Eclectus Parrot  

The lovely Eclectus parrots are attractive and intelligent birds. They are real show stoppers with their beautiful, vibrant coloration! They can be quite loud however, and they love to chew anything they can get a hold of, so provide a lot of stimulating toys and wood to chew on. Being very intelligent and inquisitive makes Eclectuses relatively easy to train. Reward good behavior with treats. You should give a new arrival a few days to get use to you, your voice and its cage before trying to handle it. Each session is best 30 minutes or more with about an hour rest in between. These Australian and Indonesian birds have an average lifespan is 35-55 years.

Diet

Besides a good seed mix, fresh fruits, legumes and green foods are essential to keep the Eclectus healthy. Fresh foods include as dandelion greens, carrots, cooked broccoli, sweet potato, cucumber, green peppers, zucchini, pineapple, apricot, apples and banana. Many Eclectuses also enjoy a variety of treats and snacks such a seeds, eggs, and small bits of cheese. Do not feed avocado or rhubarb. A cuttlebone or mineral block is important for beak condition and oyster shell or gravel for important minerals.

Housing  

The Eclectus is considered a large-sized bird. Provide a cage as large as possible, with horizontal bars 1” apart to make climbing easier along with an outside play area. Place at least two perches at different heights so the droppings do not get into the food. Use various sized perches and branches for healthy feet along with ropes, chains and swings for climbing and exercising. Where you place the cage is important. Place your bird's near where they can socialize but in a stress-free environment, such as the corner of a living room. Eclectuses are sensitive to smoke, wind drafts and strong odors. Cover the cage at night to provide a sense of security and prevent drafts. If their environment is too stressful they may pluck their feathers.

Care

Basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Change paper bottoms daily and litter coverings every 2-3 days. Clean and disinfect the cage weekly. Wash and completely dry the perches and toys whenever they become soiled.

Grooming

Eclectuses generally maintain their beaks on their own through chewing. Your birds will enjoy a bath or a light spray mist of lukewarm water at least once daily. Wings should be kept trim if you want to discourage flight and prevent flight through an open door or window. Occasional nail trims will be needed.

Health

A balanced diet, cleanliness and plenty of exercise will prevent most parrot illnesses. Eclectuses should be allowed to spend a minimum of one to two hours out of their cages daily, and should be provided with plenty of bird chew toys to facilitate exercising their mandibles. Boredom and lack of socialization can lead to feather plucking, biting and screaming. Some signs of illness: sitting with eyes closed, ruffled feathers, lack of appetite, irregular breathing, nasal discharge, sneezing, resting with its head turned back, and any change in the dropping. Consult an avian veterinarian if any of these signs are noticed.