The Eclectus parrot is a beautiful and intelligent bird that makes a wonderful pet for the right owner. With their vibrant plumage, ability to talk, and fun-loving personalities, Eclectus parrots can be a joy to have in the home. However, like any parrot, they do require specialized care, plenty of attention, and proper training. Determining if an Eclectus is the right pet bird for you requires learning about their unique traits and care requirements. Here we will explore what makes Eclectus parrots special, their care needs, temperament, intelligence, talking ability, and more to help you decide if this exotic bird would be a good fit as a pet.
Appearance and Vocalizations
The most striking feature of Eclectus parrots is the dramatic difference in coloration between the males and females of the species. Males have vibrant emerald green feathers on their plumage, while females are brightly colored in red and purple. Their feathers are edged in black and their tails are blue. Here is a table comparing the coloration of male and female Eclectus parrots:
| Gender | Coloration |
|---|---|
| Male | Bright green plumage with blue tail feathers |
| Female | Red and purple plumage |
This striking dichotomy in color is unique among parrot species where males and females typically have similar color patterns.
Eclectus parrots produce a range of vocalizations but are generally not as loud as other large parrots. Their calls can include whistles, chattering, and clucking sounds. They can learn to mimic speech and other noises quite well when trained.
Origins and Species
Eclectus parrots are native to the Solomon Islands, Sumba, New Guinea and nearby islands in the wild. There are several subspecies:
- Grand Eclectus
- Vos Eclectus
- Solomon Island Eclectus
- Sumba Eclectus
The Grand Eclectus is the most popular and commonly kept as a pet. Eclectus parrots are non-migratory but may seasonally move to different elevations in the wild.
Lifespan
Eclectus parrots can be a very long-lived parrot species. Their average lifespan is 20-40 years when kept as pets or in captivity. With excellent care and diet, Eclectus parrots may even live up to 50-60 years or longer. This makes them a very long commitment when considering them as a pet.
Personality and Temperament
Eclectus parrots are known for being charming, affectionate, fun-loving and relatively quiet compared to other medium-large parrots. They bond strongly to their owners and can be content to sit for long periods of quiet companionship. Eclectus parrots are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training. This allows them to learn tricks and other behaviors very quickly.
They display a playful and inquisitive nature and enjoy exploring their environment and interacting with their owners. Providing plenty of safe toys will keep an Eclectus parrot engaged and mentally stimulated. Despite their medium size, Eclectus parrots are generally known for being gentle with limited inclination to bite aggressively. However, they still require handling from a young age to become accustomed to human interaction.
Here is a table comparing some general pros and cons of Eclectus parrot personality:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affectionate | Can be loud at times |
| Intelligent and trainable | Require lots of attention |
| Playful and curious | Prone to feather damaging behavior if bored or anxious |
| Gentle | Can be messy with food and waste |
| Can learn to talk | May bond strongly to one person |
Overall, their charming and upbeat personality makes Eclectus parrots a delightful companion when they receive proper care and attention.
Talking Ability
Eclectus parrots are one of the better talking parrot species, renowned for their ability to clearly mimic speech. Their vocabulary potential is quite extensive, with some Eclectus parrots capable of learning hundreds of words and phrases when trained patiently. Males are often considered better talkers than females.
Eclectus parrots seem to delight in mimicking speech and sounds around them. With consistent daily training sessions, they can start picking up words after just a few months of age. Persistence is key, as some birds may take a year or more before beginning to vocalize any words. But the payoff can be well worth it when your Eclectus starts reciting words, singing tunes, and showing off their impressive talking skills.
Intelligence and Trainability
Eclectus parrots are highly intelligent birds that thrive when given plenty of mental stimulation. Their problem-solving abilities are quite strong compared to other parrot species. This makes training an Eclectus parrot with positive reinforcement a very rewarding experience. They excel at learning tricks, behaviors, and following cues when taught through reward-based methods using treats or praise.
Some key signs of their intelligence include:
- Advanced vocal mimicry skills
- Ability to learn hundreds of words/commands
- Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
- Capacity to learn advanced tricks and behaviors like retrieving objects, answering questions, potty training, etc.
- Forming social bonds and communicating with owners
Spending time each day working with an Eclectus parrot on training helps keep them engaged and well-behaved. A bored Eclectus can become destructive or noisy, so it’s important to match their high intellectual needs.
Proper Diet
Eclectus parrots require a balanced diet centered around high quality pelleted food designed specifically for their dietary requirements. Here are some key components an Eclectus should be fed daily:
- Base diet of Eclectus pelleted formula
- Chopped vegetables and fruits – carrots, green beans, berries, apples, squash, sweet potatoes etc.
- Sprouted or germinated seeds
- Some nuts like almonds, walnuts, etc.
- Occasional treats like whole grains, pasta, bread
- Fresh clean water always available
Avoid excess seeds, fatty nuts, avocados, chocolate, caffeine, and other toxic foods.variety of topics. Eclectus parrots thrive on a varied, nutrient-dense diet customized to their needs. Consult an avian vet if in doubt about proper nutrition.
Housing
As medium-large parrots, Eclectus need a spacious cage, preferably with bar spacing no wider than 5/8″. Minimum cage size should be 36″ long x 24″ wide x 40″ high for one Eclectus, but larger is always better. The cage should contain multiple natural wood perches, toys, and food/water dishes. birds should get out-of-cage time daily for exercise and interaction.
Eclectus parrots are active and need room to spread their wings, climb and play. Have a play stand or gym available for them when outside the cage. Ensure any rooms they have access to are fully parrot-proofed for safety. Trim wing feathers regularly to prevent escape if allowing free flight.
Common Health Issues
Eclectus parrots are generally quite healthy when cared for properly. Here are some common health issues to be aware of:
- Respiratory infections
- Psittacosis – bacterial disease, can be transmitted to humans
- Feather damaging behavior
- Atherosclerosis – fat deposits in arteries
- Obesity
- Gastrointestinal issues
Annual vet exams and proper nutrition helps keep Eclectus parrots healthy. Immediately address any signs of illness. Common symptoms of health problems include puffed up feathers, loss of appetite, increased sleeping, and changes in droppings.
Finding an Eclectus Parrot
There are a few options for obtaining an Eclectus parrot:
- Reputable breeder – best choice for healthiest, hand-raised baby bird. Screen breeders carefully.
- Avian Rescue Organization – adopt an adult Eclectus in need of a new home.
- Pet Shops – not ideal, as the source of birds is often unknown.
- Online Ads – use caution when arranging to purchase a bird sight-unseen.
Expect to pay $700-1000+ for a hand-fed baby Eclectus from a breeder. Adoption fees are often lower for adults being re-homed through a rescue.
Conclusion
Eclectus parrots can make extraordinarily fun, affectionate and interesting pets for owners who are able to provide them with an enriched lifestyle. Their playful personalities, impressive talking ability and striking beauty are definite plusses. However, prospective owners should not underestimate the responsibility required in caring for an exotic, long-lived parrot.
You must be committed to providing them with:
- Several hours of daily interaction and supervision
- A large, enriched cage and safe out-of-cage play areas
- A varied and nutrient-rich diet
- Consistent positive reinforcement training
- Regular wing and nail trimming
- Annual vet exams and healthcare
- Potentially 40+ years of responsible ownership
For the right owner willing to invest the time, money and dedication needed to meet their complex needs, the Eclectus parrot makes an absolutely delightful pet. Their vibrant spirit and engaging intelligence leaves a lasting impression on all who know these unique parrots. With excellent care, your Eclectus can become a true lifelong companion.
