Eclectus parrots are unusual birds, but it is not just their unique beauty that makes them one of the most popular large pet parrots. These birds are known for their gentle disposition, laid back personality, and impressive ability to mimic sounds and speech. They are also one of the few parrots that do not form strong pair bonds, so they are unlikely to become “one-person birds”.
Male Eclectus vs. Female Eclectus
Most pet parrots can be chosen without regard for the sex of the bird, but male and female Eclectus parrots exhibit clear personality differences. In the author’s opinion, both are equally beautiful, but the female bird has the most distinctive coloration. For this reason, female Eclectus parrots tend to be more popular and are sometimes more expensive.
Despite his mostly green feathers, the male Eclectus parrot is far from a plain bird, and his gentle, playful nature makes him slightly more suitable as a pet. Male Eclectus are less likely to become aggressive, tend to respond better to training, and often develop an extensive vocabulary.
Eclectus Subspecies
Although there are nine subspecies of Eclectus parrots, only five are available as pets in the United States. These are the Solomon Island Eclectus (E. roratus solomonensis), the Grand Eclectus (E. roratus roratus), the Vosmaeri Eclectus (E. roratus vosmaeri), the red-sided Eclectus (E. roratus polychlorus) and the Aru red-sided Eclectus (E. roratus aruensis). Although the subspecies differ slightly in coloration and size, they have few personality differences.
Eclectus Annoyances: Noise and Mess
Eclectus parrots are often touted as quiet birds, but this is not quite accurate. Certainly, compared to other parrots of similar size, a single Eclectus is not very vocal. An Eclectus parrot that feels threatened may let loose with a deafening shriek, but Eclectus do not scream habitually.
Eclectus parrots are boisterous eaters and are notorious for the mess they can produce. Since a healthy Eclectus diet contains a large amount of fruits and vegetables, the problem cannot be solved with a quick vacuuming. Some owners choose to feed their Eclectus outside of the cage to ease cleanup.
Caging Requirements for Eclectus Parrots
Eclectus parrots are large birds and require a large cage. In general, a single Eclectus parrot can be housed comfortably in a cage that is approximately 36” by 36” by 36”. Most so-called “parrot cages” on the market are far too small for an Eclectus. Bar spacing should be between 3/4” and 1” to allow climbing without the risk of injury, and the bars should be made of a strong material that can withstand chewing. Powder-coated wrought iron and stainless steel cages are good choices for Eclectus parrots.
Feeding Eclectus Parrots
Eclectus parrots require a specialized diet. Unlike most parrots, they do poorly when fed a pellet-based diet. An ideal diet for an Eclectus parrot consists of:
- Approximately 50% fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in Vitamin A
- Approximately 30% cooked bean and grain mixture, or a good-quality low-fat seed mix
- Approximately 20% sprouted grains
- A few high-quality pellets (such as Roudybush, Zupreem Natural, or Harrison’s)
Cuttlebone and fresh, clean water should always be available.
Buying an Eclectus Parrot
Eclectus parrots are available from many breeders nationwide, and cost between $800 and $1600, depending on the subspecies. It is always preferable to purchase a bird directly from a breeder, rather from a pet shop. Not only will you save money by buying direct, most breeders are very knowledgeable about the species they sell and will answer any questions you have about caring for your new pet parrot.
Peggy Deland - Prior to becoming a full-time freelance writer, Peggy Deland worked as an Internet researcher, content editor, quality assurance agent, ...
