Vosmaeri Eclectus birds

Behavior/Health Concerns:  Vosmaeri Eclectus parrots 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 vosmaeri Eclectus parrots are susceptible to polyoma, according to Laurella Desborough, bird breeder, author and co-founder of the Model Aviculture Program. Older vosmaeri 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. Vosmaeri Eclectus parrots are sexually dimorphic. Males are a lighter green with yellowish feathering on their back, nape and back of the head. The male vosmaeri Eclectus parrot has extensive red on the sides of its body, and the primary feathers do not have green edging. Vosmaeri Eclectus females have a violet breast with some red. They have yellow coloring at the base of their tail and on the vent. Male Eclectus are more difficult to decipher between species than are females because of the varying shades of green. Provide vosmaeri 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.