Latin name: Eclectus roratus

 

Species rarely imported into France.

 

Listed in Annex II of the Washington Convention.

 

This parrot is spectacular with a clear sexual dimorphism.

 

Height: 33 to 38 cm.

Weight: 400 to 600g.

Colour: The male is green and the female red and dotted with purple. The male’s beak is horn-coloured and the female’s black.

 

The distribution of colours varies depending on the region of origin.

 

Towards the third week, the first feathers will help determine the bird’s sex. In our example in the photo, the feathers are red, from which we can conclude that it is a female.

 

Subspecies differ in height as well as colour variations in the plumage and in the circle around the eyes.

 

In couples, the female dominates the male who is often docile. Even when born in captivity, the female is often aggressive. Outside the reproductive period, the couple often ignores one another (near absence of mutual grooming).

 

Birds up for sale are born in captivity in Europe but – unlike with the African Grey – such birds do not like "caresses". 

 

They are calm and infrequently screech but their voice is powerful and hoarse. They can learn several words and speak with a soft voice. They are clearly the polar opposite of what one “expects” of a parrot: that is, a cuddly and playful bird.

 

They deserve our love and attention because they are quite simply unique!

 

Their diet is trickier: they require fruit and vegetables as daily supplements. In the canopy, they feed on fruit, berries, buds, pollen, etc.

 

The Eclectus includes many subspecies living in the forests of the Moluccas, Papua New Guinea, Cape York in Australia, the Solomon Islands, etc. The exact number in the wild is not known and their main threat is the destruction of their forest habitat (except for the population living in Cape York in Australia).

The map below is currently available only in French. An English version will soon be made available.