Hello from CA, thinking about getting a male Eclectus

[jasonl]

Hello,

My name is Jason, I am thinking about making that life long decision, and getting a parrot. I have never owned a bird before. In the recent months I've overwhelmed myself with information and I have decided to go with a Male Solomon Island Eclectus

I'm in no rush, and I'd like to have everything setup before even taking the bird home. I've even yet to visit any parrot stores first hand to look at any. Now, since never been a bird owner before, is there anything you kind folks can advise me on?

There are a couple questions that come to mind; does anybody have experience with male eclectus' going through puberty? Do they get aggressive? I am terrified to death of their beaks (this should be a good thing right? ), meaning I will give their beaks total respect making sure my parrot and I are 100% comfortable continuing whatever it maybe we are doing. Also I have a 10yr old daughter who is very responsible and isn't a worry for me, BUT will this cause any potential issues with a male eclectus?

Thank You

[marie83]

Welcome to the forums.
Well done for doing your research before getting a parrot.
I do have a few comments on your post which may be helpful to you I hope but I'll have to come back later as I'm short on time atm. Just didn't want to read and run!

[Hammcd]

You may consider adopting a slightly older bird (maybe 5-6 yrs old) so that you dont have to worry about that problem. I am not exactly sure when the eclectus goes through puberty but i recently adopted a senegal who is 5-6 yrs old and it comforts me to know that more than likely she has already tormented someone else with that life change.

[pennyandrocky]

that is one of the best partsof adopting an older bird. i only went through it with my and it was pretty bad. most birds end up in rescues when they reach puberty.

[jasonl]

good point. I have been searching around and I've found a male S.I. that is 1yr old at an local exotic bird store. I contacted the manager and was told that he was never owned, should this be a concern of mine? I'm wondering why he was never taken home, maybe aggressive? I shall find out myself, I plan on paying the fella a visit either tonight or tomorrow.

[Eurycerus]

You'll find out when you meet him. I would be a little concerned that he hasn't been socialized and may have some issues, but it might be totally fine.

[sidech]

Personnally, I don't thinkit is a good thing at all to get an Eclectus if you are afraid of their beak. This will project an energy on the bird and your fear will be sensed. Down the road, at some point, you will have to discipline the bird, and this will interfere. The bird will take advantage of it and know exactly how to make you react and get what it wants.

It is a very bad idea to get a bird you are afraid of. Very. You need to find a specie whose beak you are not afraid of. You need to be able to picture yourself controling the bird in any situation you need to, for emergency purposes or practical reasons, for example.

I'll give you one example. My Ekkie noticed that if he screamed really loud in my ear, I startled (even though it was subtle). So for a while, until I found a way to stop the behavior, he amused himself by litterally making me have a heart attack anytime I would go near his cage... Why ? Just because it was fun ! It will be the same with scaring you. Just for fun. Just because you react. And because he can do whatever he wants.

Think about it. You need your parrot to be a specie you're very comfortable with.

[pionus]

+1 for the above.

[Eurycerus]

I'll give you one example. My Ekkie noticed that if he screamed really loud in my ear, I startled (even though it was subtle). So for a while, until I found a way to stop the behavior, he amused himself by litterally making me have a heart attack anytime I would go near his cage... Why ? Just because it was fun ! It will be the same with scaring you. Just for fun. Just because you react. And because he can do whatever he wants.

Think about it. You need your parrot to be a specie you're very comfortable with.

This is so true. Even though I'm not afraid of Nika hurting me she still manages to make me jump when she flies and attacks the bars when I visit her and she's in her cage. She thinks it's a blast to watch me jump. I'm trying to teach myself to not move but it's very instinctual for me to get startled. She also only does it sometimes so I can't prepare very easily. Annoying little beastie

All parrots can hurt you. It's just something you may have to deal with. I personally do have a little fear of getting bit, particularly because even a Senegal can cause permanent damage. I figure I can handle it though. I'm just saying that though I agree with the other people you may be able to work through the problem. I suggest you hang out with some parrots and see how you feel.

[jasonl]

great information.
Let me rephrase what I meant with I'm terrified of their beaks. My girlfriend has a blue mountain lori and he's awesome. We've gotten to know each other well.
At first, I was not knowledgeable about birds and did not go about introducing myself well, so yes I got bit, A LOT. Now I never jerked away or anything, I pretty much just took the pain with little to no physical/verbal reaction to the bite, I WOULD however, put him him down, or leave him alone when he would bite me. I've been bitten through all the ranges of force by him, he is much smaller though, he's "beaked" all the way to drawing blood from skin.
When I say terrified, I want to say that I will do my best to make sure all is well before moving forward with any training or taming, even if it means spending extra time to repeat the process to make sure I'M comfortable. It's not really that I'm scared to get hurt, it just that I'm scared to do something wrong to just bring him to a point where he WANTS to bite. I say this because I've never owned one myself, only been around others.

and FYI, I've since learn much about handling of birds, and the lori, Yoshi, and I are good friends, I can play and wrestle with him, I only DON'T put him on my shoulder coz he never wants to come down and never stops grooming my hair