How to Keep an Eclectus Parrot

If you are looking for a parrot to keep in your house or apartment, a colorful Eclectus parrot may be a good candidate. Eclectus parrots are among the most brilliantly colored members of the parrot family. The males are brilliant green with yellow and orange beaks, while the females are bright red with a deep blue-purple color under their wings and on their abdomens. The Eclectus -- a midsize, generally easy-to-care-for parrot -- makes a good pet because it is intelligent, with good talking abilities, but is generally not a screamer.

Things You'll Need

  • Appropriate size cage (at least 3 feet x 4 feet x 5 feet)
  • Appropriate perches, toys, etc.
  • Pelleted food (non-colored)
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
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Instructions

  1. Housing the Eclectus

    • 1

      Get a cage that is as large as possible; stainless steel is the best material, but powder-coated aluminum is fine. An adult Eclectus will be 13 inches to 14 inches long, so the cage should be at least 3 feet by 4 feet by 5 feet. Make sure the bird can fully stretch out its wings in the cage. A cage that is too small will cause added stress and boredom on the Eclectus.

    • 2

      Set the cage up with several perches, as well as a variety of toys. Eclectus parrots are intelligent birds and may become bored if they have nothing to do. Boredom can lead to irritability and self-destructive behaviors, like feather picking. Make sure that the bird can move around the cage and is not so crowded that he cannot do a full wing stretch. Avoid sandpaper-coated perches and plain wood dowels, as these are bad for the Eclectus' feet. Since Eclectus parrots are treetop foragers in nature, be sure to place some toys, especially foraging toys, high up in the cage.

    • 3

      Line the cage with newspaper to catch droppings. Newspaper is the best material for a cage floor or under a grate; other linings, such as coconut husks or wood shavings, can become a medium for fungus growth.

    • 4

      Clean the cage regularly, preferably every day, using nontoxic cleaning agents. A 1:10 solution of vinegar and water works well. Scrub off food residue and fecal matter; make sure you clean off the toys and perches if they have anything on them that might serve as a medium for bacterial growth. Take the parrot out of the cage during cleaning time.

    • 5

      Make sure that the Eclectus has sufficient out-of-cage time. Parrots are social creatures and need to feel like they are part of a flock to avoid stress. They should have a minimum of an hour a day out of the cage, but preferably more. If your Eclectus seems stressed, it may be because it needs more out-of-cage time.

    Feeding the Eclectus

    • 6

      Give your parrot food at regular times, and have some food, preferably dry pellets that can't spoil, available at all times. Avoid pellets that contain artificial coloring.

    • 7

      Provide fresh produce daily. This may be combined with frozen vegetables, which can be microwaved until unfrozen. Eclectus parrots may become mineral-deficient, so fresh fruits and vegetables are very important. Emphasize vegetables with beta carotine, such as carrots, sweet potatoes and peppers, as well as dark leafy greens, like swiss chard, dandelion greens and broccoli. Eclectus parrots are particularly known as fruit-eaters, so fruit should make up about 30 percent of their diet. Your parrot will have its own particular tastes and favorites, so experiment with different fruits and vegetables to find a healthy mix that your Eclectus enjoys.

    • 8

      Avoid giving your bird avocado, raw onion, chocolate or rhubarb. These can be toxic to parrots.