Eclectus Parrots often come across to people as a lethargic boring bird. This is far from the truth & in my opinion a very miss understood parrot. Eclectus Parrots appear to behave like this when they’re nervous or frightened. This is usually when a new Eclectus has arrived into a home. Everything is overwhelming for the Eclectus, new home, new people & pets, new surroundings. Over time of getting used to their new home & owners they do come out of their shell. When this happens you will be pleasantly surprised by what they will do, what they’re willing to do for you & how amusing they can often become.
Many people often assume their Eclectus is never
frightened because they have never seen them
suddenly take off with fright. The Eclectus is not
known to freak out & take flight suddenly. Their
reaction is very different. Instead they do the
“Eclectus freeze”. When frightened instead of
frantically taking off they become completely
motionless.
The Eclectus Parrot requires 10 to 12 hours of sleep
per night. If they occasionally don’t get the sleep
required they can often make up for this by napping
throughout the day. They’re not known to become
grumpy over lack of sleep
Many people often assume their Eclectus is never
frightened because they have never seen them
suddenly take off with fright. The Eclectus is not
known to freak out & take flight suddenly. Their
reaction is very different. Instead they do the
“Eclectus freeze”. When frightened instead of
frantically taking off they become completely
motionless.
The Eclectus Parrot requires 10 to 12 hours of sleep
per night. If they occasionally don’t get the sleep
required they can often make up for this by napping
throughout the day. They’re not known to become
grumpy over lack of sleep
There had been rumours that suggest in Australia we don’t have toe tapping, wing flipping or other pellet related health issues because our pellet brands are different to those in the US or UK. It does appear that we have had less of these health issues in our Eclectus Parrots in Australia in the past, but but the number of these health issues growing in Australian Eclectus parrots is on the increase.
Eclectus parrots have an odour many people say the Eclectus odour is not like any other parrots.
Most Eclectus owners say their birds odours is either sweet like honey or a musky smell. But the odour that you smell can also have a lot to do with your own sense of smell, well don’t all smell the same things.
What they’ve just eaten can also impact on their body odour. For instance, if you have recently fed your Eclectus a sweet fruit like mango or pineapple, they will smell sweet for a short period.
I love the smell of eucalyptus so I offer my Eclectus eucalyptus leaves & flowers often. The eucalyptus smell comes out through my Eclectus very strong. His ’normal’ odour, to me is a mild musky smell.
Eclectus parrots odours can also come across as being stronger than usual during breeding & hormonal periods.
Most Eclectus owners say their birds odours is either sweet like honey or a musky smell. But the odour that you smell can also have a lot to do with your own sense of smell, well don’t all smell the same things.
What they’ve just eaten can also impact on their body odour. For instance, if you have recently fed your Eclectus a sweet fruit like mango or pineapple, they will smell sweet for a short period.
I love the smell of eucalyptus so I offer my Eclectus eucalyptus leaves & flowers often. The eucalyptus smell comes out through my Eclectus very strong. His ’normal’ odour, to me is a mild musky smell.
Eclectus parrots odours can also come across as being stronger than usual during breeding & hormonal periods.
Water tap water can contain many chemicals in it which can cause health problems in parrots & burn. Some tap water can also be distasteful to parrots & they may refuse to drink causing dehydration. Rainwater, bottled or filtered water are recommended & the drinking water should be kept clean. Distilled water should not be used as normal drinking water. Distilled water has all the good minerals you want removed out.
Bowls stainless steel food & drink bowls are a better choice than plastic. Over time e-coli is able to embed itself into plastic, no matter how often you scrub your bowls. Nothing can remove e-coli once it’s embedded into plastic. E-coli cannot embed itself into stainless steel, though you still need to keep stainless steel bowl clean & fresh to keep e-coli away.
Beak & nail Care can usually be done by offering your bird a variety of branches, different sizes & textures. If the natural branches are the correct size they will file down your birds nails. Non textured perches such as the dowels that come with cages should be removed. If your bird only ever uses these their feet will become quite sore & sensitive. Allowing your bird to have textured & different shaped branches will keep his feet healthy. Natural perches are also required for your bird to groom & file his beak.
Never use sand paper for the floor of a cage or sand paper rolls or perches. Ingesting in the sand & the glue used to make the sand stick can be very hazardous to your bird. Having your bird walk over sand perches can also cause sores on their feet.
Exercise is a must for all Eclectus parrots. A healthy Eeclectus should be full of energy & on the move. They’re monkeys! So give them a gym & room to move, plenty of toys. An Eclectus that has not been offered these things at a young age will most likely become a perch potato & not know what to do with these sort of things. Introducing them to all these things at an early age makes a difference.
Bowls stainless steel food & drink bowls are a better choice than plastic. Over time e-coli is able to embed itself into plastic, no matter how often you scrub your bowls. Nothing can remove e-coli once it’s embedded into plastic. E-coli cannot embed itself into stainless steel, though you still need to keep stainless steel bowl clean & fresh to keep e-coli away.
Beak & nail Care can usually be done by offering your bird a variety of branches, different sizes & textures. If the natural branches are the correct size they will file down your birds nails. Non textured perches such as the dowels that come with cages should be removed. If your bird only ever uses these their feet will become quite sore & sensitive. Allowing your bird to have textured & different shaped branches will keep his feet healthy. Natural perches are also required for your bird to groom & file his beak.
Never use sand paper for the floor of a cage or sand paper rolls or perches. Ingesting in the sand & the glue used to make the sand stick can be very hazardous to your bird. Having your bird walk over sand perches can also cause sores on their feet.
Exercise is a must for all Eclectus parrots. A healthy Eeclectus should be full of energy & on the move. They’re monkeys! So give them a gym & room to move, plenty of toys. An Eclectus that has not been offered these things at a young age will most likely become a perch potato & not know what to do with these sort of things. Introducing them to all these things at an early age makes a difference.
Eclectus parrots are highly intelligent with a strong social nature. Bacuase of this they require high physical & emotional security from their owner as well as a balanced diet, routies & daily play. A good supply of toys & social interactions will prevent boredom & behaviours. Emotional interaction will keep the Eclectus stimulated & play will keep them busy.
Daily routine is recommended to be similar to that of the wild Eclectus with feedings & social contact at similar times of the day.
In the wild rain is regularly an occurance for bathing & in captivity they should get regular bathing.
Daily routine is recommended to be similar to that of the wild Eclectus with feedings & social contact at similar times of the day.
In the wild rain is regularly an occurance for bathing & in captivity they should get regular bathing.
Eclectus Parrots can easily be trained without using food as a reward.
Good behaviour should be immediately rewarded with positive praises or extra play time or cuddles. Persisting in doing this, the bird will learn quickly the reasons for the praise & respond well.
Good behaviour should be immediately rewarded with positive praises or extra play time or cuddles. Persisting in doing this, the bird will learn quickly the reasons for the praise & respond well.
Eclectus Odours