Raising parrots at home is an activity that requires great commitment but can give enormous satisfaction: sociable and fun, these animals need continuous care but easily get in tune with the owner and with the children.
Birds that require great responsibility are the Ecletto parrots (also called eclectic parrot or eclectus parrot), colorful and native to the Moluccas, Solomon Islands, New Guinea and Australia.
Let’s see together what are the distinctive features of this parrot, focusing in particular on its character , nutrition and daily life habits .
Ecletto parrot: character and appearance
In Eclectus roratus there is a very visible sexual dysmorphism : the male and female specimens are easily distinguished with the naked eye. Males are smaller (30/33 centimeters) and almost completely uniform green color , except for the tips of the wings and tail. They have yellow or orange beaks .
The female ecletto parrot is on average larger (over 35 centimeters and weighing up to 600 grams), scarlet red on the head, blue on the thorax and belly and again red, orange or yellow shades on the tip of the tail. They have a very dark black or brown beak .
Eclet parrots are generally quiet and make soft, velvety sounds during play and social interactions. As with humans, however, there are individual specimens that are more expansive and talkative. They are good – natured parrots : they appreciate quiet play, respond to commands when trained, rarely peck or claw . They are sociable and kind even with children . Usually, the most docile specimens are males.
It will be necessary to pay close attention in the pairing phase. It is not uncommon for the female to become moderately aggressive towards the male before forming a bond with him. Serious or fatal accidents are rare, but it is important to respect some rules:
- The two animals must be of similar size and age(on the one hand, if the female were to become too expansive, the male would not risk being hurt; on the other hand, having grown up together, it will be easier for them to become attached to each other. other things and don’t get grumpy)
- Check for behavioral difficulties
- Avoid breeding two females together: they could compete and have aggressive attitudes
The animal is long-lived: in captivity the specimens live up to over 40 years . For this reason, before buying one of these splendid parrots it is necessary to think carefully about your decision: welcoming it at home means taking care of it for decades, exactly as you would do with another member of the family.
These animals are excellent parents, independent and caring : they can hatch in thespecial nestup to four spawnings per year, each with two eggs. If you intend to keep all the little ones with you, you must necessarily consider the fact that your family will be engaged with them for at least two generations.
The main feature that attracts a huge audience of passionate breeders, however, is the ability to speak : the ecletto parrot speaks and indeed can be trained in this regard.
The cost for this animal varies from 300 to 500 euros, depending on the subspecies.
Ecletto parrot: nutrition and favorite foods
These animals have a very strange feature for the Psittaciformes family: they have an unusually long intestine. This suggests that, since its evolutionary origins, the animal has been accustomed to feeding on fibers rather than seeds or berries .
Here are some of the foods that you can win her gratitude with:
- Apples, pears, oranges, pomegranates, papayas, berries and bananas: must make up at least 30% of meals
- Carrots, celery, peas, beans (both cooked and sprouted), fresh corn, squash, and leafy greens
- Seed mixes, such as millet or sunflower
Did the parrot behave well during the game, was he comfortable with the children, and did he respond positively to your commands? Eclettos are greedy for cheese : try offering them a cube of parmesan as a reward!
A large and well equipped aviary
The Ecletto is a rather large parrot. For this, he will need a large aviary , at least 3.5 meters by 1.5 meters. You will need to equip it with fresh but stable branches orperches to rest(the parrot sleeps at least 10 hours a day) and leaves to hide behind, as well as toys with no parts that can be ingested and any other tools that can make his day more interesting.
The best fund for the aviary is newspaper , to be changed daily.
Despite being a tropical bird, accustomed to hot and humid climates, providing it with a tub of lukewarm water in the summer will amuse it and help it cool off with a short bath. Be careful not to expose the aviary to drafts: these birds suffer from cold and strong winds!
Take them for a walk in a quiet environment every day to stretch and play with the family. Attentive only to loud noises and sudden movements: parrots love tranquility and routine and can be frightened if placed in too chaotic an environment.
