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Overview
The
eclectus
pronounced
“ek-lek-tus”
are
an
unusual
species
of
parrot
originating
from
the
north
of
Australia
across
the
Indonesian
Islands
right
up
to
New
Guinea.
These
beautiful
birds
are
known
as
sexually
dimorphic
-
the
males
are
virtually
green,
females
are
mainly
red.
When
they
were
originally
discovered
it
was
thought
both
colours
were
two
different
species
hence
why
their
name
“eclectus”
comes
from
the
word
“eclectic”
meaning
“from
different
sources”.
As
well
as
their
striking
colours,
eclectus
have
a
unique
feather
growth
which
is
almost
hair
like
especially
on
their
heads
giving
it
a
fur
like
appearance, this feature is only present in a very small number of parrot species such as the lories.
In
the
wild
studies
have
shown
eclectus
live
in
lowland
jungle
and
most
of
their
food
supply
comes
from
the
upper
layers
of
the
tree’s.
Eclectus
are
a
polygamous
species,
in
other
words
females
will
mate
with
a
number
of
different
males
and
vice
versa.
Eclectus
nest
in
hollows
high
up
in
tree’s
and
the
females
defend
these
against
any
other
females.
Studies
have
shown
that
females
will
spend
up
to
11
months
of
the
year
in
their
nests
raising
young.
Eclectus
will
breed
all
year
round
and
there
is
no
distinctive
breeding
season.
Males
will
spend
most
of
the
time
foraging
and
bringing
food
back
to
the
females.
A
single
female
may
have
up
to
five
different
males
regularly
bringing
her
food
and
this
is
probably
the
reason
why
there
is
a
high
number
of
males
to
females,
although
this
could
be attributed to the high visibility of males whilst the females are not visible in their nests.
It
is
widely
believed
that
the
colour
of
the
eclectus
plays
a
very
important
role
as
camouflage
for
both
the
males
in
the
dark
green
canopy
where
they
spend
the
majority
of
their
time
foraging
as
is
the
case
with
the
females
who
spend
the
majority of their time in the dark interior of their nest hollow.
Eclectus
lay
two
eggs
on
average,
the
eggs
are
white
in
colour
and
the
total
incubation
is
solely
carried
out
by
the
female.
The
male’s
role
is
to
feed
the
female
whilst
she
is
incubating
and
later
on
to
provide
food
for
the
chicks.
The
chicks
hatch
after
28
days
of
constant
incubation
and
they
are
born
both
naked
and
blind.
Development
of
the
chicks
is
quite
fast
with
eyes
opening
at
13-16
days
and
shortly
after
a
dark
down
covering.
Feather
quills
begin
to
emerge
at
around
four
weeks
and
from
here
you
can
see
the
actual
colour
and
in
effect
the
gender
of
the
chick.
Coinciding
with
the
full
feather
growth
the
young
reach
independence
at
around
12-16
weeks
of
age.
Both
parents
continue
to
feed
the
babies
and
usually
the
female
will
lay
and
start
the
whole
cycle
again
whilst
the
babies
are
taken
care
of
by
the
males.
The
young
eclectus
become
sexually
mature
aged
3-4
years
although
one
of
my
females
has laid at two years.
Eclectus
have
an
unusually
long
digestive
tract
compared
to
other
parrots
hence
why
they
have
an
important
requirement
for
a
high
fibre
diet.
The
wild
eclectus
is
primarily
a
fruit
eater
supplementing
it’s
diet
with
nuts,
leaf
shoots
and
flowers
possibly
including
nectar.
The
high
fibre
that
is
referred
to
is
related
to
the
tropical
fruits
and
in
particular
mangoes,
paw
paw,
passion
fruit,
papaya
and
so
on.
It
is
not
known to what extent eclectus may eat animal protein but it is believed they will eat insects and grubs.