Eclectus Parrot
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Male-Female Eclectus Parrots |
PARROTS IN GENERAL:
Parrots are gaily and boldly colored birds. Their plumage, which is evenly but thinly distributed over their bodies, consists of patches of solid color, often sharply contrasting one with another.
All parrots share a number of distinctive features. The most obvious of these is the characteristic parrot bill which consists of a downward-curving and somewhat hooked upper mandible which fits neatly over a smaller, upward-curving lower mandible.
The feet of parrots are also unusual. The two outer toes of the foot point backwards and grip in opposition to the two forward pointing inner toes. This provides them with an extremely powerful grasp, enabling them to hold and manipulate objects close to their bill.
Most parrots are tree-dwellers, and they tend to be most plentiful in and around lowland tropical forests. They feed on fruits, especially wild figs, seed, nuts, berries, buds and blossoms.
Parrots nest in holes, usually in trees, but sometimes among rocks or in termite mounds. The two to five white eggs hatch after about three weeks. The helpless young are fed by both parents on predigested food that is regurgitated.
ECLECTUS PARROT:
There are several subspecies of eclectus parrots and the female feather color patterns in those subspecies vary according to the subspecies, from having a blue breast and belly ( E. r. aruensis, E. r. biaki, E. r. polychloros, and E. r. solomonensis), to having a lavender breast (E. r. vosmaeri) or purple breast (E. r. roratus). Males will also vary from a bright yellowish green (E. r. solomonensis and E. r. vosmaeri) to a dark emerald green (E. r. polychloros, E. r. biaki and E. r. aruensis).
DISTRIBUTION:
Eclectus parrots are found in Lesser Sundas, Solomon islands, New Guinea, and NE Australia. In the early 1980's they were found to be among the most common parrots in the Moluccan Islands. They are birds of lowland forests and clumps of tall trees.
BEHAVIOR:
These birds are strong fliers and on long flights, they fly high above the forest canopy. Calling loudly, pairs or small parties travel widely through the upper canopy in search of fruits, nuts, nectar and leaf buds. In the evening they engage in display flights before gathering in large groups of up to 80 birds to roost for the night.
They have two distinct calls. In flight a harsh, screeching is repeated three or four times. While feeding they have a wailing cry or a mellow flute-like call.
DIET:
Eclectus parrots feed on fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, leaf buds, blossoms and nectar, all of which are procured mainly in the treetops.
GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION:
The nest is in a hole in the trunk of a tall tree standing near the edge of the forest or in a clearing in the forest.
Two eggs are laid on wood chips lining the bottom of the hollow. The female, who sits at the nest, is fed at frequent intervals by the male. Only the female broods, and does so for 28 days. She leaves the nest about twice a day to be fed by the male. The young birds leave the nest at a little over 12 weeks after hatching.
