The eclectus parrot is known for its intelligence and bright color patterns which makes them a perfect pet for pet lovers. These parrots are medium in size and highly social birds. These parrots are in two colors red and green. They lived an average of 30 years. These birds are good vocal speakers. The parrots are categorized into subspecies like Grand Eclectus and Solomon Island Eclectus. These birds are native to the Solomon Islands.
Table of Contents
Characteristics:
Eclectus parrots are social birds and love to live in flocks. They fly less but when they fly mostly in pairs or the flock. The size of the male birds is greater than the female. The average measurement of a male is between 4.5 inches – 5 inches whereas the average weight of a female is between 4 – 4.6 inches. The male is in green color which helps him to camouflage during hunting while the female is in red. These birds are shy but like social gatherings. Their average age is 40 years but we noticed that in the wild they lived for 60 years and as a pet average age is 40 years.
Reproduction:
The reproduction period of Eclectus starts from April through December. They build their nest in hollow cavities 20 to 30 meters above the ground. After making the nest they lay eggs in it. The female must warm the eggs for 28 days and the male has to give her food. Females lay eggs only once a year. After the incubation period, the chick takes six months to become independent. After that wait for 3 years to reach sexual maturity. The most interesting thing is that, every year they come back to the same nest where they lay eggs in the previous year.
Mating:
Mating in the eclectus is unique. One Male can mate with more than one female and One female also mate with more than one male. Sometimes more than one male mate with one female and give food to that female without quarreling with each other.
Habitat:
These parrots love to live in a habitat where trees, fruits, seeds, and nuts are available. In this habitat, they eat different things and maintain a balanced diet. They can easily find hollow cavities for nest building in this habitat. They climb on trees and crack the seeds and nuts using their strong beak. In this habitat, they freely fly in the sky and easily camouflage them. Eclectus Species are not found only in the Solomon Islands but also in Northern Australia, New Guinea, Moluccas, and Indonesia.
Diet:
In the wild, they eat different seeds, nuts, plants, leaf buds, and fruits. They drink fresh water in the wild. Their digestive system is so strong with special adaptations and rapid digestion. When a female lays eggs then it is the responsibility of the male to provide food to her because she will not leave her nest alone. As a pet, they depend upon their owner who provides diet to them. Their diet must contain grains, nuts, and fresh vegetables. Must provide fresh fruit once a week. The diet should be low in fat and high in fiber. Water must be changed daily. Also, clean the pots of feed and water to protect them from germs.
Vocalization:
Eclectus is best to train to speak. They are a quick learner and learn anything you teach them by providing positive tips. In the wild, we noticed that when a male comes back to their nest with food, they produce sounds to show their acknowledgment of return with the food. They also produce high sounds to communicate with their other flock members like cockatoos. As a pet, we noticed that they produced a variety of calls like whistles and screeches. They also mimic human sounds, mostly repeating the words of their owner who feeds them.
Common Health Issues And their Solutions:
The common health issues of eclectus are feather plucking, toe-tapping, and wing-flipping. These issues come due to not providing the proper and high-quality balanced diet. These issues are found in them mostly when they are pets. We can overcome these issues by providing them with all the necessary diets from the branded store or where the quality feed is available. Secondly, water must be clean, fresh, and available all the time. Thirdly Clean their cages and pots daily. Fourthly provide them with an airy place where sun rays strike their living cages. By considering these tips there is less chance of health issues and if you face any issue after considering these tips then call the vet immediately.
Cage And Caring:
The cage for the eclectus pair must be a minimum of 11 feet long 3 feet wide and 7 feet high. If you provide greater room or cage it’s up to you but they love to live in a place where they can freely fly. They can live indoors and outdoors in the house but you need to consider the following things.
1. They want a calm environment, so place them where they do not hear any loud noise.
2. Protect them from external predators.
3. They need proper light and ventilation so place them in an open area. Avoid placing them in the dark for a long time.
FAQs:
Q. 1 Which type of box is set in the cage for Eclectus?
Ans. Wood is recommended for making the box for Eclectus approximately 15 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and 30 inches high.
Q. 2 Why do I have to quarantine a new bird and how much time?
Ans. You have to quarantine a minimum of 30 days before introducing them to other birds because this helps us to determine whether the new birds have any disease that transmits to others.
Q. 3 Can an older female of Eclectus mate with a younger male of Eclectus?
Ans. Yes, an older female eclectus can mate with a younger male but he must be at the level of maturity.
