Also called Eclectus, Moluccan eclectus, Grand eclectus, Vosmaeri eclectus, Solomon Island eclectus
SpeciesDeep profile
From Islands of eastern Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the tip of Cape York Peninsula in northern Australia. The Moluccan eclectus (E. roratus) lives on the Maluku Islands, while the Papuan eclectus (E. polychloros) ranges from the Kai Islands across New Guinea and nearby archipelagos to the Solomons and Cape York. It favours tropical rainforest and monsoon forest.123
LafeberVet gives 30-40 years as typical in captivity with 50-60 reported as a maximum; Wikipedia notes reported lifespans ranging from about 20 to over 60 years.
Intelligent and comparatively quiet for a parrot of its size
Good mimic of speech and other sounds
Spectacular colours, with red females and green males
Feathered; stocky, short-tailed parrot with striking colour difference between the sexes
A chunky, medium-sized parrot around 31-37 cm long, with a short square tail and a wingspan near 50 cm. The two sexes look like different birds. Males are a glossy bright green with a yellowish tinge on the head, blue in the flight feathers, red on the flanks and under the wings, and a candy-corn beak of orange fading to yellow. Females are a deep, rich red with purple to blue on the chest and mantle, and an all-black beak. The body feathers are fine and almost hair-like, giving a soft, silky look. Adults have yellow-orange eyes, while youngsters start with dark eyes.1534
ColoursMale: bright green with red flanks and underwings, blue flight feathersFemale: deep red with purple to blue chest and mantleBlue mutation (recessive)13
Personality what they are like
A bright, observant bird that tends to be calmer and quieter than many parrots of similar size. Eclectus can learn to copy words and household sounds and also make soft coos, whistles and laughs. Hens often have a bolder, more assertive nature, while cocks can be gentler and a little more reserved, so a hen may suit a keeper who already has some parrot experience. They often like time to get used to new things before joining in.431
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Needs daily time out of the cage to climb, stretch and fly where safe, plus chewing toys and foraging tasks to keep its clever mind busy. In the wild males travel long distances each day to find food, so regular movement and exploring suit this bird well.41
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Offer regular baths or gentle misting to help keep the plumage in good order, and provide perches of about 2.5 cm diameter plus safe chewing items to wear down the beak naturally. A diet rich in fresh produce is central to everyday care for this species.4
Home where they are happiest
A strong, roomy cage of at least 61 x 91 x 122 cm is the suggested minimum, with bar spacing of 1.9-3.8 cm and perches around 2.5 cm across. Larger is better, together with a safe play area outside the cage. Its native home is warm, humid tropical forest.43
Food basics what goes in the bowl
In the wild it eats mostly fruit, figs, unripe nuts, flower and leaf buds, nectar and some seeds. Eclectus have an unusually long digestive tract suited to fibre-rich food, so a pet diet should lean on a good formulated diet plus plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Grit is not needed.143
Company who they like around
A social parrot that lives in groups in the wild and does best with daily interaction, training and company. In nature a single female may be looked after by several males, and dominant pairs can have helper birds, so this is a species built around cooperation.613
The story where it all began
The Moluccan eclectus was described by Müller in 1776, and Johann Georg Wagler set up the genus Eclectus in 1832, taking the name from a Greek and Latin word meaning 'chosen one'. Because hens and cocks look so different, European naturalists long treated them as two separate species, and it was not until the early 20th century that everyone accepted they were one bird. For most of the 20th century all forms were grouped as one species with many subspecies, some of which became firm favourites in aviculture, such as the Vosmaeri, Solomon Island and red-sided eclectus. Long-term field studies at Iron Range National Park in Queensland, run across eight breeding seasons from 1997 to 2005, showed that competition among females for scarce, dry nest hollows shapes the unusual sex roles of this parrot. In 2023 the IOC followed IUCN and BirdLife International in splitting the group into four species: Moluccan, Sumba, Tanimbar and Papuan eclectus. A fifth, the oceanic eclectus of Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga, disappeared around 3,000 years ago.5174
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
Male and female eclectus look so unlike each other that early naturalists thought they were two different species.5
2
It is one of the few birds where the female is the more colourful one: hens are brilliant red and purple, cocks are leaf green.5
3
Males carry ultraviolet colour in their feathers, which females can see, while predators that cannot see ultraviolet still find them well camouflaged.5
4
Females can stay at their chosen tree hollow for up to 11 months of the year, guarding it from rivals.1
5
Up to five males may regularly bring food to one female, and males may fly up to 20 km from the nest to forage.1
6
Studies in Queensland found that females with drier nest hollows raised more chicks and attracted more males to feed them.7
7
The genus name Eclectus comes from an ancient Greek and Latin term meaning 'chosen one'.5
8
Besides copying speech, eclectus make tones, coos, whistles and even laugh-like sounds.3
Recognised by the official bits
IOC World Bird List
In 2023 the single eclectus species was split into four: Moluccan eclectus (E. roratus), Sumba eclectus (E. cornelia), Tanimbar eclectus (E. riedeli) and Papuan eclectus (E. polychloros). IUCN and BirdLife International had already made the split. Pet birds sold as 'eclectus' may belong to either the Moluccan or Papuan forms.5
IUCN Red List
Moluccan eclectus (E. roratus) listed as Least Concern.1
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Eclectus Parrot?
Offer fresh food and water daily. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests refreshing food and water every day. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.431Pet Wiki plan
What does an Eclectus Parrot eat, and what should it never eat?
A diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and a good formulated diet suits this bird's long digestive tract. Avoid grit, and never feed avocado, chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol. Always ask your vet for a safe list.431
How much space does an Eclectus Parrot need?
A strong cage of at least 61 x 91 x 122 cm with bar spacing 1.9-3.8 cm is the suggested minimum, plus a safe play area outside. Larger is always better for this active bird.43
What temperature, light or water does an Eclectus Parrot need?
This bird comes from warm, humid tropical forests, so keep its environment warm and draft-free. Provide natural daylight or full-spectrum lighting, and fresh water daily. For exact temperatures, ask your exotic-pet vet.43
How often should I clean an Eclectus Parrot's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests changing the cage liner daily and doing a full clean weekly. Regular cleaning keeps your bird healthy and happy. Pet Wiki plan
Can an Eclectus Parrot live with others?
Yes, they are social birds that live in groups in the wild and do best with daily interaction. They can live with other Eclectus or similar-sized birds, but introductions should be slow and supervised. Ask a good breeder for advice.316
How long does an Eclectus Parrot live?
With good care, they can live 20 to 60 years, so this is a long-term commitment. Regular vet check-ups help ensure a long, healthy life.435
Can I handle an Eclectus Parrot?
Yes, they are generally calm and can be handled with patience and daily training. They like time to get used to new things, so go slowly. Furry Diary's plan includes daily out-of-cage time of about 3 hours.431Pet Wiki plan
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
African Grey Parrot