Print This | Tell-a-Friend



Eclectus Parrot  

Also Known As: Kalanga, Grand Eclectus Parrot, King Parrot, Red-sided Eclectus Parrot (E.r. polychloros)
 
MAIN_eclectus_4

Female Eclectus Parrot

Credit: (c) iStock Photo
 
eNewsletter SIGNUP FOR EMAIL UPDATES
Did You Know?
With the Eclectus Parrot, sexual dimorphism (differences between male and female) are more marked and striking than in any other parrot: males are generally green in colour; females generally red.

Species Profile
Genus:
Eclectus

Species:
roratus

Size: Adult Weight:
35 cm (13.6 in) 450-600g (15.75-21 oz)

Races including nominate:
ten: E.r. roratus, E.r. vosmaeri, E.r. westermanni, E.r. cornelia, E.r. riedeli, E.r. polychloros, E.r. biaki, E.r. aruensis, E.r. macgillivrayi, E.r. solomonensis

Colourization Adult:
E.r. roratus (Grand Eclectus): male-green with red underwing coverts to sides of belly; central tail feathers green above and tipped yellow/white, side tail feathers green and washed blue above and tipped yellow/white; undertail grey tipped yellow/white, upper mandible orange tipped with yellow, lower mandible black. Eye orange. Female-body red with dark brown/red on back and wings; underwing coverts to lower breast, abdomen and wide band across mantle soft purple; red of upper breast washing into purple of lower breast; bend of wing lilac/blue; undertail coverts red with longer feathers tipped yellow; tail red tipped orange/yellow. Bill black. Eye yellow/white. E.r. vosmaeri: male-as in roratus, but head, neck and undertail coverts more yellow; side tail feathers blue edged with green; larger in size. Female-as in roratus but undertail coverts yellow; tail widely tipped with yellow; larger in size. E.r. westermanni: male-as in roratus, but smaller in size; plumage generally duller, more blue/green; less red on sides of lower body. Female-as in roratus, but smaller in size. E.r. cornelia: male- as in roratus, but head, upperparts and neck paler green; tail strongly washed with blue; larger in size. Female-entire body red with lilac/blue underwing coverts; larger in size. E.r. riedeli: male-as in roratus, but neck and lower cheeks more blue/green in colour; tail widely tipped with yellow; smaller in size. Female-as in cornelia but undertail coverts yellow; tail widely tipped with yellow; smaller in size. E.r. polychloros: male-as in roratus but head and neck darker green; tail green tipped with yellow/white, the side feathers blue tipped yellow/white and washed with green on outer webs; larger in size. Female-as in roratus, but brighter red on head and upper breast; eye ring feathered and blue; underwing coverts to lower breast and abdomen as well as stripe across mantle deep blue; red of upper breast not washed into blue lower breast; undertail coverts red; tail red tipped with orange. E.r. biaki: both adults as in polychloros, but smaller in size; in female hindneck and upperparts brighter red. E.r. aruensis: both adults as in polychloros but tail in male more widely tipped with yellow and female's tail brighter red. E.r. macgillivrayi: both adults as in polychloros but larger in size and with longer tail; less yellow tinge to green body colour of male. E.r. solomonensis: male-as in polychloros but green plumage more yellow, particularly on head and neck; outer webs of primary feathers more bright lilac/blue becoming deep blue toward tips; smaller in size. Female-as in polychloros but head and breast brighter red; underwing coverts to lower breast, abdomen and wide band on mantle deeper blue, less purple; outer webs of primary feathers more bright purple/blue, becoming deep blue toward tips; smaller in size.

Colourization Juvenile: As in adults but duller; in both sexes upper mandible dark brown/grey tipped yellow. Eye brown.

Call: In flight: loud, rough screech repeated continously or in short bursts. Various alarm calls, more mellow calls and a bell-like sound possibly heard before mating.

Listen now

Recent Academic Research: Google Scholar - search results

 

Content Sources:

Parrot Chronicles http://www.parrotchronicles.com/winter2001/speciesspotlight.htm

CITES http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html

BirdLife International http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1446&m=0

Internet Bird Collection http://www.hbw.com/ibc/

Kiwi Wildlife Tours http://www.kiwi-wildlife.co.nz/

Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998.

Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1989.

Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.

Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.

Psittacine Aviculture, Schubot, Clubb and Clubb, 1992.

Avian Pediatric Seminar Proceedings, various authors, 1988.