The Basics:

Eclectus Parrots have become a favorite of bird lovers because of their laid back personality, uncanny ability to read moods and bond with people, soft voice and striking beauty.  The soft hair-like plumage around the head and vivid coloration gives these birds an impressive artistic look. Other than their special dietary requirements, they are relatively straightforward to care for. Although they are less demanding than most parrots and can readily amuse themselves, they do not respond well to being neglected or ignored. Females are bigger, more dominant and more aggressive than males.

Cage:

The intelligent, active Eclectus Parrot loves to play and climb, both of which require space. His cage should measure at least 46” long by 36” wide by 42” high. Spacing between the bars should be ¾” to 1”, so the Eclectus cannot stick his head through.

CAUTION

In most cases, more space is more desirable for birds. However, when increasing the size of a Eclectus Parrot’s cage, the bird’s human companion must be careful to maintain a safe (narrow) space between the bars. The bars of a cage have to be narrow enough to prevent a bird from sticking his head in between. Bars that are spaced too far apart for the bird’s size can result in serious and even fatal injuries.

Positioning The Cage:

A sociable, friendly and emotionally deep bird, the Eclectus Parrot needs to be close to his human companions. Positioning his cage in a family room or other area where there is a lot of activity is a good idea. However, it’s important to provide the bird with a sense of security by placing his cage in an area that is not in the direct traffic path of his human companions. Ideally the cage should be placed with a wall near two of its sides, so no family member can walk all the way around it.

Eclectus Parrots are quiet birds that do not do very well around loud noises. So, if a room has boisterous children playing in it, families arguing in it, or televisions blaring in it, the bird’s cage should be elsewhere.

Areas exposed to direct sunlight or drafts should be avoided when choosing a spot for a bird’s cage. Any place in or near a kitchen should also be off-limits, since smoke from cooking and fumes from nonstick cookware can prove can cause serious, even fatal, complications for a bird.

Playthings:

Eclectus Parrots require lots of toys to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Toys made specifically for parrots are necessary for safety, due to the size and beak strength of an Eclectus. They also enjoy swings and ropes. Rotation may be required to keep these birds entertained and free of boredom.  This intelligent bird enjoys playing puzzle-type games.

Perches:

Perches should be a variety of textures; around 1” in diameter, though at least two should be of natural wood. A perch should be placed in front of, but not above, food and water dishes.

Play Time Outside The Cage:

Eclectus Parrots require ample time outside of their cage for mental and physical exercise, as well as bonding with their human companions. Many Eclectus Parrots will enjoy playing games with their owners. Play gyms serve an important function as a method of keeping a bird busy and entertained while outside of the cage, especially when they afford the Eclectus Parrot an opportunity to climb. The wings of an Eclectus Parrot should be clipped by a veterinarian or grooming professional to prevent flying injuries and escapes.

Grooming:

Consult veterinarian or literature about trimming nails and possibly flight feathers.

Bird needs supervised bath or misting with chlorine-free water at least every other day. Water must be lukewarm to room temperature. Avoid drafts. Remove bath bowl when finished. Bathing seems to be one of the Eclectus Parrot’s favorite activities.

Diet:

The Eclectus Parrot has special dietary needs. Living in treetops, it evolved a very efficient digestive system that is very good at extracting the maximum amount of nutrients out of food. Packaged pellet diets are too nutrient-rich for the Eclectus Parrot, and they should play a limited role in the bird’s diet. It is critically important to provide the Eclectus Parrot with a variety of healthy vegetables and fruits on a regular basis.  About 75-80% percent of the Eclectus Parrot’s diet should be a mix of leafy greens, sprouted and soaked legumes and brown rice, and vegetables such as carrots, squash, corn and peas and a chopped fruit such as a green apple, pear or melon. Fruits and vegetables should be rinsed, dried and chopped before being offered to this bird.  The remaining 20-25% of the diet can consist of pellets, preferably colorless ones. Many experts believe that Eclectus parrots are prone to obesity, so calorie-dense foods such as nuts and seeds should be give only as a rare treat.  Provide additional calcium i.e. cuttlebone during egg laying.

A Note About Water:

All water given to birds for drinking, as well as water used for misting, soaking or bathing must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals.  (Not all home water filtration systems remove 100% of the chlorine and heavy metals from tap water, so check your system's specifications before using it to filter water for your pet.) We recommend that you use unflavored bottled drinking water or bottled natural spring water and never untreated tap water. Do not use distilled water, which can cause severe medical problems, since it lacks minerals that are essential to important body functions.