Different from the rest
Not so very long ago, avian researchers thought that the male and female eclectus parrots were two entirely different species of parrot. That’s not surprising since they look completely different from each other: the male being predominantly florescent green and the female bright red and blue. They are one of very few color dimorphic parrots – those whose gender can be determined by appearance.
As it turns out, there is a lot about the eclectus parrot that makes them different from the rest.
Another notable difference is in the quality of their contour feathers, which line the head, necks, and undersides of the body. Where the feathers on other parrot species have interlocking barbs (the small strands that extend from the feather shaft), the eclectus contour feathers barbs do not interlock and have a hair-like appearance. The tail and flight feathers have interlocking barbs, as it is necessary for flight.
Different behaviors
While the eclectus parrot plays vigorously with its toys and is a great talker and mimicker, they are generally known as quiet and calm birds. There is an upside and a downside to their calmness…
The upside is that, in captivity, they are not regarded as screamers. Anybody with parrot experience will immediately see this is as a plus. They are excellent parrots for apartment dwellers or condo owners.
The downside is not as clear. Experienced owners of the eclectus parrot will tell you that their quiet and calm demeanor makes it especially hard to gauge their level of contentment in captivity.
The eclectus parrot expresses their stress and fear completely differently from other parrot species. Where most parrots will issue a piercing warning call, fly off or bite when they are frightened, the eclectus resorts to a very different behavior: they become still and quiet.
Without obvious signs of distress, owners unfamiliar with the eclectus will not be aware when their parrot is nervous or unhappy in their environment. They will be shocked when they discover a plucking problem or a stress related illness, or receive an unexpected bite one day.
Owners, new owners in particular, must be constantly aware of everything in the eclectus environment. It will be your job to spot potential problems since your bird will not point them out you.
Different dietary needs
The eclectus is considered to be one of the more difficult species to feed properly. They are particularly prone to some illnesses that result from inadequate diet.
The eclectus digestive system is different from that of other parrot species (its intestines are longer and it proventriculus is bigger), making it a more dynamic system with which to deliver nutrients AND fats. Because of this, the eclectus is prone to fatty tumors, obesity and fatty liver disease.
Another common affliction are strange neurological disorders called toe tapping and wing flipping where the feet clench and unclench and/or the wings drop from position and “flick” back into place involuntarily and rhythmically.
Both conditions are said to be a result of their remarkably efficient digestive system’s ability to cause excessive nutrient delivery. This makes appropriate diet an essential part of eclectus ownership.
How to prevent and cure Fatty Liver disease in parrots can be found in our natural feeding system within our cookbooks.
37 comments
Hello there! I have been watching your videos and reading your information here. I have a 22 year old Male Solomon Island eclectus that I have raised since he is 6 weeks old. His name is Basil, and he is older than all of my own kids. I have always had issues with him wanting to eat anything besides his pellets, some seeds, and some different fruits and veggies. Mostly harder fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, some pears, pomegrante, sweet potato, and cactus fruit (prickly pear). I cannot get him to eat all this other stuff people recommend, and he also refuses to play with his toys in general. Unless I hide almonds and his snacks in cardboard, he doesn’t chew or play with any toys. He has been like this since he was little, and always had tons of stuff offered to him. He also ha a bit of Randy Bird Syndrome…. Sometimes for hours in his cage at a time. He also is a sneak attack biter… He can be fine, sitting there, and then he will sometimes just bite. He’s overall a good bird, and friendly to all the kids. Just me he can be aggressive too, but I always thought that was because I am the one who cleans his cage and he doesn’t like anyone messing around with the inside of it. I digress…. Any advice on how to get him to eat some different things? Or at 22 is he going to be stuck in his ways?
Is there a substitute for apple sauce. I have a female Eclectus parrot who has been ill since we got her 10 years ago. She has many allergies resulting in anaphylaxis like activity. Apple being one of them. Many others. She allergic to the histamines and salicylates naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables. She has many health issues fatty liver being one of them. Do you have any advice to reverse this problem. I’d like to try your product’s but herbs have been a problem. Because of the salicylates. She is not retaining nutrients because of leaky gut. Chronic systemic yeast. The list goes on. I have tried everything over the years. Only to have a short term results and than back to square one. Constant researching and looking for products to bring her back to health!
Ted.Lisle@twc.com If you’re a beginner, a good all-natural pellet is a good place to start. Frozen or fresh raw vegetables may include carrots, celery, radishes, salad mix, sweet potatoes, and certain greens. Fruit may include occasional apple slices, bananas, and, I understand, strawberries. Occasional nuts and seeds are permissible, but watch the fat. I’m a rank beginner myself, but am trying hard to learn.
To Christina wondering about hormonal Eclectus… I’ve had a SI male for almost 7 years and yes, he can be hormonal. He will lunge after my male roommate’s hands and get cage aggressive. However, if you can learn your Parrot’s moods (think of them like another person in your home), you do adjust. I don’t try to remove him from his cage in the morning anymore but rather let him come out on his time. If he’s being a jerk, sometimes he gets a time out for a few minutes covered in his cage. I went with a male because many people said females were more aggressive, but to each their own. Love my ekkie like my child.
Hello, I’ve been interested in buying an eclectus parrot and have done much research but recently found out they are very hormonal birds. I was just wondering if this is the case for all eclectus parrots and if so, can it be stopped or is that just a characteristic commonly found in these birds.
Hi, I previously had a cockatiel and 5 years after he passed I decided to go bigger and get a female vosmaeri eclectus. She is a good girl for the most part but she doesn’t stay with me if I sit down on the bed to chill with her, she flies to her cage. She is a bit of a biter, sometimes she will be super sweet and out of nowhere she will bite. What can I do to try to make her less of a biter? Also I could use some pointers on harness training. Thank you for your time.
Which is the good food to feed my ecluptus,
Wanting know the correct way to teach my 26 year old Eclectus male to fly. He was clipped as a young bird lack of my not knowing the importance it held for him🙁. He is very well bonded to me and comes to me with step up. He’s a floor walker . But would absolutely love to give him back his wings💙
My Male Eclectus whom I have had since a baby has never flown. He is a healthy male with no injuries to wings. I would love to help learn to fly safely. I was hoping you could guild us though a safe flight.
Hi Jesse I had a male adult Eclectus, I was his 4th owner. He exhibited similar behaviour for about a year. It got much better as he adjusted. If his diet is good and there’s no medical concerns and he’s happy with the noise level in your home and where his cage is located, he should be able to adjust. Music was the thing that really helped him to settle in to the home. Parrots love music, especially classical and opera (not so much electinic or metal). They will sing and dance too. Good luck, I hope he starts to enjoy his new home.
My 4 month old went from being sweet stepping up cuddles and good behaviour to lunging and biting consistently now for 2 weeks no matter what I do ? Not sure the change was suddenly overnight
Hi I have an eckie and he is 4 I am his 3 owner and he has been with me for 5 months he screams constantly and bites a lot can you help me please?
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