4 smaller birds, 2 children and a timenh grey or eclectus?

[chris key]

I have a black capped conure, a cockatiel, a parrotlet, and a budgie. I also have 10 and 12 year old kids. My kids are very involved with the birds and I love that. I have been thinking about getting a timneh grey lately. I was advised by a fellow bird group member that an eclectus would be a better fit. Does anyone have smaller birds and kids and a grey? We are a very busy, loud household. Should I stick with conures??

[GlassOnion]

Greys are complete Chameleons of their environment. I know many owners with greys who live in a busy household, and their bird loves it! It's all about early on socialization and exposure to various environments.

Timnehs are known to be a bit more goofy in comparison to Congos, but even then it's all about how you bring up the bird. If you've read that greys only like quiet environments, that's false because I know many people who can vouch for their family-oriented grey. They respond awfully if there's constant negative energy and fighting in the household, but will join in on the energy if the home offers a happy loud environment.

[StBernard]

I'd definitely go for a Timmeh. Ive had Greys and Eclectus and Greys are the nicer bird IMO. Timmehs especially are much more an 'everyone' bird in comparison to a CAG. The reason breeders don't usually rehome Eclectus til after weaning is because they can be a nightmare to hand feed. Ive seen many baby Eclectus and had them, and would pick a Grey over one any day.
If you Do go for an Ekkie, do not get a female. Not if you have kids. They are the more aggressive of the two. You need a bird you can trust and myself, nor any breeder or owner I know trusts their female Ekkie 100%.

[pchela]

I second the Timneh Grey suggestion and have no idea why anybody would suggest an Eclectus as a better fit for your household. Aside from general personalities, Eclectus also required a specialized diet. A well socialized Timneh is a joy. I have one and she is so sweet and will go to anybody. That's not true of all Timnehs of course, but work with the bird when it gets home, have everybody interact with it and give it treats etc.

[chris key]

Thankyou for all your responses. On saturday we picked up a 6 year old timneh from a classified ad. I answered a couple other ads and the descriptions of the birds didnt feel right. We drove 2 hours with the attitude that we may be going home empty handed. Even though he lived in not ideal conditions he stepped right up to my husband and I, and on gut instinct we took him. Well he has been great. He puts his head down for my kids to scritch him. Steps up for all of us once out of the cage. Some issues getting him out of the cage but hopefully I will figure that out. Has not bitten even when my husband had to pry each toe off of our curtain rod! I had his nails and wings trimmed yesterday so that won't be a problem anymore. Now if I can get the dirty ash tray smell off of him....

[zazanomore]

Glad to hear he's in a better home.