Solomon Islands Eclectus birds

Behavior/Health Concerns:  Solomon Islands Eclectus parrots are susceptible to feather picking, respiratory infections and excessive chewing. They need a higher vitamin-A 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 Solomon Islands Eclectus parrots are susceptible to polyoma, according to Laurella Desborough, bird breeder, author and co-founder of the Model Aviculture Program. Older Solomon Islands 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. Solomon Islands Eclectus parrots are sexually dimorphic. Males are mostly green while the females are largely red. The male Solomon Islands parrot is dark green with a pale blue along the edge of the wing. Females are a lighter red than red-sided Eclectus females, and while both sub-species have a blue ring around the eyes, the Solomon Islands female parrot has a thicker ring. Solomon Islands females' primary coverts are pale blue with pale blue edging. Male Solomon Islands Eclectus parrots are more difficult to decipher between species than are females because of the varying shades of green. Provide Solomon Islands 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.