Eclectus?

[Kirsten]

I'm back on a "window shopping" kick for other parrots. It's window shopping simply because I have no space for a second bird, I love Skittles all on her own to bits, and I'm not ready to own a second bird and divide the attention. However, I just love watching videos and learning about other parrots and I've decided that in the future (probably several years) I would like to own an Eclectus. I realize that they are REALLY expensive, but I don't plan on owning another bird until I have a stable career and probably a house or at least a townhouse so I can build an outdoor aviary (another random idea of mine).

So I want to bounce ideas off of people and get information so that, years from now, when I do or do not get an eclectus I can say that I did my research. So who owns one or more that is willing to educate me? I've heard they have a unique digestive system and that you have to give them a special diet. What's included in that? Are they very social? I've heard males are more lax, true? So on, so forth. I just feel like I still don't know a whole bunch about them and they are just so awesome from what I've read. Please? Humor me?

[sidech]

So I want to bounce ideas off of people and get information so that, years from now, when I do or do not get an eclectus I can say that I did my research. So who owns one or more that is willing to educate me? I've heard they have a unique digestive system and that you have to give them a special diet. What's included in that? Are they very social? I've heard males are more lax, true? So on, so forth. I just feel like I still don't know a whole bunch about them and they are just so awesome from what I've read. Please? Humor me?

Hi Kirsten, I've had my male for 3 months now, and I've done tons and tons of research before acquiring him. I'm a member of 3 Eclectus forum and 2 mailing lists. I'll do my best to answer your question with the amount of knowledge I have.

Digestive system : Yes, they have a very long digestive track. They need fiber and vitamin A from natural sources and their diet has to be 80% fresh vegetables (mostly) and fruits, along with sprouts and a mix of seeds (canari seeds and various mix) and not more than 5% pellets with no added vitamins or artificial flavours or coloring (TOP is a good one for them). They will " toe tap " or " wing flip " if you're not careful (involuntary muscle spasms). There are tons of great diets for them on the internet. Go on " Land of Vos ", which is the bible for many people, and look up info about diet and many other things.

Eclectus are very social birds, but they are not clingy, unless you raise them to be. They are quite content just being around their people and playing with their toys or just chewing on their stuff. Females tend to be cage aggressive and can have problems with egg laying. They will try to get on your floor to find nest areas and will protect them with great ferocity. Females are said to be more independent and relaxed (when they're not busy nesting or nest protecting), and males are said to be more clingy. I say it's all in the way you raise them. Males are said to be better pets, and I believe that to be true, because they don't have that instinct to nest and protect. Females can lay eggs all year round, there is no specific peiod.


You have to know that babies under 7 months old qwack a lot. They qwack when they see you, they qwack when they eat with their mouth full, they qwack for apparently no reason. But they are babies and this is why they qwack. It is a very annoying and loud noise, but it usually passes when they are around 7 months. Jazz is almost done with the qwacking, thank God !

Now, Jazz, my male : he is very swet and affectionate. He likes to practice speaking and will answer me when I talk to him in this cute cartoon voice. He sings along with my daugther when she sings (no words, but still very cute). He can play with his toys and destroy the cheap wood stuff I buy him at the dollar store for hours. He loves to eat, of course. He is independant enough but still likes to cuddle with me on the couch for very long times. He lets me put him on his back because he trusts me. He bit me the first 3 weeks, but now we understand each other and I don't let it happen again, and he doesn't do it in return.

To me he's the best I could have, because he was exactly what I was looking for.

Oh, he is very messy, but that's the price to pay for an Eclectus. And by the way, Eclectus are about the same price as a Grey, at least in Canada, so not too bad for a parrot who can live 70 years...

[jinglima1236]

Eclectuses are wonderful and social parrots. The food arrangements for them are a little different but it's worth the love you get from them in return . My male Eclectus, Dakota, is a little shy around strangers but is very sweet to the humans he does recognize. Also, Eclectuses are usually vey tolerant with other birds and will most likely get along with a different species (outside the cage!). From the Eclectuses I have handled, most of them are very independent birds. I hope I helped! Good luck!!

[felix11]

I know two lovely eclectus very well, one male and one female - they live with my boyfriend, and I often look after them. Everything that people say about eclectus holds true with them - he (Green) is more docile than she, she (Red) often displays (very cute) nesting behaviour on the ground. Her favorite place is in the waste paper basket, she will climb in and throw out all the rubbish. I am utterly in love with her, and I would personally choose a female eclectus over a male. While Green is more cuddly and docile (verging on unresponsive), Red is just as sweet natured, just more independent. She is a lot more interactive in her environment than Green, more curious and playful. If she doesn't want to do something, she will let you know gently, by pushing your hand away with her beak. She is also more likely to come up to you for attention. Of course, they are just individuals, and can't be totally representative of their sexes.

Both vocalize often, talking, whistling and, irregularly, screaming. I don't find their dietary needs too difficult to meet - it just takes a few extra minutes each morning.
I used to sit them on my knees in bed and read out loud to them whatever I was reading - they would listen intently and make encouraging 'I understand' noises every now and then - "Ooooh!"

[Saerphe]

I too am considering an Eclectus... Is there any major differences in the subspecies besides the size and colour? I know Solomon Islands ones are the smallest and are apparently the gentler of the species... but I'm finding it hard to find a breeder in Canada of SIs that isn't on the opposite coast from me. I won't be picky in the long run, but it's something I'd like to consider first.

I'm moving to Nova Scotia in the fall for university, but I don't know yet if I'll stay out there after I graduate or come back to Ontario. Can anyone recommend a good breeder (of any subspecies) in (or near) either province? I won't be buying for a few years yet, but I'd like to know ahead of time.

[sidech]

Well, there are a few good breeders in Canada, and also in the States. In Canada, they are mainly in the west. PM me when you're ready and I'll give you some names.

As per sub-species, some sites will say SI are the nicest ones, but honestly, I don't believe this. I have an RS, and he's very good (still a baby), and I'm a member of an Australian Forum where there are different subspecies, and I've never felt that one was better than the other.

SI's are the smallest and RS are supposed to be the most common ones. RS are bigger than SI, and the green is a little deeper, a little more yellow on the tip of the tail. SI might weigh 370 grams, RS might weigh between 400-500 grams, but of course there are a lot of individual differences.

Go on Land of Vos, and read all you can, to start with.

[Saerphe]

Thanks very much, Sidech, I'll have to take you up on that one when I finally decide the time is right to get one.

I've been on Land of Vos and it's a fantastic resource. I also bought the Barron's book on Ekkie care and I've been getting other books on training and such out of the library.

[sidech]

Thanks very much, Sidech, I'll have to take you up on that one when I finally decide the time is right to get one.

I've been on Land of Vos and it's a fantastic resource. I also bought the Barron's book on Ekkie care and I've been getting other books on training and such out of the library.

Please, do.

You should also become a member of their mailing list (Land of Vos). You will learn tons and tons. It is one email a day, and the best way to learn.

http://www.landofvos.com/tec.html