The name Eclectus is derived from the word
eclectic because of the sexually dimorphic coloration. Some pronounce the
name E-klek-tus and others prefer Eck-lec-tus. Eclectus parrots are blessed
with physical features that make them uniquely beautiful. Their head and
breast feathers look like silky hair.
Eclectus females are heavy bodied birds with a compact, rounded look. They
have predominately red coloration of varying shades and most subspecies have
beautiful blue or lavender-purple breast feathers, as well as a daisy-yellow
tail band and vent on the female of the Vosmaeri subspecies. The mature
female of all Eclectus subspecies has a jet black beak while the mature
male's beak is a stunning candy-corn configuration of yellow, orange and
red.
Eclectus males are streamlined, efficient flyers with feathers of brilliant
shades of emerald green with blue or yellow hues, varying according to
subspecies. They have splashes of red on their sides and some blue in the
wings and tail. The upper mandible of the Eclectus male changes from a lack
of pigment at hatching, to black for their first six to twelve months of
life. Then the upper mandible of males of all the subspecies develops the
characteristic stunning candy corn color, usually by the age of one year but
occasionally delayed until 18 to 24 months of age.
For more comprehensive
information
on caring for & living with Eclectus Parrots......
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