To get a cockatoo whilst owning an eclectus?

[Marie2345]

Hi all. Iv had my eclectus for a year now, he's the best thing Iv ever done. He has an amazing set up. His own room, an outdoor aviary, a huge play gym taking up a large portion of the livingroom. He brings me so much joy. Thing is, my dream bird was always a cockatoo but I was told not to by everyone as they are not 'beginner bird' ... as much as I love my eclectus I still obsess over cockatoos just as much as before. I know they are a whole different ball game but I'm 27 with my own home, in the country, no neighbours, work from home, financially stable, a home body and I have no intention on having kids either, though that isn't 100% of course. My eclectus likes other birds and his mate was a macaw before me. I was thinking maybe I could adopt an older cockatoo from a rescue and give it a second chance but I'm worried on the effect it might have on my 3YO eclectus as cockatoo's are so alpha. I also worry about how often and impulsively they self multilate, Iv read one day alone and bored can lead to this. My eclectus is quite independent and also toilet trained, he's never plucked, he's sassy as hell and I worry maybe a cockatoo is not an option for me now and maybe I should of just gone for it when I was birdless a year ago (not that I regret my eclectus I LOVE HIM) ... have I missed the chance to own a cockatoo and have a happy house hold? I must add I like the sulphur, umberella and salmon crested Thanks

 

[Shezbug]

I have a macaw cockatoo and a budgie- none of them are compatible, dusty birds should not be kept with macaws and the beak sizes being so different is just asking for problems if a little spat is to happen. I manage to keep them all without issue as I house the cocky outside, the macaw and budgie are inside but the budgie dust is much less than a cocky drops so I keep the Macaw and budgie on opposite sides of the house and vac and wet wipe frequently to remove the budgie dust and keep it at a minimum as well as keeping an air purifier in the macaws room- currently waiting on a second purifier.

Knowing a cocky and an ekkie have very different beak sizes and behaviours I think it’s best to house them separate and only allow time out together when you can fully supervise.

If you have the time and room as well as the flexibility and freedom to make changes when needed to where they live in your home etc I honestly can’t see an issue with you having your dream bird.

 

[Marie2345]

I have a macaw cockatoo and a budgie- none of them are compatible, dusty birds should not be kept with macaws and the beak sizes being so different is just asking for problems if a little spat is to happen. I manage to keep them all without issue as I house the cocky outside, the macaw and budgie are inside but the budgie dust is much less than a cocky drops so I keep the Macaw and budgie on opposite sides of the house and vac and wet wipe frequently to remove the budgie dust and keep it at a minimum as well as keeping an air purifier in the macaws room- currently waiting on a second purifier.

Knowing a cocky and an ekkie have very different beak sizes and behaviours I think it’s best to house them separate and only allow time out together when you can fully supervise.

If you have the time and room as well as the flexibility and freedom to make changes when needed to where they live in your home etc I honestly can’t see an issue with you having your dream bird.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience in keeping multiple difference species this has really helped. Luckily I do have a lot of spare room, Iv taken a lot of time to think about it and I think I'm going to hold off for now, I feel recently things have excelled with my boy and I don't want to stir the pot just yet. Thank you for the advice xxx

 

[Jayced!!]

To get a Cockatoo while owning an Eclectus is certainly possible and you haven't missed your chance!

With your worry of a Cockatoo disrupting your Eclectus, that's a fully valid concern, though I think it would be fine! You just have to make sure that your Eclectus isn't getting less attention than before and takes priority since he was there first! I have an Umbrella Cockatoo alongside 6 other birds and it works just fine! The biggest factor is making sure that you have the time commitment to give to both of them, and are able to supervise any interactions should they be out together. If these birds aren't particularly bird reactive then you shouldn't have an issue with putting them out on separate stands, just don't encourage direct interaction between the two of them due to the size difference. You DO need a good air purifier though as Cockatoos are very dusty. You can definitely have a happy household with both birds, and getting a second one doesn't necessarily mean your Eclectus will pluck.