Strikingly beautiful birds, eclectus parrots live in lowland rainforests of Pacific islands such as New Guinea. These parrots are thought to have been introduced to some islands by forest-dwelling natives who kept them as pets.
HABITATS
Eclectus parrots are noisy, sociable birds that gather in large flocks of up to eighty. They fly very well and can climb trees with ease, using their beaks and feet to grip the branches.
The male is a stocky, medium-size bird with bright, glossy green feathers highlighted with red flashes on its sides and underneath its wings. The female is slightly smaller and has a bright red head, throat, and wings which contrast with her brilliant blue chest and purple under-wings.
Breeding
The eclectus parrot has no regular breeding season. During courtship, the male pursues one female and attempts to get her attention by making excited squawking calls. When the female is ready to mate, she selects a nest site in a hole high up in a tall tree trunk. The entrance is usually about three inches across. She chews up pieces of wood with which to line the nest and makes a soft bed for the eggs.
The female lays two eggs and incubates them without the help of the male. The male visits the nest at regular intervals during incubation and feeds the female with regurgitated food. The eggs hatch after 26 days, and the young fledge (grow feathers) and learn to fly at 12 weeks.
Food & Feeding
Like most other parrots, eclectus parrots are vegetarians. At sunrise, they leave their roosts in pairs or small groups and feed in the tops of tall trees. They eat a wide range of buds, blossoms, seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, and nectar.
When kept in captivity, eclectus parrots will eat large amounts of green vegetables in addition to fruit and nuts.
The birds are strong flyers and will travel far from their roosting sites in search of food. Large numbers will congregate on fruit-bearing trees.
The male is a stocky, medium-size bird with bright, glossy green feathers highlighted with red flashes on its sides and underneath its wings. The female is slightly smaller and has a bright red head, throat, and wings which contrast with her brilliant blue chest and purple under-wings.
Breeding
The eclectus parrot has no regular breeding season. During courtship, the male pursues one female and attempts to get her attention by making excited squawking calls. When the female is ready to mate, she selects a nest site in a hole high up in a tall tree trunk. The entrance is usually about three inches across. She chews up pieces of wood with which to line the nest and makes a soft bed for the eggs.
The female lays two eggs and incubates them without the help of the male. The male visits the nest at regular intervals during incubation and feeds the female with regurgitated food. The eggs hatch after 26 days, and the young fledge (grow feathers) and learn to fly at 12 weeks.
Food & Feeding
Like most other parrots, eclectus parrots are vegetarians. At sunrise, they leave their roosts in pairs or small groups and feed in the tops of tall trees. They eat a wide range of buds, blossoms, seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, and nectar.
When kept in captivity, eclectus parrots will eat large amounts of green vegetables in addition to fruit and nuts.
The birds are strong flyers and will travel far from their roosting sites in search of food. Large numbers will congregate on fruit-bearing trees.
Key Facts
Size
Length: 14 inches
Wingspan: Up to 28 inches
Weight: Up to 16 oz.
Breeding
Sexual maturity: 3 years
Number of broods: 1, possibly more.
Breeding season: Varies according to location and climate; may be almost continuous.
Eggs: White, 2 per clutch
Incubation period: 26 days
Fledging period: About 85 days
Lifestyle
Habit: Sociable, roosting in large groups of up to 80 birds
Diet: Treetop seeds, nuts, fruits, flowers, and leaves
Lifespan: Probably 40-50 years.
The Eclectus as Pet
Eclectus are remarkable birds and ideally suited as a pet. When taught properly, they are capable of cognitive behaviour from a very young age.
The ability of the Eclectus to communicate with humans is a result of their extremely inquisitive nature, a feature strongly linked to their life in the rainforest canopy. This habitat is a rich environment requiring a heightened visual and audible intellect to master.
The Eclectus has developed a complex breeding culture in this crowded vegetative habitat, resulting in communal breeding where uncles and aunties help rear young in a creche-like situation. This sharing and caring feature of the Eclectus makes them naturally the perfect pet.
When treated in a similarly caring and intelligent way they will quickly learn to communicate cognitively. Eclectus also prefer a calm environment and have a strong ability to notice changes within their normal surroundings.
These highly intelligent birds are very animated and love to participate in daily activities and in doing so, will quickly become acquainted with a daily routine. Eclectus can be kept with other parrot species although it is extremely important that any new bird is introduced in the correct fashion. This involves providing one on one attention with the original bird and as much as possible, maintaining its normal daily routine.
Regular and consistant traning form an integral part of the Eclectus development and with the correct love and attention, this highly intelligent bird makes an excellent pet.
Eclectus are remarkable birds and ideally suited as a pet. When taught properly, they are capable of cognitive behaviour from a very young age.
The ability of the Eclectus to communicate with humans is a result of their extremely inquisitive nature, a feature strongly linked to their life in the rainforest canopy. This habitat is a rich environment requiring a heightened visual and audible intellect to master.
The Eclectus has developed a complex breeding culture in this crowded vegetative habitat, resulting in communal breeding where uncles and aunties help rear young in a creche-like situation. This sharing and caring feature of the Eclectus makes them naturally the perfect pet.
When treated in a similarly caring and intelligent way they will quickly learn to communicate cognitively. Eclectus also prefer a calm environment and have a strong ability to notice changes within their normal surroundings.
These highly intelligent birds are very animated and love to participate in daily activities and in doing so, will quickly become acquainted with a daily routine. Eclectus can be kept with other parrot species although it is extremely important that any new bird is introduced in the correct fashion. This involves providing one on one attention with the original bird and as much as possible, maintaining its normal daily routine.
Regular and consistant traning form an integral part of the Eclectus development and with the correct love and attention, this highly intelligent bird makes an excellent pet.
how to identify male and female?
ReplyDeleteThe male have bright green feathers while female have bright red feathers on head, throat and chest
ReplyDelete