The Eclectus Parrot:
Understanding their behavioural traits and temperament
by Kirsten Badham
When I first laid eyes on the Eclectus Parrot, I was captivated by their contrasting beauty. The scarlet red of the hen married with the emerald green of the male has attracted parrot owners and aviculturists alike.
Eclectus are a unique species of parrot and I have spent over a decade studying the behavioural traits, mannerisms and temperament of this enigmatic species. I have also researched dietary requirements, hormone fluctuations, breeding, health, psychological requirements and developmental patterns.
Establishing our colony
I spent the first 10 years of my avicultural career, breeding and hand-raising companion Eclectus. I chose to breed my Eckies in a colony setting. To prevent in-breeding, I bought unrelated pairs from a top quality aviculturist in Australia. The breeder specialised in the Papua New Guinea sub-species, Eclectus roratus polychloros. He had spent over 15 years sourcing unrelated birds and had a stellar reputation.
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A passion for mutation Quakers
by Bob Nelson
Of all the beautiful species that have lived and bred in my aviaries over the past 66 years, the Quaker Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) continues to hold my fascination. Not just because of the wonderful mutation colours that are regularly emerging, but more importantly because of their enchanting personalities and antics! Quakers are fun!
I acquired my first Quakers in 1971, and over the years their numbers have steadily grown, with other species being replaced by more Quakers of different colours. I will always have Quakers! Genetics and colour mutations have been a passion with me since my early teens, when I kept a flock of approximately 2,000 budgies.
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California’s 13 Naturalised Parrots
by Salvatore Angius
Salvatore Angius is the creator of Californiaflocks.org - a website dedicated to the awareness and better understanding of the diverse free-flying parrots which call California home.
It all began several years ago, as a last resort search attempt, to locate two of his escapee Illiger’s Macaws. Salvatore began tracking many of the local and distant wild parrot flocks in the hope of possibly locating his own birds, who he thought may join forces with one of the wild flocks.
As time progressed, Salvatore remained unsuccessful at finding his pets but found himself fascinated with the wild parrot world he discovered. Although he keeps a respectful distance while monitoring them, Salvatore feels a close bond with these parrot flocks and they have become substitute pets to him.
California's naturalised parrots consist of thirteen species, from the largest, the Double Yellow-headed Amazon, to the smallest, the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet. There are six Amazon species, four conures, two smaller Brotogeris parakeet species and finally our only old world parrot species, the Indian Ring-necked Parakeet.
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