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My Story
When I left home for college, I had to get rid of what I had left after having moved into town - my fish! I had 13 tanks! Four years after college I got married and went on for my master's degree. My wife and I made the mistake of going into a pet store that had baby cockatiels and bought one on the spot (Please don't do that. Do your research! It will pay off!). Back then I didn't know much about behavior training. I made the mistake of running to Petrie every time he screamed - a big NO NO! Well, as the story goes, he ended up with a screaming problem and my new bride made it very clear that she couldn't sleep with a screaming tiel in the other room. So we gave him to some bird people. After that experience though, I was hooked on birds. But I had
learned - I
began to do my research. I had wanted a bird
So, I began a mission to find a good breeder whom I could purchase my baby from. In the process of talking with people, I started to consider getting a Timneh Grey. I continued calling breeders and pet owners and kept running into a big issue for me: not wanting to purchase a bird that would only choose one member of the family and possibly not like anyone else. I didn't want that because my family was so young - 3 children under the age of 5. I couldn't have a bird that was going to only "choose" me. I wanted one that would be able to go to anyone in our family (including my wife, who is not a big animal lover!) After
many conversations with a variety of breeders and pet owners, some asked me if I
had ever considered an Eclectus. I didn't know much about them, so I began
researching them and talking to people about them. As with any pet, each They are typically thought of as a being a non-pair bonding species (which means that they don't pair, male to female, as strongly as say a Macaw, Cockatoo, or Grey), however, there are those birds out there that are choosy! They are typically not thought of as being "one person" birds, however some birds do seem to chose someone in the family that they prefer but it doesn't seem to be with the aggression that can be found in some of the other species.
They can be little "piggies" when it comes to eating! They are a joy to feed - because they actually eat! And unlike a Amazon who has a potential for getting overweight Eclectus typically do not. Male or female Eclectus make a great family pet. Females may take a little bit more understanding but still have the same pet potential. Eclectus are Matriarchal - which means that the female is the dominant gender in the species. This is different from Greys, Cockatoos, or Amazons who are Patriarchal - which means that the male is the dominant gender.
A properly raised Eclectus can be a fun-loving clown, can talk, and isn't
typically as demanding as They were described as being "cat-like" by some people. They enjoy watching the action around them and like to see what's going on, but don't necessarily feel the need to be in the middle of it! They are thoughtful and contemplative. Well, I took the plunge and have never regretted it! My initial desire was for one pet, and now I have 6 pair of breeders and I love it! For more information on how we raise our babies, go to: How we do things HomeEmail Me |
My beginning with birds began back when I was a kid.
I grew up on a farm with many different animals on acres and
acres of farm land. But of all of them, birds were always my passion and love. I had
ducks, geese, swans, budgies, cockatiels, peacocks, pheasants, quail, pigeons, a
Congo African Gray (that died of wasting disease two weeks after we got it!),
and any other wild bird that I could drag into the house!
that would talk (which I know
is a
poor reason to want a bird!). There are many Congo Greys out
there that don't talk, even though they have a REPUTATION for talking. But I was on
a mission. The kids and I went to many bird stores to look at and
experience the birds. I thought it
was a quaker that I wanted because of its small size, talking ability, and
parrot-like qualities.
person has their own opinion, but a general consensus among them was Eclectus
make wonderful pets! Here is some information I have gathered from other
Eclectus owners and breeders and my own experience:
They are not cuddly like a Cockatoo. An Eclectus doesn't typically
mind being pet down the back and somewhat touched over their body but they generally do not like to have their feathers
ruffled. Now a cockatoo LOVES to have their head skritched and
rubbed and their feathers messed with.
some other species can be. They are inquisitive and loving but not in your
face like some other species can be. For some this is the "answer to their
prayers" but for others that like the in your face kinds they seem aloof.