ECLECTUS PARROTS
The personality and appearance of the Eclectus is unique. It is intelligent, playful and entertaining, but also can be quiet and observant.
Its colors appear more vibrant than most parrot species, and its head and breast feathers look more like silky hair.
The Eclectus parrot is the best of everything that intrigues us about parrots.
Physical Features
Many parrots that are popular pets are of one genus but several species. Eclectus parrots, uniquely, are all of the same genus (Eclectus) and species (roratus).
Experts disagree on the amount of subspecies there are, as many as 10 have been recognized.
The four subspecies available in the United States are the Grand (E. r. roratus), Vosmaeri (E. r. polychloros), Red sided (E .r. polychloros) and Solomon Island (E. r. solomonensis).
The five not commonly available in the United States are the Macgillivray (E. r. macgill ivrayi), Aruensis (E. r. aruensis), Cornelia (E. r. cornelia), Riedeli (E. r. riedeli) and Biaki (E. R. biaki).
The Westerman s (E. r. westermani) is known only from taxidermic aviary specimens.
Distinguishing these sexually dimorphic birds is easy: Males are mostly brilliant green and females are mostly purple with red heads. Distinguishing one subspecies from another is a different story.
For the males, you would probably have to line them up next to each other and be very familiar with all their subtle differences to stand a chance at telling them apart.
The female subspecies are more easily determined, with the following guidelines:
The Vosmaeri female is readily identifiable by her daisy yellow tail band, the clear yellow 'V' in the vent area, and the absence of a blue eye ring.
The red sided and Solomon Island females can be identified by their cobalt blue breasts with a definite bib, rather than the gradual blending of the breast colors of the Vosmaeri female. Also, a ring of blue feathers surrounding the eye is an easy identification characteristic of the red sided and Solomon Island females.
The Grand female has neither the wide, clear yellow tail band of the Vosmaeri female, nor the solid red tail of the red sided and Solomon Island female, but rather a narrow tipping of dull yellow orange.
The Eclectus is considered a medium size parrot. The length of the commonly available Eclectus subspecies ranges 12 to14½ inches and the wingspan is from 2 to 2½ feet.
Weight ranges are tricky because the sizes and weights of the different subspecies can overlap. It is more realistic to use a general weight range based on an average of the combined weights of all the available subspecies. The average weight of the adult male Eclectus is 430 grams with a range of 388 to 524 grams.
Housing Requirements
Cages should be as large as customers can afford and comfortably fit into their homes. In this case, a minimum of 30 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 36 inches high.
Outgoing birds will enjoy living directly in the traffic pattern that brings family members and friends by the cage throughout the day. More introverted birds should be placed away from the main traffic pattern where they can observe the activity of family and friends while maintaining enough private space to feel safe and secure.
Eclectus enjoy destroying softwood toys, manipulating handheld toys and meeting the challenge of a toy with a treat trapped inside. Advise customers to place spiral perches, swings and ropes around the cage to encourage exercise.
Dietary Needs
A varied diet is the key to a healthy Eclectus.
Start with a commercially manufactured diet of pellets and add plenty of juicy fruits, vitamin packed vegetables, leafy greens, sprouted seeds, dry seeds, nuts and cooked carrots and sweet potatoes.
An ongoing myth is that Eclectus parrots need extra vitamin A in their diets. They don't need more vitamin A than other parrots, but rather enough of it. This can be supplied by a balanced diet that includes colorful fruits and vegetables.
If we choose the most colorful foods like deep green kale, collard and dandelion greens, bright yellow and orange pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, papaya and red peppers, Eclectus can convert the natural beta-carotene content of these whole foods into sufficient vitamin A to maintain health.
Pet Behavior
A socialized, handfed Eclectus will be a much better pet than one that is parent raised.
It is recommended that an Eclectus only be sold if it is completely weaned. This occurs at about 3 months of age, give or take a few weeks.
Reports are mixed on whether males or females make better pets. It can depend on the subspecies, the parents' personalities and how the chicks were raised, so it is best to get to know an individual bird before matching it with an owner.
Eclectus are generally calm and quiet.
They can get louder during breeding season, repeating a high-pitched screech if they feel threatened. These vocalizations occur mainly at dusk.
Eclectus parrots can be exceptional talkers when frequently spoken to and included in daily activities.
A bird that gets lots of interaction will copy many different words and phrases. They will also learn to mix and match words that make sense to a certain extent.
Though not as demanding as, for example, a cockatoo, a bonded pet will seek the attention of its owner.
Few Eclectus like their heads petted and they like their bodies petted a certain way. They like to be stroked slowly and deliberately, and they seldom like their feathers ruffled in the process.
The Eclectus as intuitive, a trait that is believed, strengthens the relationship between bird and owner.
Because they can so easily read our moods, we bond with them on a deeper level than with most other pets and therefore feel more loyalty and devotion toward them than to other animal companions.
A well-socialized Eclectus makes a wonderful family pet. They generally like everyone, even though they may have bonded with one family member in particular.
ECLECTUS BASICS