The Solomon Islands Eclectus is a colorful parrot that makes for a great feathery friend.
It has been ranked as one of the best birds to keep as a pet.
Appearance
The male Eclectus has green plumage with red and blue streaks going down its sides. There is also a little bit of yellow on the underside of the tail.
Females have bright red plumage with streaks of dark blue under their wings. There is no yellow coloration at all, but a little bit of light green.
These medium-size birds measure an average of 35 centimeters or 14 inches long. They can grow up to 16 ounces.
Solomon Islands Eclectus Lifespan
Eclectus birds can easily live up to 30 years if they are properly cared for.
The Solomon Islands Eclectus’s Personality
These birds are known for being very smart and affectionate. They are also incredibly gentle, so you can have them around small children without any issues. You will, however, need to teach your kids how to behave around them. Eclectus parrots do not respond well to loud noises or erratic movements.
Females are known for being territorial, particularly in mating season. These birds do well together in pairs, but the female is almost always the more dominant of the couple. You will need to keep this in mind if you have a male and female in the same cage.
The generally calm temperament of these birds makes them a good pet for just about anyone. You just have to be equally as calm when you are handling them.
Natural Habitat
The Eclectus parrot can be found in tropical rainforests throughout certain parts of Australia, New Guinea, Moluccas, and Indonesia. They are known for building their nests high in the trees. These birds thrive in monsoon forests in the wild.
Solomon Islands Eclectus Care Guide
1. Solomon Islands Eclectus Diet
The Eclectus feeds on fruits, leaf buds, flowers, nuts, and figs in the wild. It is important that you give your bird plenty of whole fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
These birds need more than just seeds, as they don’t provide them with all of the protein, calcium and vitamins they need to stay healthy. They don’t need any grit, and giving it to them can actually pose a health risk.
You will need to minimize the amount of fat in this bird’s diet. Too much of these foods can contribute to the development of fatty tumors and mineral toxicity. You also want to make sure that they get plenty of fiber on a daily basis.
Try to give your Eclectus fruit that is packed with vitamin A, such as mango, melon, papaya, bananas, and cantaloupe. These birds love fruits, so they will eat it right up.
Any fresh or soaked foods need to be swapped out each day so that they do not become contaminated with bacteria. Failing to do this could result in a serious infection for your bird.
2. Environment
While the Eclectus is a smaller bird, you will still need to give it a cage where it will have a decent amount of room to fly around. The enclosure should be no smaller than 5 by 5 by 5 feet. These birds really like to play around, so you don’t want to keep them in a cramped enclosure.
You can use newspaper or paper towels to line the bottom of the cage. Another option is to use wood pellets or aspen shavings to create a sort of bed for the bird. You should not use any cedar or shavings, as they are too abrasive.
Any perches that you put in the cage should be at least four inches long. This will allow the bird to stretch out its wings completely while perched. The perches should be made of native plants.
Make sure that you have toys in the age, as these birds enjoy playing and need to be stimulated. They sleep an average of 10 hours, so you might want to get a night cage. You’ll want to keep a blanket over the cage or have it in a room that can be easily darkened.
It is best to keep the cage in an area where people regularly are. These birds are social and need to be around people often.
3. Common Health Problems
Eclectus parrots sometimes develop problems with feather plucking, which can be caused by boredom/lack of stimulation. This likely means that it isn’t getting enough exposure to people.
These birds can also develop bacterial and fungal infections, which can become serious very quickly. If you notice a lack of appetite or sudden weight loss, it is important to bring your bird to the vet right away.
Beak and Feather Disease is also sometimes an issue with these birds. This is a very contagious condition that can be treated but not cured.
Due to the small size of these birds, they can easily choke on small objects. This is why you should never give them any toys with small parts.
Solomon Islands Eclectus Price
A Solomon Islands Eclectus parrot can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,600. The price largely depends on the age and sex of the bird.
Conclusion
- The Eclectus parrot can grow up to 14 inches long with a maximum weight of 16 ounces.
- These birds can live for up to 30 years with proper overall care.
- The intelligence and affectionate nature of these parrots makes them a great pet choice for many people.
- Eclectuses do well with small children, but they need to be taught how to handle them properly.
- You can feed this bird a combination of seeds, fruits, and vegetables. They need a low-fat diet that is higher in fiber and vitamin A.
- The cage that you put your Eclectus in should be at least 5 by 5 by 5 feet.
- Provide your parrot with at least one or two perches that are no smaller than four feet across.
- Put the cage in a part of your home where people normally are.
- If your bird doesn’t receive enough social stimulation, they could start to exhibit self harming behaviors.
- You could pay up to $2,600 for one of these birds.
