Eclectus Parrot - Halmahera

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig � Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Vosmaeri Eclectus, Vos Scientific Name: Eclectus roratus vosmaeri

Basic Info

At maturity, the Halmahera Eclectus Parrot averages 15 inches in length. The feathering of the Eclectus Parrot has a strange texture and has been described as "hair-like". Male Halmahera Eclectus Parrots have yellow-tinted green feathering over the majority of their bodies, and their green shade is lighter than some of the other subspecies. Their primary wing coverts and primary flight feathers are a dark blue color, edged in green. The upper side of the Halmahera Eclectus male's tail is green and the tips of the feathers have yellow edging. The underside of the tail is black, edged with a thin band of pale yellow, stretching for about ten millimeters. The iris is a reddish orange color. Female Halmahera Eclectus Parrots have lighter red plumage than some of the other subspecies, and they have a striking violet chest and dark blue under-wing coverts. The plumage under their tails is yellow. They also have a band running to the nape that is dark blue. Females have dark blue green-edged primary coverts and primary flight feathers like the male, as well. The tips of their red tails have pale edging, and their irises are a light yellow-white color.

Health

Halmahera Eclectus Parrots may be prone to feather plucking. To prevent this, allow the birds plenty of items to chew and try to prevent them from becoming bored. Feather plucking may also be brought on by dietary changes, inappropriate enclosure size, stress, bullying, or climatic changes. Eclectus Parrots have a longer digestive tract than any other parrot, and they need more fresh veggies and fruits than most parrots. Breeding The Halmahera Eclectus Parrot is bred commonly in captivity. Generally, Halmahera Eclectus Parrots breed year round. They reach sexual maturity between two and three years of age. When she is about to breed, the female Eclectus may become quite aggressive, even toward her handler. Before laying, the female will generally spend a lot of time fussing in her nest box to arrange it suitably. She will usually lay two eggs. Because female Halmahera Eclectus Parrots will often sit on their eggs awkwardly or forcefully and accidentally break them, a slanted or L shaped nesting box is recommended, so the birds have room to position themselves better. The female Halmahera Eclectus Parrot will incubate her eggs for about four weeks before they hatch. The fledglings will develop sexually dimorphic coloration by the time they are about 28 days old. Usually, they will leave the nest by 75 days of age.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

The incredibly beautiful Halmahera Eclectus Parrot has a personality that is as colorful as its feathers. In the wild, Halmahera Eclectus Parrots nest high in the forest canopy. In captivity, they tend to do well when kept in pairs. In the wild, a pair will usually be at the top of a group's hierarchy, with other parrots in the group helping the dominant pair to raise their young. When kept outdoors, a 4.5 by 1.2 by 2 meter aviary in a sheltered area will suffice for a pair. Halmahera Eclectus Parrots can be taught to imitate noises and talk quite well. As with all parrots, generally, hand raised birds will make much better, tamer, healthier pets than wild-caught birds.

Origin

Indonesia

History

Halmahera Eclectus Parrots are native to Indonesia, Moluccas, and several surrounding islands. They are not uncommon in their natural habitat and are also seen in the pet trade, though they may not be as common as some of the other subspecies.

Common Foods

Halmahera Eclectus Parrots kept in captivity may be fed plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables along with a good basic pellet diet or seed mix. The majority of the seeds should be soaked to make them softer for the parrots. Plenty of branches or wood shoul