Post by Smiley on Mar 7, 2008 5:16:08 GMT -5
With permission smileysbirds.proboards26.com/index.cgi
From the Moluccas and the Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, to New Guinea, the Solomon Island, and Cape York peninsula of Australia.
1.Grand Eclectus (E. r. roratus) Other names, Red sided, Rocky River,
2. Vosmaeri Eclectus (E. r. vosmaeri)
3. Cornelia's Eclectus (E.r. cornelia)
4. Riedel's/Tanimbar Eclectus (E.r. riedeli)
5. Westermani’s Eclectus (E.r. Westermani)
6. Red-sided Eclectus (E. r. polychloros)
7. Biaki Eclectus (E.r. biaki)
8. Aruensis/Aru Eclectus (E.r. aruensis)
9. Macgillivray's Eclectus (E.r. macgillivrayi)
10. Solomon Island Eclectus (E. r. solomonensis)
With various subspecies, however, are difficult to tell apart, which often leads to inadvertent hybridization. Not all that you see on the list are true. Take E.r. westermani, has never been seen in wild populations but only in captivity. So really there are debates about how many sub species there really are.
Without a doubt, among the most beautiful and elegant of parrots. Eclectus are not as noisy as many other large parrot species. Early ornithologists considered them different species.
With proper care, they should be able to live for 50-75 years.
The Red-sided Eclectus is a medium size parrot and measures approximately 36 cm. The cock is bright green all over the body with red on the underwing and sides; the tip of the tail is pale yellow in colour. The upper mandible is orange yellow and the lower mandible is black. Hens are deep red on the head, maroon body, blue to purple on the breast and have a distinctive blue eye ring; top and lower mandibles are black. Eclectus have hair like feathers that are different to other bird’s feathers and they never go into a heavy moult, rather loosing some feathers around three times a year.
Housing
Eclectus are best in single pairs in conventional aviaries measuring 5 metres long, 1.2 metres wide and 2.1 metres high. And have been none to breed in large suspended.
Diet
As most large parrots Eclectus should be on a low fat diet to avoid the development of fatty tumours. In the wild, Eclectus forage for food in the forest canopy. Their diet consists of a variety of fruit, nuts, seeds, leaf buds, flowers, and other vegetation.
Health Problems
Eclectus are subject to the same variety of disease conditions that plague other parrots. These include bacterial infections, viral infections, malnutrition, parasites (external and internal), environmental toxins, metal poisoning, and fungal infections. Some conditions seem to affect them to a greater degree than other parrots.
·Vitamin A deficiency - symptoms are mouth ulcers and swollen glands beneath the tongue.
·Constricted toe syndrome - seen mainly in young chicks. The cause is unknown at this time, but speculation suggests either a fungal infection producing hair-like filaments that enwrap the affected toe, or the presence of other hairs or threads that wrap the toe and cut off circulations.
·Wing flipping and/or Toe-tapping - It is an involuntary opening and closing of the foot or toe, which gives the appearance of the bird tapping. Birds with a severe condition are unable to sleep. Some birds have been known to mutilate the offending toe or foot, by attempting to chew it off. Wing twitching/flipping is similar only it involves spasms of the wing rather than the foot. Those that have this problem, I suggest to take your feathered Friend to a avain vet, check for calcium levels along with other chemical deficiencies.
Calcium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency
Nutritional imbalance
Food allergies
Spirulina
Artificial colours/flavour
Preservatives
Sunflower seeds
Stress
Breeding
Eclectus parrots become sexually mature at two to three years of age, but this can vary between birds. Generally the hen bird matures earlier than the cock and tends to be the more dominant towards her mate. Eclectus parrots can be bred in either a log or a standard nest box.
Eggs 2 to 3 are laid. Only the hen incubates the eggs, which lasts for a period of 28 days. Chicks will fledge approximately 8 to 9 weeks old. Eclectus parrots can breed all year round.
Conclusion
The Eclectus parrot is an interesting and delightful bird to have. They have a number of unusual calls that are quite pleasant to the ear, however they can also let out a raucous screech when they become alarmed or excited, unfortunately this is what people mostly remember. They are a high maintenance bird, in that they require to be fed their soft food daily. They may not be suitable to some suburban backyards depending on how much noise they generate and how tolerant the neighbours are.
BEHAVIOR
Eclectus make wonderful pets and have excellent talking abilities. They also love to mimic their favourite sounds, such as microwaves, laughter, opera, and sneezing. They are adventure and love to explore new places and people.
Eclectus are very playful and enjoy hanging upside down in their cages and flapping their wings, playing with toys and interaction with other birds. They are very tidy and can be easily potty trained. Also, they do not throw their food. Many experts have written the smaller Solomon Island Eclectus are the most calm and docile of the Eclectus species. They are generally quiet, non-chewers, non-screamers, and since they live in colonies in the wild, they tend to bond to a family rather than just one person.
Eclectus are very intelligent and focus their eyes on their owner to closely observe every movement. They show interest not only in you but also in everyone and everything around them. They love to explore and usually show little fear.
The female of the Eclectus species is the dominant gender, and many people find that when the infant female reaches puberty, she becomes aggressive. This is simply those hormones talking, and the female needs her space during these mood swings. Don’t we all lol. This is strictly an instinctive behaviour and not meanness. The male is very subservient and probably makes the least moody pet. The tameness of any pet parrot depends on the amount of direct attention, play time, handling, and interaction with its handler and other birds as an infant. Even the moody female will eventually mellow out as she matures.
From the Moluccas and the Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, to New Guinea, the Solomon Island, and Cape York peninsula of Australia.
1.Grand Eclectus (E. r. roratus) Other names, Red sided, Rocky River,
2. Vosmaeri Eclectus (E. r. vosmaeri)
3. Cornelia's Eclectus (E.r. cornelia)
4. Riedel's/Tanimbar Eclectus (E.r. riedeli)
5. Westermani’s Eclectus (E.r. Westermani)
6. Red-sided Eclectus (E. r. polychloros)
7. Biaki Eclectus (E.r. biaki)
8. Aruensis/Aru Eclectus (E.r. aruensis)
9. Macgillivray's Eclectus (E.r. macgillivrayi)
10. Solomon Island Eclectus (E. r. solomonensis)
With various subspecies, however, are difficult to tell apart, which often leads to inadvertent hybridization. Not all that you see on the list are true. Take E.r. westermani, has never been seen in wild populations but only in captivity. So really there are debates about how many sub species there really are.
Without a doubt, among the most beautiful and elegant of parrots. Eclectus are not as noisy as many other large parrot species. Early ornithologists considered them different species.
With proper care, they should be able to live for 50-75 years.
The Red-sided Eclectus is a medium size parrot and measures approximately 36 cm. The cock is bright green all over the body with red on the underwing and sides; the tip of the tail is pale yellow in colour. The upper mandible is orange yellow and the lower mandible is black. Hens are deep red on the head, maroon body, blue to purple on the breast and have a distinctive blue eye ring; top and lower mandibles are black. Eclectus have hair like feathers that are different to other bird’s feathers and they never go into a heavy moult, rather loosing some feathers around three times a year.
Housing
Eclectus are best in single pairs in conventional aviaries measuring 5 metres long, 1.2 metres wide and 2.1 metres high. And have been none to breed in large suspended.
Diet
As most large parrots Eclectus should be on a low fat diet to avoid the development of fatty tumours. In the wild, Eclectus forage for food in the forest canopy. Their diet consists of a variety of fruit, nuts, seeds, leaf buds, flowers, and other vegetation.
Health Problems
Eclectus are subject to the same variety of disease conditions that plague other parrots. These include bacterial infections, viral infections, malnutrition, parasites (external and internal), environmental toxins, metal poisoning, and fungal infections. Some conditions seem to affect them to a greater degree than other parrots.
·Vitamin A deficiency - symptoms are mouth ulcers and swollen glands beneath the tongue.
·Constricted toe syndrome - seen mainly in young chicks. The cause is unknown at this time, but speculation suggests either a fungal infection producing hair-like filaments that enwrap the affected toe, or the presence of other hairs or threads that wrap the toe and cut off circulations.
·Wing flipping and/or Toe-tapping - It is an involuntary opening and closing of the foot or toe, which gives the appearance of the bird tapping. Birds with a severe condition are unable to sleep. Some birds have been known to mutilate the offending toe or foot, by attempting to chew it off. Wing twitching/flipping is similar only it involves spasms of the wing rather than the foot. Those that have this problem, I suggest to take your feathered Friend to a avain vet, check for calcium levels along with other chemical deficiencies.
Calcium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency
Nutritional imbalance
Food allergies
Spirulina
Artificial colours/flavour
Preservatives
Sunflower seeds
Stress
Breeding
Eclectus parrots become sexually mature at two to three years of age, but this can vary between birds. Generally the hen bird matures earlier than the cock and tends to be the more dominant towards her mate. Eclectus parrots can be bred in either a log or a standard nest box.
Eggs 2 to 3 are laid. Only the hen incubates the eggs, which lasts for a period of 28 days. Chicks will fledge approximately 8 to 9 weeks old. Eclectus parrots can breed all year round.
Conclusion
The Eclectus parrot is an interesting and delightful bird to have. They have a number of unusual calls that are quite pleasant to the ear, however they can also let out a raucous screech when they become alarmed or excited, unfortunately this is what people mostly remember. They are a high maintenance bird, in that they require to be fed their soft food daily. They may not be suitable to some suburban backyards depending on how much noise they generate and how tolerant the neighbours are.
BEHAVIOR
Eclectus make wonderful pets and have excellent talking abilities. They also love to mimic their favourite sounds, such as microwaves, laughter, opera, and sneezing. They are adventure and love to explore new places and people.
Eclectus are very playful and enjoy hanging upside down in their cages and flapping their wings, playing with toys and interaction with other birds. They are very tidy and can be easily potty trained. Also, they do not throw their food. Many experts have written the smaller Solomon Island Eclectus are the most calm and docile of the Eclectus species. They are generally quiet, non-chewers, non-screamers, and since they live in colonies in the wild, they tend to bond to a family rather than just one person.
Eclectus are very intelligent and focus their eyes on their owner to closely observe every movement. They show interest not only in you but also in everyone and everything around them. They love to explore and usually show little fear.
The female of the Eclectus species is the dominant gender, and many people find that when the infant female reaches puberty, she becomes aggressive. This is simply those hormones talking, and the female needs her space during these mood swings. Don’t we all lol. This is strictly an instinctive behaviour and not meanness. The male is very subservient and probably makes the least moody pet. The tameness of any pet parrot depends on the amount of direct attention, play time, handling, and interaction with its handler and other birds as an infant. Even the moody female will eventually mellow out as she matures.