First Parrot - Electus or African Grey

[maillet]

Hello everyone,

I have been doing a lot of research lately and am earnestly considering making the step to become a first time parrot owner. Although I had several questions I have been unable to find anything on around the web which I was hoping an experienced owner could help with for my decision.

For a parrot I am interested in the Speech Ability and Temperament, with Coloring third priority. I believe I have narrowed my choice down to an Electus or African Grey for their exceptional ability with regards to speech and their modest temperament compared to noise of an Amazon or Macaw.

Electus Questions:
1. Do these birds continue to learn new words readily throughout their entire lives? I read that an African Grey learns throughout its life while an Amazon and Macaw learn in the first 2 years. Is an Electus more like African Greys or Amazon birds in their ability to learn new words or behaviors?

2. What is the ordinary vocabulary for an Electus Parrot? I know an African Grey is roughly 300 on average with exceptional specimens like Alex learning up to 1700 words. I am seeking a bird with capacity for around 200 words (Basic day to day activities, and other interaction-based prompts).

African Grey Questions:
3. I read that of the two species an African Grey is considerably more "Noisy" and "Messy" than the more mild tempered Electus. Is an African Grey noisy to the point of being disruptive if it is not given enough attention? Is there as large a difference between the two's noise as I have read?

4. Based on what I have read, an African Grey appears to be a more loyal and affectionate bird. Is this a fair assessment compared to an Electus who from what I can tell are more comfortable with being alone? I want to ensure I make the right choice due to the length of a parrot commitment.

General Questions:
5. I live in Calgary, Alberta, CA. What is the general price range I should expect to pay for either a Electus or an African Grey parrot? Is the higher price from an experienced breeder worth its price?

6. What is the ideal age to obtain one of these birds? I would like to have an influence on raising the bird in terms of education, but due to my lack of experience would like one familiar with a human companion. This also relates to my initial question on the learning time of an Electus?

Which species do you all feel would be the ideal fit for my personality? My main reason to obtain a parrot is its ability for speech and intelligence. This narrows my choice down to about five species from what I have read. I would like a 'Quieter' and 'Cleaner' bird due to my lifestyle, but perhaps a bit ironically one who is Playful when I am in the general area which seems to denote an Electus?

As I said above, Speech Ability (Life-Long learning) and Temperament ('Indoor Voices' and Playful) are my main concerns. From what I gather the African Grey is superior with learning and Electus are superior with regards to temperament. Given these choices from what I have read, an Electus has lovelier coloring (in my opinion) which tilts my initial preference in favour of these parrots.

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In terms of space, I am a home owner who lives alone. I would be able to convert an entire spare room into a habitat with appropriate foliage and other essentials. The room is roughly 5 meters in length and 3 meters wide. The wonderful part is the full-wall glass window which receives a high amount of sunlight, while shielded from the colder weather during winter by a private thermostat.

In doing several rough estimates I believe I have roughly $3000 I could devote to an initial purchase of both the Parrot itself from a Breeder, the Habitat, and Toys or Food. Is this a reasonable price that I should expect to pay? How much is appropriate for each of the three areas of focus?

The fuller your response the more appreciated it would be. As I said, I have done a lot of research on the subject so a simple "Grey African", "Neither", etc would a reason is not helpful.

Thank you to everyone who is able to help me on this choice,

Edit: Oh my last question which is more of a curiousity is why are Electus mentioned so rarely compared to African Greys, Amazons, Macaws, Senegals, or Cactos? When I was searching for breeders in my area, only two of the 29 even delt with Electus. Are they difficult somehow?

[Michael]

In all honesty, it doesn't sound like a parrot is a suitable pet for you. Sorry.

[GlassOnion]

I personally prefer Greys because Ekkies have VERY specialized diets that if something goes wrong, you could have a bird with life-long health issues such as toe-tapping, plucking, toxicity, etc. Some problems are irreversible. They also have an incredibly loud, not-suitable-for-apartments screech that is apparently not used too often, but is something you need to consider. www.landofvos.com is a very good Ekkie website.

With proper socialization though, Ekkies are less likely to be phobic of new situations/people and are more adaptive. Greys, if unsocialized, may take life changes stressfully and start plucking. Either way, you need to make sure you socialize, socialize, socialize.

But the big thing is, some Greys and Ekkies never ever talk. What if you end up with one that doesn't ever talk, will you rehome it? If talking is important, I would suggest an older bird who already talks from Craigslist, or a rescue.

[maillet]

I will do a bit more research into the dietary information for Electus. Thank you. As for the speech I would be perfectly content adopting a young adult able to speak already, although I cannot find any information on whether Electus have a learning window like Amazons and unlike Greys.

What I like most about parrots is their intelligence overall and mimicry abilities. Speech is a great although there are other things I admire about these birds where I would be happy even if it never spoke. Behaviors, comfort levels, and temperment would be equally as important in my choice.

[marie83]

Why is it so important to you that the bird talks? Surely it's more important for the bird to be happy, healthy and mentally well balanced? Just to point out that even if you got a grey it is not guarrenteed to ever talk.

The other thing is although the room you talk of keeping him/her in is a good size, your going to need to reconsider I think if it has a purely glass wall which has direct contact with the sun. It will be all too easy for the room to overheat (that said I didnt notice where you are so summers may not be too hot there but remember the glass will intensify the heat).

No idea about prices etc as I'm in the uk.

[pennyandrocky]

i agree with micheal.but if your really serious i would get in touch with a rescue they will tell you everthing you need to know about both birds your interested in where if your going on breeder websites they are selling a product, not saying all breeders,but i did look up my cockatoo out of curiosity and the only thing they had right was the color and size.

[sidech]

If talking abilities are the main reason why you want a parrot, then you shouldn't get one !

Ekkies are loud, not at all suitable for appartment living. Even in a house, their calls can drive you nuts and pierce your ear. They eat fresh, so they make a BIIIIGGGG mess and they fling the food all over the walls. It becomes a dry collection of food in no time !

All parrots are messy, noisy and scream, that is 100% guaranteed. But talking ? You can never be sure, even with a Grey, an Amazon or an Ekkie.

You sound like you want a parrot to show off. When you care about an animal, it doesn't matter if they can do tricks or not. It's like saying I want a dog that can learn to jump into a fire loop... Who cares ?

Please don't get an Ekkie, you will regret it, they are wonderful birds who don't fit your lifestyle and most of all, they are messy and noisy living creatures.

[mtaylor1021]

Most people that want a talking bird have never lived with one before. After the bird says "Hello" or some other phrase for the 50th time in 5 minutes, it gets pretty old/annoying. It's no surprise that many talking birds know swear words, "be quiet", and "shut up."

[RedDragon1288]

Maillet, you should not get either species because you are not giving them the respect they desire. Each species is unique from the other and the fact that you show most focus on the talking ability of each species is one mistake that many people (who later re-home them) make. I glad you have done research but do not get any parrot species.

If you really want a parrot as a companion that is easy to take care of and a good talker, the Budgerigar is a good choice and one of the best talkers.

One last thing is I've never heard of a two year window period for any parrot to learn how to speak or learning anything new after the age of two. I know of an Amazon who is over 35 years of age who is learning how to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

[Sparky]

Hmm that's a little harsh and superior, Michael. Maillet, while new, obviously is fascinated and is doing his research before he commits to anything, which has got to be good. He's here, which is another step in the right direction.
The CAG is hands down one of the most desirable and 'up there' breeds which is probably why it's caught his curiosity. Yes neither are 'newbie' birds, but it's a little rude to say don't get anything.

Maillet if you are wanting something that has talking potential, please don't write off a cockatiel or budgie. Look them up on Youtube, there are some brilliant little guys on there! They are super clever, and not as destructive by far as the Ekkie or CAG.

Keep doing your research, look up on here about the reality of owning a parrot. There's a link somewhere to a really good blog post about the stark reality of having a cockatoo. It's quite eye opening. None of the romantic rubbish about them sitting quietly on your shoulder and only talking full sentences lol. Large parrots are really only for experienced owners.