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| Photo by osseous |
s have an unusually long digestive track that gives them the ability to efficiently extract nutrients from their food. As a result, they must have a very balanced and specific diet to help them stay well. In general organic foods are tastier, and healthier because they avoid the use of pesticides and chemicals. Here are 6 components necessary to keep your Eclectus properly fed and healthy.
Fiber - Because their digestive tracks are unusually long, fiber is necessary to keep the track clear and food properly moving through it. This can be fed to them in the form of legumes such as slightly softened garbanzo, fava, lentils, and soybeans as well as whole grains.
Fruits - They also enjoys and benefit greatly from fresh organic fruits such as apples, bananas, mangos, grapes, pomegranate seeds, watermelon, papaya, and oranges. Rotate new fruits as they come in season, and use thawed frozen fruits when fresh are not available.
Dark Leafy Green Vegetables - The darker the leaf, the more nutrients it contains. So kale, mustard and dandelion greens, Swiss chard, spinach, beet and carrot tops are excellent sources of nutrients and should be chopped into small pieces to make them easier to eat.
Other vegetables should include corn on the cob, broccoli, green beans and peas, and okra. Prone to have a Vitamin A deficiency, foods high in Beta Carotene should also be fed regularly as they are excellent natural sources of Vitamin A. Cooked carrots, yams, and sweet potatoes should be staples in their diet.
Seeds and Nuts - Sprouted seeds are best because they are living plants, low in fat, and provide different nutrients daily as they continue to grow. Sprouts are one of the healthiest foods you can feed your bird. There are kits available that allow you to do it yourself, or you can buy seeds that are already sprouted. Be sure to provide them daily. As for nuts, young birds still need some fat to develop properly, but nuts should be fed sparingly to mature birds as they contain large amounts of fat that can cause health problems stemming from obesity. However, an occasional nut (one) for a mature bird can serve as a tasty treat.
Pellets - Theoretically pellets are a great concept. Having all the nutrients packed into each tiny piece would seem to be a great way to ensure a healthy diet. However, some pellet mixes contain excessive sugar which can lead to kidney problems; and artificial coloring, preservatives, and flavoring that many pellet mixes contain can cause toxicity. Even the organic pellets which do not contain preservatives can make it easier for bacteria and fungus to grow-- which can pose serious health issues to your bird if ingested. So fresh foods always trump pellets. And if you decide to use them, they should be of a very high quality and comprise a minute portion of the total diet. Avoid colored pellets at all costs as they prevent the Eclectus from producing properly colored feathers and beaks.
Table Food - Scrambled eggs that are thoroughly cooked, cooked rice and beans, and a cracker are all fine on occasion. Birds are lactose intolerant so dairy products should be avoided unless they are lactose-free. Foods with high salt content should also be avoided. Chocolate, avocado, alcohol, rhubarb and foods with caffeine are toxic and can lead to the swift demise of your Eclectus or any bird.
The Eclectus Parrot
is an enthusiastic eater and will thank you for providing a healthy diet with many years of love and devotion.
is an enthusiastic eater and will thank you for providing a healthy diet with many years of love and devotion.
has developed the complex breeding tradition in this crowded vegetative environment, resulting in communal reproduction where uncles and aunties assist rear young inside a crèche -like situation. This discussing and caring function of the Eclectus makes them normally the perfect pet.
is considered by many to be the most beautiful. Eclectus are not just beautiful, however. They are also great talkers, repeating many words and phrases, and singing songs. If you have more than one Eclectus, they will sing and talk to one another as well as to their human friends.
from New Guinea, to the north of Australia. It is the most popular Eclectus in Australia, and highly popular in other lands as well. With plumage that seems to be hair rather than feathers, the male sports emerald green with blue in the bend of his wings When he flies, red flashes from beneath the wings. The female has a red head, maroon body, deep blue to purple breast feathers, and a tail that ends in a pale red-pink to orange.
native to Bismarck and the Solomon Islands, north of Australia. Males have yellow-tinted green bodies with dark blue wings, edged in green. The upper side of the tail is green with yellow edging. The underside of the tail is black, edged with a thin band of pale yellow. Females have stunning red plumage, with dark blue under-wings and a band of dark blue running to the nape. Wings are the same as the male – red-tails have pale edging.
native to Moluccas, Indonesia. Males have a bright green body, with oval patches of bright red on upper thighs, widening across the body when wings open. The tail is blackish blue, tipped with pale yellow. Females have bright lavender breasts, with red bodies and heads. The nape of the neck, upper mantle, and wing bend show deep lavender. The wings are deep red, tails cadmium-yellow beneath, dark red on top, and a band of yellow.
is coral with a bright yellow tip, while the lower part of its bill is black. The eyes of this small parrot, which can grow to as large as 14 inches, are brown. The female Eclectus, on the other hand, has bright red plumage. You will notice that the back, base of the tail, and the wings of the female are deep red. Moreover, you will also find a purplish blue band on the body and tips of the auxiliary wings. Lastly, the mandibles of the female are black.
t type is quite calm and peaceful when it is inside the cage. In fact, many parrot owners say that the Eclectus is one of the quietest of all parrot breeds. Even when this parrot is dispirited and lonely, you will not hear it complain or make irritating cries. However, make sure that it does not become too lively or agitated so that you won't hear its infamous "Crrah" sound that some people say can be ear piercing.
is simple. Aside from giving it fruits and nuts, you also need to provide it with fresh vegetables regularly.
is one of the most popular pet birds. They are colorful, fun loving, and intelligent companions that live upwards of 50 years. Making a commitment like this means doing your homework first so that you understand fully the challenges and rewards of having an 