Eclectus Parrot

The Eclectus Parrot is a large, robust parrot of the rainforests of New Guinea, nearby islands, and northeastern Australia. It is best known for one of the most extreme cases of sexual dimorphism in the parrot family, so much so that males and females were originally described as separate species.

Appearance

Males are bright emerald green overall with a yellow-tinged bill, red flanks and underwing coverts, and blue in the wing. Females are strikingly different, showing deep red plumage on the head and body with a rich purple-blue breast and belly, and a black bill. Both sexes have a stocky build, a relatively short square tail, and a heavy bill.

General Impression

Eclectus Parrots are often seen flying above the forest canopy in pairs or small groups, their bright colors and slow, deliberate wingbeats making them conspicuous even at a distance.

Key Field Marks

• Large, stocky parrot with a short, square tail
• Males: bright green body, red underwing/flank patches, orange-yellow upper mandible
• Females: red head and body with purple-blue underparts, black bill
• Slow, heavy, characteristic flight above the canopy

Similar Species

Because males and females look so different, they are sometimes mistaken for entirely different species:

• Male Eclectus Parrots can suggest other large green parrots, but the red flank patches and orange bill are distinctive.
• Female Eclectus Parrots can superficially resemble large red lories, but the Eclectus is bulkier with a heavier black bill and purple-blue belly.

No other parrot in its range combines this degree of green-versus-red/purple sexual dimorphism.

Range

Found across New Guinea and many surrounding islands, the Moluccas, the Solomon Islands, and Sumba, with an isolated population (the subspecies macgillivrayi) in Cape York Peninsula, northeastern Australia.

Habitat

Inhabits lowland and hill rainforest, forest edges, and adjacent coconut plantations, generally below about 1,000 meters elevation, though it occurs higher in some areas.

Movements

Largely sedentary, though birds may make local movements to track fruiting trees.

Social Behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, often gathering in larger numbers at communal roost or feeding trees, particularly figs.

Voice

Gives loud, harsh, far-carrying screeches and squawks, especially in flight and around roosting sites at dusk and dawn.

Feeding

Feeds mainly on fruit, unripe seeds, buds, nectar, and blossoms gathered from the forest canopy, using its strong bill to crack open tough seed pods.

Nesting and Breeding

Nests in large, deep tree cavities, which are a limited and valuable resource, leading to intense competition among females for nest sites. A female may remain inside the nest cavity for months, being fed by the male and, unusually, sometimes by other males as well. Clutches typically contain two eggs, incubated mainly by the female.