How to Care for an Eclectus Parrot

The gender of Eclectus parrots are one of the few bird species that are easy to distinguish: males are primarily green, while females have red bodies with splashes of blue and purple in their feathers. Hailing from Australia and with an average lifespan of 30 years, Eclectus parrots can make rewarding pets if they are cared for properly. Here are some suggestions on how to care for your Eclectus parrot.

Things You'll Need

  • Aviary or cage
  • Adequate food
  • Clean water
  • Toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy either a large cage (as in large enough for a Macaw parrot to feel comfortable in) or aviary for your parrot. They need lots of exercise to both fly and climb, so make sure the cage is large and tall enough. Decorate it with plenty of toys (a ladder and swing are a good start), and make sure that you have a piece of wood or wood toy for them to chew on, to prevent overplucking with they groom their plummage. Keep it clean and change the water daily.

    • 2

      Let your Eclectus out of his cage for at least an hour a day. Make sure their play area is free of possible hazards. If possible, buy a young hatchling who was handfed and use this time to bond with your parrot.

    • 3

      Avoid overfeeding your Eclectus too many supplements and vitamins. Their digestive tract is different from most parrots, and all they need is good, natural foods like greens, fruits and vegetables like cantaloupe, carrots, red and green bell peppers, kale and other greens. Make sure you wash the produce thoroughly.

    • 4

      Let them sleep soundly. Eclectus parrots need on average 10 hours of sleep a day, so allow for little naps throughout the day. Cover their cage at night to maximize the quality of their sleep.

    • 5

      Teach them to talk. Like African Grays and other talking parrots, Eclectus pick up speech easily, especially when they are young. Focus on a word or phrase by repeating it over and over until your parrots picks it up.