The Eclectus Parrot is a stunning bird with extraordinary plumage. Many bird lovers are captivated by the Eclectus Parrot’s remarkable beauty, but what makes this parrot genuinely intriguing is the stark differences between males and females of the species.
Eclectus Parrots exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism, meaning their appearance varies based on sex. Males are predominantly a vivid lime green, whereas females are a striking ruby red. Some pet owners decide which sex is right for them based on appearance alone; however, many choose to consider the differences in temperament before coming to a conclusion.
Determining which Eclectus Parrot is right for you can be done by understanding the nuances in personality, training, and health needs between the sexes.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
Male Eclectus Parrot
- Average height (adult): 5–5 inches
- Average weight (adult): 17–20 pounds
Female Eclectus Parrot
- Average height (adult): 1–4.6 inches
- Average weight (adult): 17–20 pounds
Eclectus Parrot 101
As mentioned, the Eclectus Parrot is a sexually dimorphic species, so the males and females are different in appearance. In addition, there may be additional variation between differing subspecies, so males and females of one subspecies may look slightly different from their counterparts of another subspecies.
The male’s green color helps them to blend in with the trees, protecting them as they search for food. He has a yellow crown, red beneath his wings, and green and blue tail feathers tipped with yellow or white. His upper beak is orange, and his lower beak is black.
For the female, her red feathers serve as camouflage during the night, allowing her to blend in with her nest. She has purple accents around her body and an entirely black beak. Her tail features contain a combination of blue, purple, and yellow.
The flashiness of both sexes is a relative rarity in the bird world. In most instances, males are more colorful and flamboyant than the females. However, with the Eclectus Parrot, both sexes produce remarkable plumage.
In terms of temperament, the Eclectus Parrot is a tranquil bird. They are gentle-natured and clever, making them a charming and entertaining companion. While they can be great with older children, they are not very tolerant of loud or rambunctious children. Teaching a child proper handling and boundaries with pets is essential before introducing them to the Eclectus Parrot.
While the Eclectus Parrot is not known to be excessively noisy, they do not hesitate to make sounds. They are known to be vocal and capable of developing an extensive vocabulary. Overall, the male and female Eclectus Parrots behave similarly. Yet, just as there are notable differences in their appearance, there can also be contrast in their personalities. We will discuss these differences below.
Male Eclectus Parrot Overview
Personality / Character
It is said that the male Eclectus Parrot tends to be somewhat more agreeable than the female, as the female can be assertive and occasionally bossy. While his agreeable nature can be a positive aspect in some cases, it can also make him timid and uncertain in other circumstances. He also tends to be less territorial than the female.
Training
Since the male tends to be more agreeable, training him is generally easier. However, both sexes are trainable since they are clever birds. Gentle training methods should be used with the Eclectus Parrots to ensure the training is effective and pleasant for everyone involved. Harsh punishments or scolding tend to produce negative results.
Health & Care
The Eclectus Parrot can live as much as 30 years in captivity, which is quite a long lifespan. To ensure that the male Eclectus Parrot experiences an excellent quality of life, you should feed him raw veggies, fruits, and sprouts. He may also munch on nuts, seeds, and flowers in the wild.
Breeding
The breeding season for Eclectus Parrots is April to December. As a part of his mating ritual, the male will flash his colorful feathers. Males may take multiple partners if there are several females in the area, making them polygynandrous. This behavior appears to be driven by a lack of adequate nest hollows.
Female Eclectus Parrot Overview
Personality / Character
Female Eclectus Parrots are gentle and intelligent like their male counterparts, although they can be occasionally territorial. She has strong nesting instincts and may seek out dark areas in the home to call her own. Due to her bold nature, she is less dependent and capable of managing stress better than the male.
Training
The female is intelligent, making her a delight to train. However, she tends to be less agreeable than the male, which can occasionally create obstacles in the training process. Positive reinforcement is the best way to keep her engaged, as negative reinforcement will likely deter her from cooperating.
Health & Care
The female’s lifespan doesn’t notably differ from the males. Instead, Eclectus Parrots in captivity tend to have a remarkably shorter lifespan than those in the wild. This is often attributed to improper care or stressful environments. To ensure that your Eclectus Parrot enjoys as full of a lifespan as possible, feed her a proper diet and create a peaceful, healthy environment for her to thrive.
Breeding
As mentioned before, the Eclectus Parrot is polygynandrous. She will take multiple partners during her mating season to increase her success rate. Unfortunately, the breeding success rate is low, as females average around two eggs each mating season. Once the eggs are laid, the female will incubate them for around 28 days until they hatch.
Which Sex Is Right for You?
Deciding which sex is right for you can be a challenge. The male tends to be agreeable yet timid, and the female tends to be independent yet territorial. At the same time, both sexes are known for their gentle, inquisitive natures. While there are notable differences in personality between the male and the female, the species overall is beloved for their charming personality. No matter which sex you choose, you will have a wonderful companion.
You should consider both the personality differences between the male and the female when making your decision. Since the Eclectus Parrot can live for 30 years in captivity, this is not a decision to be made lightly. In the end, choosing which sex is right for you will come down to personal preference, so take the time to consider your own needs in a pet before determining which sex is right for you.
Featured Image Credit: ice_blue, Shutterstock
