The males and females of the Eclectus parrot have significant sexual dimorphism. Males have red flanks, blue main feathers, and vivid green color. A band of yellow runs along the brief tail. Green tail feathers in the center contrast with blue tail feathers on the outside.
Their bill has a black bottom and an upper mandible that is orange. Black covers the feet and toes. The collar and wing bend of females are blue, and they have a crimson-red color overall. The crimson tail is finished with orange tips and has a yellow underside. Black covers their entire bill.
Each gender has a black eye. Both males and females have a brown upper mandible with yellow margins as youngsters.
They are roughly 40–45cm (15.7–17.7in) in length. Weight range: 397–425 g. (14-15oz). Between 20 and 25cm (8-10in) broad is the size of their wingspan.
So, is it possible to have a blue Eclectus parrot? Let us get to know the detailed information below.
Blue Eclectus Parrot
The one thing that is truly unique about the blue Eclectus parrot does occasionally appear in the world of mutation-colored hirds. It is one thing for a new color mutation to manifest or exist in nature, but it is remarkable when it occurs in aviculture. Undoubtedly, this occurs far more frequently in nature than we realize or might initially think.
According to George Smith’s theory, one out of every six wild creatures in England contains a gene for a hue that is different from what is considered to be normal.
Mutation-coloured hirds are the first to be selected out and eliminated from the natural population by many willing predators due to the vast number of barriers and dangers most bird species confront daily in their desire to survive. Because they are so glaringly evident, these hirds are the most vulnerable to being killed out in the wild.
Mutation-colored birds are no longer at a disadvantage in terms of predation in a confined environment where a conscientious breeder gives them the necessities of food, shelter, and protection, and they have a perfect chance of living long enough to reproduce.
Breeders can create and popularize a new hue when a new color mutation arises in an aviary setting, which is extremely impressive.
The bird featured on the front cover of this month’s AFA Watchhird is an illustration of a happy accident that befell a newcomer European breeder.
A couple with an interest in Eclectus bought a rooster and a hen from two different vendors at the beginning of the 1990s. After mating the two birds, they ultimately produced their first pair of offspring. A rooster and hen usually appear.
They chose to keep their first, priceless progeny because they were their breeding pair of Eclectus’ first newborns. The brother and sister were housed in a separate aviary from the parents. Unbeknownst to the owners, there was an ancient nest box hanging in the aviary that had never been used.
When the siblings were two years old, “mother nature” seized control, and they went to build a nest and laid two viable eggs. The breeder discovered one of the birds, the hen, had an extremely odd color when the chicks began to feather.
She had a blue-gray color. Thus, in 1995, the first Eclectus that was “blue” was born. Two more blues have since been produced, including a magnificent-looking blue rooster.
How did the first blue Eclectus appear, I was asked? In this scenario, we know the how but not the precise who. I’m aware that I’ve probably made things even more confusing for you, but by doing this, I can further clarify and streamline the background of this mutation.
The three blue Eclectus species currently in existence were created by a single brother and sister pair. Autosomal recessiveness governs all primary blue mutations.
In other words, the blue birds’ mother and father, who appears to be normal, are “split” for blue (canning one gene for blue).
They most likely both inherited the same blue gene from either their father or mother, who were the blue birds’ great-grandparents. And this is the area of uncertainty.
Unfortunately, we are unable to distinguish heterozygously or “split” birds until a better or more complete genetic study is available. Therefore, we are aware that one of the grandparents is divided blue; however, we are unsure of which one.
Currently being developed, the blue Eclectus will soon be established in three separate aviaries. Although there have been reports of lutino mutations, I haven’t personally encountered one of these birds.
Is Blue Eclectus Parrot Real?
Yes, blue Eclectus parrots are real, the only bottleneck is, that they are scarce to come by from any breeder. If you are a lover of Eclectus parrots then the blue Eclectus parrot will not only make you want them but will make you fall in love.
Can Eclectus Parrot Be Blue?
Yes! The three blue Eclectus species currently in existence were created by a single brother and sister pair. All mutations are because primary blue is autosomal recessive. This implies that the blue birds’ mother and father, who both appear normal, are “split” for blue (canning one gene for blue).
Most likely, either their father or mother, the blue bird’s grandparents, gave them both the lone blue gene.
This is where there is uncertainty. Sadly, we are unable to distinguish heterozygously or “split” birds until we have access to a better or more extensive genetic study. As a result, we are aware that one of the grandparents is divided into blue, but we are unsure which one.
The development of the blue Eclectus is currently underway, and it will soon be established in three separate aviaries. Although there have been reports of lutino mutations, I am unaware of any such birds personally.
Are Blue Eclectus Parrots Male Or Female?
The bright green males have dazzling candy corn-colored beaks, a blue or red tail, and red or blue wing feathers. The mature male Eclectus has a weight range of 388 to 524 grams, with an average of 430 grams.
Instead of the yellow-gold or golden-orange color of the adult male, juvenile males have dark brown or black irises.
Blue Eclectus Parrot Price?
The usual cost of an Eclectus parrot purchased from a breeder ranges between $1,000 and $3,000, which is substantially more expensive than the cost of an adopted Eclectus parrot.
Rare Eclectus Parrot Colors
The male has vivid emerald green plumage and the female mostly has bright red and purple/blue plumage, making it rare among parrots for its high sexual dimorphism of the colors of the plumage.
Brief Information About Eclectus Parrot
- Diet
Herbivorous birds are Eclectus parrots. Fruits, seeds, nuts, berries, leaf buds, blooms, and nectar are the foods they eat. Particularly favored are pandanus fruits.
- Range
The Eclectus parrot inhabits Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, Palau, New Guinea, the farthest Torres Strait Islands, and Queensland in Australia’s extreme north.
- Habitat
They live in tree clumps in savannahs, the canopy of rainforests, and eucalyptus woodlands.
- Reproduction
From July through January, there is breeding. Birds frequently find new mates since mating couples do not remain together for the duration of their lives. Squawking calls are used by male birds to attract females.
In a tree hollow near the edge of the forest or a clearing, nesting takes place. The eggs are deposited on a liner made of wood chips.
An egg takes 26 days to hatch after being laid successfully. There is the laying of two white eggs. The male provides food to the female while she incubates the egg. With help from their earlier offspring, both parents care for the chick.
When they first hatch, they have short, dense bristles covering their skin, which over three days will turn gray. You can identify the gender of the bird once these colors change.
The chicks must fledge at 11–12 weeks. Before they reach sexual maturity, another 2 to 3 years will pass.
- Behavior
Eclectus parrots are solitary or reside in small flocks. They congregate in large groups at feeding areas during the day; the number of fruit trees nearby determines the size of the flocks that congregate there. In flocks of up to 80, they may roost at night.
Possums, raptors, and introduced species like wild dogs are all predators of the Eclectus parrot.
The Eclectus parrot can be heard giggling and making a bell-like noise. They chu-wee when they are feeding, and they shriek when they are flying.
- Diet
The blue Eclectus parrot has almost the same diet pattern as other parrots. The blue Eclectus parrot diet should be about 75% fruits and vegetables and about 25% parrot pellets that are the best fit for your blue Eclectus parrot.
The blue Eclectus parrots can eat mangoes, bananas, passionfruits, kiwis, pears, etc, and nuts like walnuts, macadamias, and peanuts.
The local populace in New Guinea uses their feathers as ornaments. The male and female Eclectus parrots have such disparate physical characteristics that the first scientists who encountered them thought they belonged to distinct species.
Common Health Problems
An Eclectus is special because it occasionally displays toe-tapping and wing-flipping.
This activity is comparable to feather plucking, a problem that frequently affects parrots who feel neglected. The occurrence of all three of these behaviors in an Eclectus, however, may indicate a serious medical condition.
The most likely causes of nutritional deficiencies are extra vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin A), fortified foods, or artificial components, as well as stress or consuming foreign items like beads. It’s critical to visit an avian veterinarian right away.
The avian polyomavirus, which causes skin cancers, is another illness that an Eclectus is predisposed to.
Constricted toe syndrome, is a disorder that prevents blood flow to a bird’s toe
A viral immune system disease is known as “psittacine beak and feather sickness.”
Conclusion
Due to their sexual dimorphism, Eclectus birds can be identified by their morphological traits. Eclectus male birds have stunning emerald green feathers, bright orange beaks, and splotches of red and blue under their wings.
On the other hand, the females have deep purple markings on their chests and tails and are mostly brilliant red with black beaks. Before the early 20th century, male and female birds were assumed to be whole distinct species because of how differently they looked.
Feathers on Eclectus birds lack the characteristic lines present on many other birds. Since they blend in so well with their surroundings thanks to their color, you can frequently hear them before you see them.