Behavior/Health Concerns:  Red-sided 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 red-sided Eclectus parrots are susceptible to polyoma, according to Laurella Desborough, bird breeder, author and co-founder of the Model Aviculture Program. Older red-sided 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. Red-sided Eclectus parrots are sexually dimorphic birds, which that their sex can be distinguished by their coloring. Female red-sided Eclectus parrots have heavier, more rounded bodies while males are slimmer. Female red-sided Eclectus are mostly red and have purple-blue chest feathers. Males are shades of green with some blue and yellow coloration, depending on the species. Mature female red-sided Eclectus parrots have an all black beak while males red, yellow and orange beaks. Male red-sided Eclectus parrots are more difficult to decipher between species than females because of the varying shades of green. Provide red-sided 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 the birds to groom their beaks, according to Desborough. She also recommends appropriately-sized toys made from both soft wood and hard plastic in various shapes strung on a leather cord. Eclectus parrots enjoy wrapping their toes around their toys, so supervise your bird for any potential safety hazards.