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Eclectus
Eclectus
Eclectus parrots are beautiful, intelligent parrots that make wonderful companions. They are known for their quick learning abilities and can even mimic human speech if trained and socialized properly. These birds love to engage with their owners and thrive on human interaction.
Common Species
Red-sided (Eclectus roratus polyhloros), Vosmaeri (Eclectus roratus vosmaeri), Grand (Eclectus roratus roratus), Solomon Island (Eclectus roratus solomonensis).
Origin/Habitat
Australia, New Guinea, Moluccas Islands and Solomon Islands.
Social and Affectionate Companions
Eclectus parrots are intelligent, gentle birds that are welcome members of the family due to their tranquil nature. Their beautiful colours, talking abilities and lovable and sociable personalities have quickly established this bird as one of the most popular pet parrots. Affectionate and caring, Eclectus parrots cherish the time they spend interacting with their families and bond extremely well with their owners. If you’re looking for a feathered companion that will cuddle with you, then this is the ideal parrot for you.
Depending on the species or subspecies, Eclectus parrots are native to Oceanic regions that support a tropical rainforest environment such Australia, New Guinea, Moluccas Islands and Solomon Islands.
While there are at least 9 species of Eclectus presently recognized, the 4 most commonly kept as pets, include Red-sided, Vosmaeri, Grand as well as the smallest, Solomon Island.
Eclectus parrots have an average lifespan of 30 to 40 years although they can live longer.
Physical Description
Until the early 20th century, the male and female Eclectus were considered different species. This is due to their unique sexual dimorphism, which manifests in a distinct color difference between the male and female. Males are characterized by their bright emerald green color, with red under their wings and along the sides of their body. Their lower mandible is black, while the upper mandible is bright yellow/orange.
Females, on the other hand, are predominantly blue, maroon, and red. A fully mature female’s upper and lower mandibles are black.
Eclectus parrots are medium-sized, with an average measurement of 14 inches. Their feathers are distinct from other parrot species, making them truly unique.
Health Booklet
Keeping track of bird health by recording their growth, development, behavior and environment in a booklet can help ensure that your companion parrot will be healthy and happy for many years to come.
Sex
Eclectus Parrots, regardless of species or subspecies are sexually dimorphic. They are considered to be the most sexually dimorphic of all parrot species, with males and females sporting completely different feather coloring.
Personality Traits & Behaviours
Eclectus parrots are known for their sociable and intelligent nature. They have a reputation for being peaceful, calm, and kind creatures. These birds are highly affectionate and thrive in social environments. They value the time they spend with people and enjoy being around others. Eclectus parrots are highly perceptive and can become upset if they feel neglected or ignored.
Noise Level/Speech/Song
While Eclectus parrots can have a loud and distinctive voice they generally do not scream often. Most Eclectus will become excellent talkers with a very clear voice. They will also learn to imitate sounds and whistles.
Intelligence & Learning
Eclectus parrots are renowned for their boundless energy and require plenty of space to stay active and engaged. Providing a secure, spacious play area that allows them to climb and play is essential. As social birds, they thrive on interaction with their owners and household members. Positive human interaction not only keeps them entertained but also prevents behavioral issues like feather plucking. To keep your Eclectus parrot happy and healthy, consider taking them along on small excursions, such as trips to the pet store.
Threats/Conservation
With extreme habitat loss, Eclectus parrots are actively fighting for the few available nest sites. The threats facing the Eclectus parrots are numerous, and conservation efforts are necessary to protect this species.
Relationship with Humans
Eclectus parrots are popular pets due to their friendly and sociable personality. These birds have a remarkable ability to bond with their owners, and they crave human interaction. They are known for being remarkably intelligent and inquisitive creatures with a charming personality.
However, like humans, Eclectus parrots require time and patience to build trust and establish a strong bond. Merely providing food and shelter is not enough; instead, love, care, and understanding are necessary to form a meaningful relationship with these intelligent creatures.
Care
The general rule of thumb when buying a bird cage is to buy the largest cage you can afford. For optimum health and safety, the cage should be at least two and a half times the width of the birds’ wingspan in all directions. Cage bar spacing should never be so wide that your bird could stick his head through, and his tail feathers should not be able to touch the bars when he is perched comfortably. Also consider your bird’s beak strength to determine the proper gauge of the bars as some birds have been known to bend the bars and escape.
A rectangular cage with horizontal bars in which your bird has plenty of room to climb and play is the best environment for your parrot. Your parrot will be happiest in a well-ventilated room with as much natural light as possible, yet away from direct sunlight and drafts. Your bird will want to be part of the action but not right in the middle of it. Avoid placing your bird’s cage in the kitchen as there are many hazards including vapors from heated PTFE coated pans (PTFE is better known as TeflonTM), hot stoves, pots of boiling water, and cooking fumes all of which can be very harmful to your bird. The cage and accessories should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected weekly. Make sure your bird stays healthy by providing them with fresh food and water every day. Don’t forget to wash their dishes daily!
Time out of the cage every day for socialization and exercise is important. Parrots enjoy supervised activities on a play gym loaded with their favorite toys and enrichment food. Make sure he does not have access to open doors or windows, toilets with the lid up, hot stoves, moving ceiling fans or large panes of glass. It’s also a good idea to ensure he does not chew on or ingest anything unsafe such as treated or painted wood or unsafe house plants. Do not keep your bird in a room where sprays such as perfume, hair spray, air fresheners or aerosol sprays are used frequently.
For the safety of your beloved parrot, we advise against leaving them unattended with other pets like dogs, cats, or ferrets.
When it comes to feeding your Eclectus, there are countless opinions to consider. Here’s what we believe: a high-quality extruded diet – such as Tropican – serves as the foundation of your parrot’s diet, while other healthy enrichment foods provide welcome variety.
Pelleted bird food is the ideal source of nutrition to keep your parrot healthy. However, it’s important to offer variety, too, gourmet seeds, dried fruits, vegetables, and nuts (such as Tropimix), beans, and fresh fruits and vegetables all provide essential nutrients and diversity to your parrot’s diet. Sensible, healthy table foods such as cooked pasta, rice, hard-boiled eggs, multigrain toast, and unsalted crackers can also serve as treats in small amounts.
It is crucial to avoid unhealthy people foods. Never feed your parrot chocolate, alcohol, caffeine beverages, or avocado as even small amounts can be toxic. Salty or sugary foods should also be avoided. Check out our feeding recommendations for most parrot species.
Of course, fresh water every day is very important too. Remember to wash and refill your parrot’s water bowl daily to keep your bird healthy and happy.
Many bird owners will cover the bird cage at night to help block out extra light and to provide a setting of security. A cover can also keep the cage warmer (for those living in colder climates).
Your bird’s sleep cage should be outfitted with a comfortable perch placed at the highest level possible to provide security and maintain healthy feet. If your bird is prone to night terrors or you don’t use a cage cover, consider installing an infrared basking light or small night light in the room. Keep in mind that parrots need 10-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep for optimal health.
Improperly sized or dirty perches contribute to Pododermatitis or Bumblefoot. Offer your bird at least three types of perches appropriately sized for his feet: cotton or sisal rope; natural wood perches-with a variety of diameter. Make sure the perches are the right size for your bird’s feet. You should add natural branches to the cage to supplement the standard perches. Fresh branches are great for perching and chewing. Opt for branches like willow, alder, ash, birch, or apple, but replace them every 4-6 weeks and remove the leaves.
To ensure your bird’s safety and comfort, it’s crucial to keep their perches clean. If you use cotton or sisal rope for perches, regularly inspect them for any signs of fraying or loose strands. Due to normal wear and tear, perches will often need to be replaced. If you use a grooming perch, avoid placing it at the highest level of the cage or near food and water dishes.
Eclectus parrots are notorious for their affinity for toys. When considering toys for your feathered friend, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Look for toys that are durable, suit your bird’s size, and promote enrichment. To avoid boredom, rotate their toys every week or two. If you’re unsure which toys are appropriate, check out the Smart Play and Active Play toys for recommendations tailored to your bird’s size and requirements.
Consistent positive behavior training is a great way to bond with your Eclectus parrot. It’s best to start training as early as possible and begin with basic commands, such as “step up” and “step down”. Use positive reinforcement techniques and praise to encourage good behavior. Training your bird on a stand with a favorite treat is an excellent way to utilize time away from their main cage.
Introducing your parrot to new situations is key in preventing fear and aggression towards strangers. Socialize your parrot by exposing them to different people, environments, toys, and foods. The more varied experiences your parrot has, the more comfortable and well-adjusted they will be.
Daily bathing is essential to the health of your bird. Bathing moisturizes nasal passages and feet and keeps your birds’ feathers and skin in excellent shape. Eclectus parrots will often bathe on their own if opportunity is available. If your bird is reluctant to bathe on his own, you can use a spray bottle with warm water to gently mist him or use a shower perch. Be sure to remove seeds or pellets from the cage before misting as damp food can grow mold and bacteria. Always bathe your bird early in the day and let him dry naturally in a draft free area.
While it’s up to you whether or not to trim your parrot’s flight feathers, many owners opt to do so. Trimming is a painless process, similar to a regular haircut, and should be done twice a year during the bird’s moulting period. Regular toenail inspections and grooming are also necessary. It’s important to have a professional bird groomer handle the trimming of your bird’s nails and wings to avoid accidentally cutting a blood feather if you’re not experienced. Keep in mind that trimming wings is not a guaranteed way to prevent flight, as even one or two grown-in feathers can give your bird flight ability. Therefore, never take your bird outside unless they are in a secure cage or wearing a properly fitted bird harness.
It is important to provide parrots with a safe environment to ensure the longest lifespan. The following is a list of common household dangers: Non-stick surfaces (like TeflonTM coated pans), oven cleaner and self-cleaning ovens, cigarette Smoke, paint and paint fumes, scented candles, household cleaners, floor polish, hairspray, chlorine bleach, perfume, aerosol sprays, nail polish and nail polish remover fumes and ingesting harmful or toxic house plants. It’s important to make sure everyone in the household is aware of food and other products in the home that are potentially toxic to parrots, such as avocados, chocolate, coffee beans, onions, salt, and fruit seeds or pits. Ceiling fans, cupboards, blinds, and open doors and windows can also pose a risk as your pet may fly into, get trapped or simply fly away.
Birds are notorious for concealing signs of illness, so it’s crucial to monitor any slight changes in your bird’s health or behavior. If you are an Eclectus parrot owner, it’s recommended to schedule an annual checkup with a veterinarian for a comprehensive evaluation and preventive health care plan. Some veterinarian practices specialize in treating birds and exotic pets (referred to as avian or exotic vets). While some clinics can provide routine bird appointments, they may refer you to a certified avian veterinarian for more complex cases. Consulting with an avian veterinarian is a valuable resource for obtaining advice on appropriate health care for your beloved bird.
Availability in the Pet Market
Most Eclectus parrots can be obtained from an avian specialty shop, pet dealer, or a reputable breeder. Online adoption organizations and rescues can also be a viable option for those looking to adopt an Eclectus Parrot.
Aviculturists have had high success in creating a blue mutation of Eclectus Parrot with the males featuring a light blue where they would normally be green and female with a light grey, almost white head.
Aviculture
Breeding Habits
Eclectus parrots begin nesting between July and January, once they reach maturity at around 2-3 years old. Typically, their nests are located deep inside tree trunks and are lined with soft, decayed wood matter. Each clutch usually consists of 3-4 eggs. In an aviary setting, the nest boxes are usually at least 50 cm (20 inches) deep, and the pairs will usually lay 3-4 eggs per clutch. Eclectus parrots may have multiple clutches per year, given the ideal conditions.
Hatchling to Fledgling
Most aviculturists catering to the pet bird trade prefer to have parent birds raise their young for about two to three weeks before beginning hand feeding. Breeding parrots should be in optimal health and receive proper nutrition to support the needs of both the “expectant” parents and the nestlings. Tropican High Performance 4mm, 8mm, Sticks and Tropimix Small & Large Parrot are excellent options, as well as vegetables and fruits high in beta-carotene to meet the nutritional needs of breeding parrots. Adding Prime Vitamins to the diet can also benefit breeding pairs on a predominately seed-based diet.
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Enhance Your Pet Bird’s Life Skills
If you’re looking for a way to help your pet bird thrive, look no further than the Early Parrot Education Program. This program provides birds with essential life skills that will make them excellent companion animals.