Delimma: Blue Front Amazon or Eclectus

[mtdoramike]

I have a tad of a Delimma here: If you had to choose between a 9 year old Blue Front Amazon and a 3 year old Eclectus, which would you choose and why?

[parrotsareyay]

Amazon, both can bite pretty hard and amazons have really bad hormones compared to others, but most Eclectus's HATE cuddling, or only tolerate. Amazons also seem so comical . Both seem to be mature, so starting young isn't a problem

[SimseySyd]

I happen to have both and can say I love them both to pieces!

My blue fronted amazon is hardly ever aggressive, except this weekend at the vet he bit her pretty hard, and actually has only bitten me once where it broke the skin. He isn't very cuddly, but lets me scratch his head every once in a while and loves bird kisses. My amazon is a silly clown sometimes and is a chatter box (they scream pretty loud). He can step up and be handled by other people, but if you try to touch him he can get a bit nippy. Its hard to admit but he is my favorite, but that could be because he likes me more than anyone else.

People say that eclectus don't like cuddling, but my little guy loves hugs and kiss and will occasionally sleep next to me at night. I think this may be because we got him when he was still hand feeding. However, he has chosen my mom as his mate and if she is around, he gets in extra territorial mode. He will bite with the intent to injure (gave me stitches once and has broken the skin multiple times). My eclectus has issues with plucking and it is something that is more prone to eclectus. Also, it is recommended that eclectus parrots have less pellets and more fresh fruits and veggies, so taking care of him is a little more work than my amazon. He talks and makes noise, but his vocal skills aren't as good as an amazon's (though he is so darned cute when he does talk).

I love both of them, but these are just my experiences. The bird's personality may be completely different than what is typical of their species. I recommend spending time with both and see which one suits you better.

[mtdoramike]

OK, Update: The owner of the Eclectus is going to bring her by Saturday for a visit and to see how we all get along. She also told me that if we decide to take Mac the Eclectus, she would like periodic updates on him and if for any reason, it didn't work out that she would gladly take him back and try and find another home for him.

So right now, there is no commitment between either party. If we like Mac and everything works out, then we can go and pick him up at her home and get his belongs and bring him home. If that does happen, I will quarantine both Mac and my Sennie Tiki for 3-4 weeks just to be on the safe side.

I feel a bit more comfortable here than I do with the Amazon. The amazon lived with a single woman for several years and is currently living with a single woman who is a friend of the owners. Although the owner says he doesn't seem to have issues with guys, he really hasn't been around guys that much I'm figuring. But with the 200 mile distance between us, there isn't much chance of meeting each other before hand. Once I say I'll take him, I'm commited at that point, which has to be done before she makes the drive up there to get him.

[liz]

I have 6 cockatiels and 2 lovebirds. They are preciouse and I love them dearly as they love me. They are sweet little babys and I would not give them up for almost anything.

On the other hand, I have a DYH Amazon, 20 years old, who is a charector in his own right. Like another individual in the family. He is mine but has attached himself to my daughter and spends a lot of time with my mother. He talks like a 6 year old and can hold a conversation.

This year I drove 300 miles to get a BF Amazon, Myrtle. I did not know her and she was a real challenge with the situation she came from. She is only a year old and is actually 2 year old human level. She repeats words, baby talks and plays until she falls asleep. She is cuddly and calls "Momma comeere" when she doesn't see me. She has recently become addicted to YouTube and lets me know when it is time to put t on.

These and budgies are the only birds I have had. So you could say I am partial to Amazons.

[SimseySyd]

I hope the visit with the goes well! Good idea to isolate the birds if you bring him home. Unfortunately the people at petsmart (where we got my amazon) didn't tell us a good time to keep them apart and it would be ok to have them in the same cage. The used to fight, so we had to get them separate cages. Now that its been about 6 years they get along and can play in the same area, but my amazon likes to be around the eclectus, when my ekkie prefers to be left alone. My amazon also has jealousy issues sometimes and screams if I take out my ekkie first.Overall I think, My ekkie tends to handle another bird in the house better than my Amazon.

[liz]

I have a tad of a Delimma here: If you had to choose between a 9 year old Blue Front Amazon and a 3 year old Eclectus, which would you choose and why?

Why do you have these to choose from? How didi you hear about them? What is their backround?

Amazons look at you strange because they are thinking. Adults are like 6 year olds who don't know not to stare. They could be thinking good thoughts about you or trying to decide which toy you will let them get away with destroying. Could even be wondering if you are going to give them a bite of the apple you are eating. Mine say "huh" when they are asking for their share.