New Bird

[geezer]

Hi. I just bought a baby, 3 month old, Eclectus female. I have never owned an Eclectus and I must admit I purchased her just because of her bright colors. The breeder said that she was traumatized by some small boys the week before. At the time, I thought I could handle getting bitten several times every day, but I'm beginning to think I may be doing something wrong! I feed her warm oatmeal every night and she comes to me and sits on my hand while she eats. But the rest of the time, she lunges at me and will draw blood. Help!!!

[GlassOnion]

She's biting because she does t want to be touched. Did you know that Ekkies are one of the rare species that do NOT like to be touched in general? Give her time; she's a wild animal, not a dog. I would slowly approach her and LEARN LEARN LEARN to read her body language. Don't try to touch her; instead, talk softly to her and take everything slow.

Please read www.landofvos.com It's an entire site dedicated to the Eclectus, and it should be a bible for Ekkie owners.

As for diet, you should be feeding her 70% fresh, prepared/cooked meals. You really should have done your research before purchasing, as Ekkies have VERY specialized diets and develop serious health problems if they consume any artificial ingredients. That means, no pellets with color, preservatives, even vitamins.

[xxgoldieloxroxxx]

Congrats on the new bird! They really do have beautiful colours eh?
Give her time, let her become used to you, because she's been abused in the years, it will probably take YEARS or 1 to gain her trust. Read her body language (learn it), and have fun with her!
She should come around someday, just make sure you feed her, give her treats when supposed to, and all should go good!
Don't ask me for food advice though, I don't know a Eclectus's diet....

[sidech]

Congrats on your purchase ! Make sure you read all you can about Ekkies, they have specific needs and traits, but they are good companions.

You can also check out this forum : http://eclectusparrots.net/forum/

And make sure you subscribe to Laurella Desborough's daily letter (google her name, you'll find it). She's a worldwide authority on Eclectus.

READ, READ, and read again.

As Onionglass said, Eclectus do not naturally like being petted. This is something they have to learn and even then, it will be on their terms.

I got my male at 4 months old. He bit me for at least 3 weeks. It was out of fear. He has not bitten me since. He " feels me " with his beak a lot, but not to hurt.

I would say let her come to you when she's ready. Talk to her, sit next to her and read outloud, sing, do whatever you like, but don't force yourself on her. She should want to be near you real quick !

Ekkies really like to be with people, even if it's not to be petted, they need company. Mine will sit on my shoulder all through a movie. He flies to me when the movie starts and stays there the whole time. He follows me around the house as well. He's almost 10 months old now.

Take your time, that's your best advice.

Good luck !

[SimseySyd]

I have an 11 year old Ekkie, which absolutely loves to be hugged and loves bird kisses, but I'm not sure if its because we had him when he was being handfed. However he certainly has gone through some phases where he is so temperamental and bites. It wasn't that bad until I got my Amazon and he got super jealous that he wasn't the center of attention anymore. He bit me really hard (like a couple stitches worth) because I had been playing with my amazon. Then I went away to school and when I came home he would lunge at my feet because he has mad that I left. Now he has bonded with my mom a bit more than me and has stopped the biting. He now lets me hold him, play with him, and he even sleeps on my pillow next to me sometimes. They are very emotional, but through it all I don't regret getting an eclectus and I love my little Joybaby to pieces. What I can say is that food is definitely a great way to get on their good side, especially corn (he loves thanksgiving when he gets a whole ear of steamed corn hehe). As the others said read up on them and I'm sure you and your Ekkie will have a loving (at least less painful lol) relationship.

[geezer]

It's been just over 3 weeks and things have finally turned around. I have been feeding her warm oatmeal from a spoon shaped like a parrot's beak every evening just before bedtime. For the last 2 nights, she has come to the cage door and waited for me to hurry up. Then she willing stepped up on my finger and sat there while I fed her. We are both learning to trust. I don't try to touch her and she doesn't bite me. She will let me kiss her head and beak and when she isn't in her cage, she is very friendly. Hopefully she will learn that I don't intend to hurt her and she will accept me.