Eclectus Parrots

Eclectus - Introduction

Click here to read a short introduction to the Eclectus Parrots (genus Eclectus) based on my great fascination of this particular genus.

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Eclectus - Taxonomy (Species Overview)

About the applicable biological taxonomy for the genus Eclectus, consisting of 1 nominate subspecies (species) and 8 subspecies (only existing subspecies).

Eclectus - Subspecies identification

A guide on how to identify the different subspecies of Eclectus Parrots based on 3 different groups of subspecies and a number of identity markers, valid both for males and females.

Generally about Eclectus Parrots

A section about the common features of Eclectus Parrots when it somes to general behaviour, in wildlife, breeding pattern in nature, voice, breeding in human care, nutrition, husbandry, etc.

Seram Eclectus

Group Violet/Lavender: Eclectus roratus roratus. The dominate subspecies, medium-sized, known for being stocky built and having a slender upper beak. Male with dull dark green plumage, female having a dull red and dark violet plumage which can assume many different appearances, tip of tail “dusty” orange.

Vosmaer's Eclectus

Group Violet/Lavender: Eclectus roratus vosmaeri. The second biggest subspecies, male known for its brilliant grass-green plumage (lime green with a yellowish tinge) and “too large” red flanks, female for its broad pure cadmium yellow tip of the tail and rump, her head seems flattened at the back.

Aru Red-sided Eclectus

Group Blue: Eclectus roratus aruensis. The medium-sized subspecies known for having an elongated and narrow, almost slender body and the throat, it also has the proportionately longest tail of all subspecies. The plumage of both sexes has the same colour composition as the Papuan Eclectus, but in lighter shade.

Biaki Red-sided Eclectus

Group Blue: Eclectus roratus biaki. Smaller medium-sized subspecies known for its in relation to the size of the head large beak and a very close-fitting plumage that gives the bird a "tight" and slim appearance. Looks like the Papuan Eclectus, but male has an emerald green hue and female with velvety reddish-brown back.

Australian Red-sided Eclectus

Group Blue: Eclectus roratus macgillivrayi. The by far biggest subspecies of them all, known for an almost square head and a long tail, all feathers are very coarse. The plumage of both sexes has the same colour and colour composition as the Papuan Eclectus, but the female has a more visible blue eye ring.

Papuan Red-sided Eclectus

Group Blue: Eclectus roratus polychloros. Medium-sized, the most widely spread and well-known subspecies of all. Male with a deep forest green plumage (changing green) with a yellowish tinge. Female with an upper part of the red breast sharply separated by a royal blue "bib" on the belly. Tip of the tail bordered with pink.

Solomon Red-sided Eclectus

Group Blue: Eclectus roratus solomonensis. One of the two smallest subspecies, known for the folded wingtips almost reach to the tip of the tail and a visibly smaller beak than other subspecies. Looks like the Papuan Eclectus, but male with an orange-yellow upper beak, female with a much wider blue eye ring.

Cornelia's Eclectus

Group Red: Eclectus roratus cornelia. A large subspecies, the one of only two where the female bird have a completely red body plumage. Male known for a bright reddish orange upper bill and large red flanks on sides of breast, female’s red colour on the breast in particular is very clear, back and upper wing coverts reddish brown.

Tanimbar Eclectus

Group Red: Eclectus roratus riedeli. The second of the two smallest subspecies, and also the second of two subspecies where the female bird has a completely red body plumage. Only male with a very clear bluish tinge on the head and neck, female’s upper tail coverts bright yellow, just like a broad tip of the tail.