Talking Eclectus Parrot

Talking eclectus parrots come in a variety of sub-species, including the Grand Eclectus, the Vosmaeri, and the Solomon Island Eclectus (Eclectus roratus solomonensis) which is the most commonly found Eclectus in captivity. Originating in the Solomon Islands, this bird is prized for its stunning appearance and great pet quality. A little harder to find than some of the other parrots of this size, the Solomon is easily recognizable once you do find one — you can’t miss an Eclectus! Their feathers do not have a distinct outline like the feathers of other birds; Eclectus parrots look as if they are covered with a fine fur, and along with their day-glow colors, the effect is astounding.

Eclectus are dimorphic, meaning that there are visual distinctions between the sexes. Males are a bright green and have a horn-colored beak, with a splash of bright blue on the wing and a bright red underwing. The females are a stunning red with a deep violet belly and a black beak. eclectus parrot diet

In fact, because of these differences, these birds were not bred successfully for many years because breeders were putting males with males and hens with hens! It wasn’t until a couple of decades ago that someone realized that the green birds were male and the red birds were female.

COMMON NAMES: Eclectus parrot, Solomon Island eclectus parrot, Grand eclectus parrot, yellow-sided eclectus parrot, Vosmaeri eclectus parrot, blue-bellied eclectus parrot, red-sided eclectus parrot, dusky eclectus parrot

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Eclectus roratus

ADULT SIZE: 17 and 20 inches, weighing 13 to 18 ounces

LIFE EXPECTANCY: 30 to 50 years

                             Talking Eclectus Parrot Distribution Geography

CONTINENTS

Oceania, Asia

SUBCONTINENTS

Southeast Asia

COUNTRIES

Solomon Islands, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia

REGIONS

North Carolina

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL REALMS

Australasian

Mangrove, Tropical dry forest, Tropical moist forests, Tropical savanna

Eclectus parrots are native to the Solomon Islands, Sumba, New Guinea and nearby islands, northeastern Australia, and the Maluku Islands (Moluccas). They live in forests, often near water or coastal areas, and often occur in savanna woodland, mangroves, freshwater swamp, plantations, and rural gardens.

                             Talking Eclectus Parrot Temperament

The eclectus is a very friendly and intelligent bird species described as gentle, tranquil, and caring. Eclectus parrots are also affectionate. Most thrive best when socialization is part of their daily routine.1 They cherish the time they spend interacting with their families. They are also sensitive and can quickly become stressed if they feel neglected. eclectus parrot for sale

This bird will learn the routine and what to expect in your household. They enjoy the comings and goings, as well as being a part of it.

Around 18 months of age, the birds begin to reach sexual maturity. Sometimes this brings with it some aggression or the instinct to “feed” whatever is nearby. You may notice some naughty nipping behavior. This period is called bluffing, and it is best to ignore it and turn to distraction techniques instead of reinforcing it. With time, they pass through the phase and learn what’s acceptable.

While both the males and females of the species make lovely pets, many owners claim that males tend to be a bit more trainable and agreeable. On the flip side, females may be less dependent on their owners and tend to handle stress better. Females may also be bossier and more aggressive than a male, particularly during breeding. Even in captivity, a female’s nesting instincts remain strong. You might find her trying to nest in secluded areas of your home.

                           Talking Eclectus Parrot Personality & Behavior

Eclectus parrots are intelligent, gentle birds that become welcome members of the family due to their tranquil nature. They are pretty good with children, though they will not tolerate frantic activity or constant disturbing noise. It will be important to teach children how to behave around the bird, rather than the other way around. male eclectus parrot

Female Eclectus parrots — even those kept as single pets — have strong nesting instincts and might be inclined to seek out nest sites in dark and enclosed areas around the home, such as in cupboards and underneath furniture. Females can be quite territorial, especially during breeding season. If you keep a male and female pair, the female will likely be the bossier of the two.

                                Talking Eclectus Parrot Speech & Sound

Eclectus parrots generally are not prone to excessive noisiness. They can be quite vocal, and are capable of developing an extensive vocabulary. Eclectus parrots join Amazons and African greys as being one of the best species for training to speak. They are quick to learn almost anything you want to teach them. Many people find them to be on the quieter side when compared to other parrots. They have a distinctive honk and other vocalizations that can be amusing the first few times, but loud and startling.

                            Talking Eclectus Parrot Colors and Markings

Eclectus are known as sexually dimorphic, meaning that you can tell the sex of the bird by its physical characteristics. Male eclectus birds are a brilliant emerald green color with bright orange beaks and splashes of red and blue under their wings. By contrast, the females are mostly bright red with black beaks and deep purple markings on their chests and tails. Before the early 20th century, since the male and female birds looked so different, they were thought to be entirely two different species. eclectus parrot price

Instead of distinct lines found on many bird’s feathers, eclectus feathers seem to blend. Their coloring makes for brilliant camouflage in their native habitat; you can often hear them before you can see them.

                                  Talking Eclectus Parrot Mating Habits

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