You wish you could purchase a parrot. You’re in love with these creatures. They are gorgeous, intelligent and charming. You spend hours looking at pictures and daydreaming about what your home would be like with a pet bird. You’ve even picked out the type of bird cage you would buy.
The problem is you have allergies and your daughter suffers from asthma. You’ve heard that birds shed feather dust, which can irritate these conditions. But you simply can’t stand it any more. Your desire to own a bird is so strong you simply have to take a step in that direction. So you trudge down to your local pet store, knowing full well you will fall in love with each bird you see. You start talking to the shop owner and he tells you something you did not know. There is a parrot species called the Eclectus that does not shed feather dust and is perfect for people with allergies or asthma.
Suddenly your world is dancing around you. You can get a parrot after all!
Yes, it’s true. The Eclectus parrot is one of the few species that is free from feather dust, making it the ideal bird for people who suffer from respiratory conditions, but who are also die-hard bird lovers.
The Gentle Eclectus
Not only are the Eclectus dust-free, they also have extremely gentle personalities. Males are more docile than females, so some people claim they make better pets. Female Eclectus have more of a tendency to bite if they are startled or disturbed.
Low-Stress Level
Eclectus parrots need a peaceful home with very little noise, chaos and disturbances. In other words, your Eclectus will not appreciate a loud, fun-filled (or what you would consider fun-filled) party every Friday night that lasts for several hours. Nor will they appreciate loud music, screaming and constant activity. These birds do best in a quiet, peaceable and subdued environment.
Eclectus are also emotionally-needy birds. You can’t leave an Eclectus in its bird cage all day long and expect it to be happy. These parrots need lots of love and attention to thrive. They also need an abundance of mental stimulation. If an Eclectus is bored, he will sit in his bird cage, dutifully plucking his beautiful feathers. Some Eclectus pluck their feathers so severely, they become completely bald. A featherless Eclectus in the middle of your living room isn’t exactly an attractive looking creature.
Make sure your Eclectus spends several hours a day outside his bird cage. It is a good idea to invest in a playstand, which allows your bird to interact and play outside of his parrot cage.
There are various types of playstands to choose from. The Bridge Playstand is designed to fit birds of any size. It is approximately 43” long x 19” wide x 38” – 48” tall. It comes with castors so you can easily move it around the house. The Sandblasted Playstand has a simple, yet elegant look to it, making it the perfect addition to a more “modern” looking home.
Be sure your Eclectus has plenty of toys on his playstand and in his parrot cage. Provide your Eclectus with a variety of rope toys, swinging toys, perches and wooden toys to keep him occupied.
Sleeping Birdie
Eclectus parrots need at least 10 hours of sleep at night. Because they like a calm, peaceful environment, especially during bedtime, you may want to purchase a bird cage cover. Certain cage covers are made out of light-weight, nontoxic poly cotton fabric and are machine washable. Utilizing commercial covers is much more convenient than trying to drape a sheet or blanket over your bird cage. The dark covers hold in the heat and promote a secure environment for sleeping.
The covers offered by Custom Cages, are custom-made to fit each individual model. They also include a patented flap for the door, which is attached with Velcro. The flap enables you to have access to the bird cage door without removing the entire cover.
The Species
Eclectus parrots originate from Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. They are easy to tame and eager to bond with their human companions. Eclectus have an average talking ability and can learn quite a few different words. The clarity of their speech is incredible and comes close to the clarity of the African Gray. These birds also make an abundance of other sounds including coos, whistles, squeals and a sound that mimics the music of soft bells. There are 8-10 different species of Eclectus parrots. These include the Vosmaeri, Grand Eclectus, Red-sided and Westermani. The average life expectancy is generally 30 years, but some Eclectus have been known to live between 50-70 years.
These birds have unique, tightly-woven feathers. From a distance it’s hard to tell if your bird actually has feathers or if he’s wearing fur. The Eclectus are beautiful birds with vibrant colors such as bright green, red, blue and orange. They are one of the few species where you can easily differentiate between the sexes. Males tend to be bright green with blue wings and red under-wings. The females are generally red with purple bellies and black beaks.
Caring for Your Eclectus
The most important factor in caring for your Eclectus is to provide them with a large bird cage. Width is especially important because Eclectus have a large wingspan, so they need room to stretch. Height is also crucial since Eclectus love to climb. As a result, it is best to purchase stainless steel parrot cages that allow your Eclectus to engage in this sport. While glass bird cages are extremely decorative, they are not as suitable for the Eclectus species.
Consider purchasing a custom parrot cage that is designed specifically for your bird’s needs. Custom parrot cages allow you to choose various types of material for different sections of the cage. For example, you could choose stainless steel panels and a clear acrylic door. You can also request a laminated background, which makes an extremely decorative bird cage. These backgrounds contain stunning images of a bird’s natural habitat including forests, trees, rivers, lakes, jungles, waterfalls and deserts. The perfect finishing touch for any classy bird cage!
Size Matters
Since size is important, look for an African Gray cage or Macaw cage to house your Eclectus. Large bird cages do not have to be expensive. You can easily purchase discount bird cages that are roomy enough for your pet, but also within your budget.
If you would like to house more than one Eclectus in the same cage, you’ll be happy to learn that these birds get along exceptionally well as a pair. However, never put more than one female with a male for an extended period of time. Although normally docile, Eclectus hens have been known to attack a rival female. When housing multiple Eclectus in the same cage, you’ll need a huge bird cage or avairy in order to provide your pets with adequate space to move around.
Special Dietary Considerations
In the wild, the Eclectus’ diet is extremely high in fiber. They consume a wide variety of fruit flowers, vegetables and seeds. It is best then, to feed your Eclectus a mixture of fresh fruits and vegetables. Some of the Eclectus’ favorite food includes pomegranates, mangos, cantaloupes, carrots, green bell peppers, and dandelions. They also love white millet, sunflower seeds, peanuts and pine nuts. Keep their dishes full of fresh food that settles well with their digestive tract.
Eclectus parrots have a longer than average intestinal tract. Their digestive systems are extremely delicate, so you’ll need to exercise precautions when choosing foods for your bird. Rich foods can cause your bird to develop nervous habits such as wing flicking and clenching and unclenching their feet. Even certain commercial pelleted feeds are too rich for these birds.
Shop our indoor and outdoor bird cages to give your Eclectus parrot companion a new home!