Home » Bird Forums » Birds Of A Feather » Psittacula » What are Alexandrines like as pets?
Posted by Vankarhi on Mon, 11/07/2005 - 22:48 :: Psittacula
I am considering another bird to add to my "flock". I was considering a male ekkie until my galah died. Then thought about another cockatoo. so I am tossing between a sulfer crested (which I have owned before) a rose breasted 'too (my girl passed away just over 2 months ago) a major mitchell, a male ekkie or an alexandrine.

What are they like as pets. My reading tells me that they are similar to ekkies in as much as they do not like to be patted or "loved" like a cockatoo. But skye loves to sit with me so I assume an Alex would be similar. I have read they are extremely intelligent and good talkers. So would they be easy to train tricks (I am learning clicker training and have taught skye some simple tricks already). Are they good talkers? I realise all birds are individual, but I know that some birds are better at some things than others etc etc. Just trying to get some info from people who already own them as pets.

Thanks in advance
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Posted by JMK-Yoda on Tue, 11/08/2005 - 12:19.
I have a friend that has an alexandrine, that is very friendly and talks well. I would say they are very quite intelligent.

Murray NZ
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Posted by Vankarhi on Wed, 11/16/2005 - 17:21.
well I am bringing my dna sexed little boy home tomorrow. I am travelling 2 hours to go and get him (one way). He is about 9 weeks old and his dna certificate came back on Mon/Tues. I am going to name him Kumar (Koo Mar - which is indian for boy/son). I just hope my ekkie doesn't hate him. He will have his own cage, but it would make a nice change to have the birds at least tolerate each other.

cya
Tracey
Qld Australia
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Posted by JMK-Yoda on Wed, 11/16/2005 - 18:53.
Congratulations Tracey. I am expecting a picture any time now

Murray NZ
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Posted by NateW on Thu, 11/17/2005 - 21:16.
Cool, congratulations on your new bird!

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA
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Posted by jtholley03 on Thu, 11/17/2005 - 22:43.
They are sweet! My wife and friend would tell you different but they are. I had a female ten years ago named Cybil. I also had a Hahn's Macaw at the time. I was in another room and my friend asked does "he" bite. I said no thinking he was talking about Emmit the Hahn's. i had prefaced this by saying don't act scared - he doesn't bite and I don't want to teach him. I hear him say "OUCH this really hurts. Can I take my hand away". I said no what are you talking about? I walk in to find Cybil hanging from his finger by her beak. I felt bad. Anyway she was a sweet bird but the person before me had pretty much taught her to bite. I had no problems with her but she could spot the weak ones.

I think this write up describes them well:

http://www.wendysparrots.com/html/alexandrines.html
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Posted by Vankarhi on Fri, 11/18/2005 - 01:41.
well here is my beautiful little man. He is asleep now, he has had a big day driving in the car and getting settled with my "family" - the dogs checked him out and so did Skye.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y125/Vankarhi/Kumaronwayhome.jpg

cya
Tracey
Qld Australia
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Posted by JMK-Yoda on Fri, 11/18/2005 - 03:05.
your little man looks really nice, Tracey. Thanks for sharing a photo of him.

Murray NZ
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Posted by Vankarhi on Fri, 11/18/2005 - 03:29.
no problemo, I love to share/bragg

cya
Tracey
Qld Australia
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Posted by Vankarhi on Thu, 01/12/2006 - 16:15.
Ok thought I had better update. I had to take my Kumar back to the breeder as he had a deformed beak. I took him to 2 vets, the second one an avian vet and they both said the same thing "take him back and get your money back or a replacement bird." Needless to say I was devastated. The AV trimmed his beak and it is definetly a procedure in Kumars case that I am unable to learn how to do. It was not a simple beak trim and he would need it done on a regular basis. He had to be sedated and the entire procedure took around 20/30 mins. I now have a 13 week old female alexandrine from the same breeder. I took her home with me the day I gave Kumar back (with a heavy heart) but I finished raising her and she has been with us since she was 6 weeks old.

cya
Tracey
Qld Australia
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