Differentiating between the Eclectus parrot diet and the diet systems of the other breeds of parrots is very important, because of the nutrient requirements for Eclectus, which differ from other parrots.
Eclectus is native to Northeastern Australia, New Guinea, Solomon, and the nearby islands, where he feeds mainly on fruits, vegetables, wild figs, flowers, and leaf buds that have high juicy content. Unlike other breeds of parrots, seeds and nuts aren’t and can’t be the key ingredient in the Eclectus diet.
In a general view, most parrots will eat the same fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, etc. And parrot breeds like African greys, or budgies, can depend on seeds or nuts to meet up most of their dietary requirements, but not Eclectus who needs an entirely different diet.
What Eclectus Feeds on in the wild
As the Studies show, Eclectus is a frugivore, so this parrot thrives by eating fruits, vegetables, buds, and partly seeds and nuts, as they show also that this type of parrot feeds on about 13 species of fruits in their natural habitat. Feeding behavior of the Eclectus differs, for example, Cockatoo normally feeds on seeds and nuts on the ground of the forest, unlike Eclectus that sticks to the top of trees looking for fruits and veggies and rarely feeds on the ground, and by knowing the dietary preferences of the Eclectus this makes sense.
Eclectus is a mid-sized (400-500 grams) parrot, and unlike African greys and Cockatoos, Eclectus has a unique digestive tract that allows absorbing most of the nutrients passing through to their system. But this system can put your Eclectus in danger of getting overfed and expose him to more weight gain. This unique digestive system is the primary reason that Eclectus needs a different diet than the other parrots.
What To Feed Eclectus Parrots
It’s a common mistake for Eclectus owners to feed their parrots as if they were granivore. Granivore is an animal that feeds mainly on seeds and nuts, just like African grey or cockatoo. Eclectus, as mentioned, falls under the frugivores category, and their diet should mainly focus on the presence of juicy fruits and veggies.
Fiber and Vitamin A are also required. Vegetables are an excellent source of beta-carotene that will turn into vitamin A as needed.
You can feed your Eclectus a wide range of fruits and vegetables, like banana, sweet potato cooked or raw, broccoli, celery cherry, coconut, date, passionfruit, pawpaw, cucumbers, pomegranate, kiwifruit, apple, orange, spinach, kale, figs, dragon fruit, guava, rockmelon, watermelon, tangerine, mango, and cooked and raw carrots that contain high levels of beta-carotene.
Eclectus also requires vegetable protein, sprouted seeds, legumes, and cooked Edamame beans are great providers. Pelleted food is a substantial addition, but it should never exceed 10-20% of the entire meal you are serving to your Eclectus. No problem with giving your Eclectus some table food like cooked rice, pasta, scrambled eggs.
And to make it short, every meal of your Eclectus should include 70-80% fresh juicy fruits and vegetables, 20-30% sprouted seeds, nuts, and legumes. This is the closest as it gets to the Eclectus diet system in the wild. Occasionally, add up to 20% of Eclectus’ specialized pelleted food to make sure there is no lack of dietary requirements.
If your Eclectus is molting, then the demand for protein will increase, therefore you should add more ingredients such as walnuts, pistachio, and Brazil nuts, which are all substantial sources.
How Much Eclectus Should Eat
Most types of birds, including parrots, consume something between 15-20% of their body weight daily. But, there are some periods this percentage will exceed 20% for sure, molting and breeding time, for example.
Make sure you provide your Eckie with adequate portions.
As I mentioned, the Eclectus parrot can get overfed, which will expose him to the acquisition of unnecessary weight, so it’s very important to commit to these percentages as you feed your Eclectus. I Highly Recommend Having a Bird scale handy to observe the weight of your parrot and adjust the quantity of food if his weight went up or down.
Foods Should Not To Include in Eclectus Parrot Diet
As you know, Eclectus is a sub-species of parrot, and he can eat like most of them, but the major difference is in ratios of the mixture of the diet. Also, and like most parrots, there are plants that Eclectus should never eat, plants that are toxic to him and will cause him a variety of symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and a lot of uncountable side effects.
The foods are Avocado, Tomato fruit, leaves, eggplants, oak, Christmas cherry, castor beans, onions, garlic, coffee beans, and a lot of toxic plants, fruits, and vegetables. These plants contain a lot of bird toxins like Solanine, Ricin, Robitin, Caffeine, and more. Alcohol, dairy products, chocolate, raw meat, peanuts, are also dangerous for Eclectus, and should never eat them.
What Would Happen With a Wrong Eclectus parrot Diet?
Owners commonly mistreat Eclectus regarding the diet, and this issue can cause him to suffer in different ways and can encourage the appearance of many behavioral and digestive disorders.
Mistreating Eclectus by providing him with a granivorous dietary system is the biggest problem that these animals face in captivity, resulting in aggression, wing flapping, feather plucking, liver disease, allergies, self-harming, and many other problems that may lead to death.
How To Avoid These Risks
You can avoid harming your Eclectus by providing him with a frugivore diet system as much as possible. Depending mainly on commercial food pellets is another big mistake and may cause dehydration. In the wild, Eclectus mainly feeds on fruits and vegetables that have high juicy content, that can reach up to 80% and more of his diet, with some flowers, sprouted seed, and nectar.
You should try your best to imitate these ratios and depend mainly on fresh, juicy ingredients. I highly recommend reading more about granivore and frugivore diet systems, with this you can have a base knowledge about the best for your parrot.
FAQ
What Do You Feed Eclectus Parrots?
To meet the dietary requirements for your Eclectus, focus mainly on feeding him juicy fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, apples, red pepper, green beans, corn, grapes, strawberries, peas, rice, pasta, and few sunflower seeds, sweet potato cooked or raw, broccoli, celery cherry, coconut, date, passionfruit, pawpaw, cucumbers, pomegranate, kiwifruit, orange, spinach, kale, figs, dragon fruit, guava, rockmelon, watermelon, tangerine, mango, and cooked and raw carrots
Sprouted seeds and legumes are a great addition, but they should not exceed 15-20% of the mixture. Remember not to depend on a single ingredient.
What can Eclectus parrots not eat?
Eclectus like most parrots can not eat, Avocado, Eggplant, Chocolate, Tomato, Cheese, Apple Seeds, coffee drink and beans, Milk, Dairy Products, Soft Drinks, Alcohol, lettuce, Onions, Garlic, and Raw Meat, Castor beans, Oak, Christmas Cherry.
How Often Do You Feed Eclectus Parrots?
Eclectus Parrot Weighs Normally 400-500 Gram And Should Eat 2-3 Meals Daily In Total of 15-20% of his body weight.
Can Eclectus Parrots Eat Tomatoes?
Although tomatoes are juicy fruit, it’s not safe for Eclectus to eat. And this is because of the acidic nature of tomatoes that can upset the digestive system and the existence of the solanine alkaloid that is toxic to parrots.
Can Eclectus Parrots Eat Strawberries?
Yes, strawberries are a recommended type of fruit to serve to Eclectus parrots. They are juicy, healthy, full of vitamins and minerals, and tasty as well. Adding them to the Eclectus diet is totally safe.
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