Behavior/Health Concerns:  Grand Eclectus parrots are susceptible to feather picking, respiratory infections and excessive chewing. They require a higher vitamin-A intake than other parrots. Vitamin A-enriched foods include carrots, squash, broccoli, kale and cooked sweet potatoes. Cases of feather picking in this pet bird are often caused by malnutrition and vitamin-A deficiency. Young grand Eclectus parrots are susceptible to polyoma, according to Laurella Desborough, bird breeder, author and co-founder of the Model Aviculture Program. Older grand Eclectus parrots are prone to shortened lives due to poor diets. Many aviculturists agree that supplemental vitamins added to this bird’s diet can contribute to “toe tapping,” a condition where the parrot’s toes repetitively extend and contract. Ask your avian veterinarian before adding supplements or manufactured foods to your pet Eclectus's diet. Grand Eclectus parrots are sexually dimorphic, meaning the sex can easily be distinguished by coloring. Female grand Eclectus have a heavier, more rounded body while males are slimmer. Female grand Eclectus are also mostly red and have purple-blue chest feathers. Males are mostly shades of green with some blue and yellow coloration, depending on the species. Mature female grand Eclectus parrots have an all black beak, while males have red, yellow and orange beaks. Male grand Eclectus parrots are more difficult to decipher between species than emales because of the varying shades of green. Provide grand Eclectus parrots with toys made of soft wood because their beaks are not as powerful as those of other parrots. A perch is a good way for pet birds to groom their beaks, said Desborough. Desborough also recommends appropriately-sized toys made from both soft wood and hard plastic in various shapes and strung on a leather cord. Eclectus parrots enjoy wrapping their toes around their toys, so supervise your bird for any potential safety hazards.