Description
The Eclectus Parrot is a large parrot (43cm-45cm including tail) with marked sexual dimorphism (the male and female are different).
The male:
- Is emerald green, with bend of wing blue, primaries deep blue, underwing coverts and sides of belly rich scarlet
- Has a short square tail with central tail feathers green tipped with blue; outer tail feathers are blue tipped with white; underside of the tail is dusky tipped yellow
- The eye is orange
- The upper mandible of its bill is coral pink, but the lower mandible is black
- Feet and toes are mid grey
The female:
- Has vivid red plumage, darker and duller on back and wings
- Has a blue collar across the mantle and the bend of the wing and underwing coverts are bright blue, with a broad violet-blue band across the belly
- Tail is red tipped with orange
- Around the pale-yellow eye is a blue ring
- The bill is black
- The feet and toes are the same as for the male
Habitat
The eclectus parrot is found in the canopy of rainforests and in adjacent eucalypt woodlands. The eclectus parrot is found on Eastern Cape York Peninsula, from Pascoe River south to Massey Creek and inland to McIlwraith Range and is locally common. Also widely distributed from Solomon lslands west through New Guinea to Moluccas.
Diet
The eclectus parrot feeds in trees on berries and other fruit, nuts, seeds and blossoms. In the early morning pairs and small parties leave the roosting trees and move out into surrounding forest to feed.
Reproduction
The eclectus parrots breeding season is July-January. Incubation is carried out by the female and lasts approximately 26 days. Eclectus parrots’ nest in a big hole 0.5m-6m deep in the trunk of a tall tree at the edge of or in a clearing in forest. The female lays her eggs on a lining of chips and decayed wood dust and both parents care for the chicks. Young become independent 11-12 weeks after hatching and leave the nest at this time.
