Originating from the Indonesian islands, Solomon Islands and Northern Australia.

The nominate being the Grand Eclectus. Reported as being nine sub species including Vosmaeri and Red Sided, these 2 sub species being the most commonly once available in the UK.

Once available commonly as many thousands were imported during the 1980's and 1990's.

Eclectus Parrots are sexually dimorphic. Meaning the female and male are very different in appearance.

Male and female birds were originally thought to be different species.

They are extremely long lived provided they have a suitable diet. See our page Parrot Diet

Diet is so important

Which should consist of up to 80% fresh food items in the form of fruit and vegetables, some protein in the form of cooked chicken, pulses, some soaked seed.

Their diet should not consist of mainly dry seed. Eclectus Parrots do not 'do well' on a seed based diet (more so than many other parrots) and their health and longevity will be severely compromised with an inadequate diet.

Pet potential

Many Eclectus are sold as hand reared pets. This is however only usually the males.

Female Eclectus parrots are less inclined to be 'good pet potential' because of their dominant nature. Males are thought to be in general 'nicer natured'

Breeding Eclectus Parrots

This fact above making them difficult tp pair for breeding. As the female is almost always the dominant partner in any pairing.

Very often the males are afraid to approach the female for mating, and so many people keep pairs of Eclectus parrots for years without any offspring being produced.

Nervous & Gentle

They are in general nervous natured parrots, particularly so the males.

All in all the Eclectus Parrots are not generally easy birds to keep happy and healthy and definitely not a parrot for the beginner, no matter what the breeder/seller may tell you.