles will help raise each other chicks. This makes them good for family's, in my opinion, because they don't typically go to just one person (will be more likely to bond to the whole household). They are also a breed where the females call the shots and the males are by nature submissive.
As far as being a threat to smaller birds. Well typically the Ekkies are laid back but any bird that is larger than another should be supervised. I wouldn't allow them out together unsupervised, especially if there is food out. Ekkies are food obsessed. Roc is Jekyll and Hyde when it comes to food. However with that said, both Rome and Roc are out unsupervised all day together sharing the same stands. They don't have any problems but he may be intimidated by her size. So I don't really have the exp. with an Ekkie being loose with smaller birds. When there is a size difference there is always the chance of mishaps, more because if something does happen it would be more severe due to just size difference.
As far as food their diet isn't really that hard. It seems it in the beginning but really its just a lot of fresh fruits and veggies (and lots of vita A). Honestly mine came to me wing flipping and would not eat a varied enough diet, so he is on an Ekkie specific pellet. There are other options out there. Ever since he was put on them the wing flipping stopped. His diet though is about 50% pellet, 50% fruit.
As far as being touched. I do know some like it. Mine doesn't tolerate it. By this I mean that he will bite you if you ignore his warnings. He is def not a cuddly touchy bird. The only time I can pet him is if he is nervous or just after a bath. Thats one of the reasons why I picked this species though, I did not need (nor want) another bird in the house that was physically needy. From what I've heard, the females tend to be more cuddly but still is usually on their terms.
I wanted a female but picked a male to complement Rome's submissive personality. Depending on the personality of your other birds or the structure of your house (and previous bird exp.) would determine whether female or male would be good. I wouldn't get a female if you've never had larger bird exp before. If you have a busy house: the females are right in the middle of the action, where the males typically like to be present but observing from the sidelines.
Ekkies have the same mimicking ability that a grey has. They are inquisitive and can seem shy by nature. They are also very independent. I love them and I think they are great birds to have. However if your wife is set on a GW, then you should accept the fact that you will one day have one. The Ekkies are awesome but completely different from a GW. Getting an Ekkie is not going to fulfill the need that she has for a GW. Good luck
. My two exhaust me at times. Don't discount the female. I know that the whole egg bound thing is scary but they really don't lay as much, as would say a Too. As long as you provide a high calcium diet it shouldn't be a problem. With a female as long as you keep the day light hours short and don't provide any where for them nest (like a hut, or box in the cage), oh and don't stimulate them or encourage breeding behavior, you shouldn't have a problem with egg laying. The only reason why I didn't get a female was because of how submissive Rome is. Her last home she was chased around constantly by a hahns macaw and I didn't want the same thing to happen here. Otherwise if Rome had a more forward personality I would have gotten a female instead.
