I can't tell you about an Eclectus, but I do have experiences with other baby birds.  I know there are some people here with Eclectus, but I can only think of those with females. I do know of someone with a male Eclectus she got as a baby, and he has been a nice bird.  If there is no one in this community with a male, email me and I can help you contact this person, she would be happy to tell you about her bird. 

 

I don't think you can expect any bird, baby or otherwise, to be an outgoing, friendly bundle of feathers immediately.   Shyness would be normal.  Doesn't mean they aren't nice birds.  But they shouldn't be TERRIFIED of you after you have been around them for awhile.  When I got my younger Grey, I let the breeder handle him and his sister for a few minutes before I did.  They were both interested in me, not afraid.  If they learn to trust the breeder, they can transfer that trust to a new owner easily.  I just got a 3 month old Amazon, I had never seen him until someone brought him up to me.  In just one day, the bird had come to trust THAT person and flew away from me when I picked him up.  He flew to the other person, you would have thought they had been together for years!  But within just a few days of him being with me he began transferring his trust to ME and rather than trying to get away when I reached in his cage, he was eager to step up to be with me.  (Of course, it meant he would be OUT, but I was the means to that end.)  I raise hand-fed lovebirds.  They learn to trust me without question, and are quick to transfer that trust to other people. 

 

When they are handled in a gentle, loving manner as tiny babies, birds will transfer the trust and bonding to a new owner.  I'm not sure what you mean by "mean".  My Grey did get quite independent and testy around 7 months,until he was about 11 or 12 months.  My Amazon is showing signs of that independence battle coming up.  It's the transition from being a baby to an adolescent.  It's when they learn rules about life.

 

When you are considering the amount to save up for the bird, don't forget that a cage is going to be somewhere between $300 and $500 or even more, depending on what you get.  And factor in vet checks, toys, food.  I spend at least as much on food for just the 4 larger birds, as I do on my own food each week.

Howdy!  I bought a 3 month old SI 7 months ago.  He was a little shy, but for not being previously handled very much he was amazingly tame.  He has come out of his shell quite a bit.  He is now almost a year old.  He is soooo sweet and loving.  Loves to be part of the family.  I highly recommend these birds.  He is still a little leary of strangers, but I really don't have him exposed to alot of people.  Hope your quest for a SI has been a successful one!          Yvonne

Hi there!  I don't have a male, I have a little girl, but have been around a number of males...my Tiara's little "brother" was bought by one of my best friends, and another friend bought the other boy in the same clutch...

Ekkies, as a rule are a bit shy.  They will observe before making any kind of move in any given situation.  In all honesty, I had had my heart set on a boy, but fell head over heels in love with the 6 wk. old baby, that when the first red pin feather came out, it no longer mattered...and I am soooo happy it worked out the way it did.

I have not encountered any "mean" babies myself.  Also, most of the articles and such that I have read say that the SI's have the sweetest temperments of any of the ekkie species. 

I agree totally with you on letting the baby pick you! 

I got my little SI guy when he was almost 8 mo old, so I have no idea when the "mean" stage would be.  At the risk of sticking my neck out, I think that's baloney.  My Shannon is a shy guy, but a very gentle one.  I've only had him for 3 months now, so we're still in the trust-building stages.  Every bird is different, and mine isn't much on cuddles (he's just starting to rest on my chest a bit) so I don't push...the only time I've been able to hold him in a towel is after a shower, and then for maybe a minute before he gets squirmy.  But he loves to just hang out on my hand or arm and watch the world go by, so I take things in small stages (my arm gives out before his interest does).  If you have the time to wait, I'd say let the baby pick you.  And save LOTS of money for toys and treats!

 

Nancy

When the baby picks you it's very obvious. You shouldn't have a problem.

I'm going to expose my ignorance here, but those of you who have read and responded to my posts already know I'm very new at this!!!  :-)  How do you know when they pick you?  The only male SI I've met lets me hold him close to my chest and tastes me by nibbling on my fingers and he will nose my chin or my face with his little beak. . . which I respond to with a kiss on his beak (Is that bad that i did that?). . . does this little guy like me?  I met him yesterday. . . went back today and opened his cage and he stepped right up to come and visit. . . have I found my little guy?  The first one I've met?