obtain successful breeding pairs. Others Breeding the Eclectus Parrot believe that pairing adult birds is a faster and easier way to achieve the same by Carolyn Swicegood Hollywood, Florida result, but the success of this method is dependent upon one's source of birds. ne often hears that the fonnula is the consistency of pancake Buying adult birds from any source Eclectus Parrot is "easy to batter and a syringe is a better choice other than a known and trusted breed­ O breed but hard to feed." of feeding tools because it holds more er requires caution because birds that This is a reference to the fact that food. The curved tip dropper is inex- have problems, such as mate aggres­ proven Eclectus pairs are prolific pro- pensive insurance against aspiration of sion and egg eating, are more likely to ducers, but that Eclectus chicks are newly hatched Eclectus chicks. be offered for sale than are problem- more difficult to feed than the young I Getting Started free birds. The careful buyer always of many other large parrot species. Eclectus Parrots are prolific year­ asks why a proven male or female is Breeders who are accustomed to the round breeders once they bond and being offered for sale. strong feeding response of macaw figure out the logistics of mating, but Once compatible individuals are set chicks often are surprised to discover there are a number of obstacles on the up in a breeding situation, things that the feeding response of Eclectus path toward that goal. The first hurdle might go exceptionally well. A newly chicks is much weaker. They do little to overcome is to find pure subspecies paired Eclectus male and female some­ if any pumping during feeding. specimen birds to set up together as times bond immediately. Males have Obviously feeding can be a time con­ breeding pairs. been observed regurgitating to newly suming proposition that requires a lit­ A majority of Eclectus Parrots in the introduced females within an hour of tle extra care and patience. u.s. and other countries carry the genes their introduction. Some "love at first For the handfeeder who is new to of more than one subspecies. Pure sub­ Sight" pairs lay fertile eggs within a the joy and frustration of feeding a day­ species Eclectus are very difficult to month of being introduced. However, one Eclectus chick, a curved-tip glass locate. Eclectus males of the commonly this seems to be the exception rather eye dropper is worth its weight in gold. available subspecies look frustratingly than the rule. From day one through the first week of similar. To maximize the chance of get­ Some birds set up as pairs are life, this inexpensive tool can save the ting birds that are not of crossed sub­ incompatible or take considerable lives of Eclectus babies while giving the species heritage, enlist the help of a time to develop a pair bond. handfeeder great peace of mind. This knowledgeable Eclectus breeder who is Switching mates is often effective and dropper is available in the eye-care sec­ familiar with the various subspecies. it is sometimes done even after tion of most phannacies and allows the There is a serious problem of cross­ Eclectus pairs have produced many handfeeder to place one drop of for­ bred subspecies in Eclectus aviculture. clutches of babies. Either male or mula at a time on the side ofthe upper A large part of this problem is because female Eclectus can lose interest in mandible. For the first week of life, an the subspecies identity of the male their partner and cease to produce. Eclectus chick has a tiny crop that holds Eclectus is almost impossible for the The Eclectus attitude toward bonding only a few drops per feeding. The eye novice to detennine. In fact, sub­ covers the entire spectrum from dropper feeding method assures that a species identification of the male can bonding for life to an attitude of "if small, exact measure of fonnula is dis­ be a challenge even for the experi­ you can't be with the one you love, persed gradually and evenly into the enced breeder. love the one you're with." Random chick's mouth. Birds often are paired on the basis mate swapping is not unusual in an This helps to guard against aspira­ of the subspecies that the male Eclectus colony breeding situation. tion caused by the sudden and unex­ appears to be. By the time the pair Squabbling or Fighting? pected introduction of a large amount matures and produces a female off­ of food into the tiny beak. It is much Sparring is common between the spring, by which subspecies purity can more difficult to dispense a small newly introduced male and female be determined, the pair is likely to amount of fonnula from a handfeeding Eclectus, as well as young bonded have been together for several years. syringe. The fonnula should be just pairs, as they become sexually mature. When a mismatch is discovered, the thick enough to fonn a strong droplet, The inexperienced owner can easily owner is sometimes reluctant to break or the consistency of fruit nectar. If you up the pair and obtain new mates of misinterpret this natural part of the dip the end of the dropper into the for­ bonding process as serious, even life­ ~he appropriate subspeCies. mula, one drop should adhere to the threatening, fighting. Injuries are rare end of the glass rube. The consistency Pairing Birds among Eclectus pairs that chase each of the fonnula should be thickened Some breeders insist that raising other, neck wrestle, and engage in daily as the chick grows. By the time young, unrelated Eclectus males and beak fighting. Sometimes the male sus­ the chick is three weeks of age, the females together is the best way to tains an injury to the beak, and less

8 January /Pebruary 2001 often, to other areas of the body. Female injuries are much less com­ Commercial Member mon. Male beak injuries usually heal without a problem and the bonding Veterinarians process continues without further Arizona New Jersey injury. There are very few cases of Ross E. Babcock, DVM· 602-944-9661 Lisa-Anne Attanasi, DVM· 201-461-8651 Palo Verde Animal Hospital, Phoenix Englewood Cliffs Veterinary, Englewood Cliffs Eclectus mate aggression involving California serious injury or death, but close Eduardo Acosta, DVM Dean J. Cerf, DVM· 201-447-6000 Ridgewood Vet. Hospital, Ridgewood observation of a newly-introduced pair Christy Berg, DVM Sunset Cliffs Animal Clinic, San Diego New York is important to prevent such tragedies. J.C. Adsit, DVM· 518-463-0600 When the birds are only squabbling Robert Stonebreaker, DVM· 619-755-9351 Albany Animal & Bird Hospital, Del Mar about ground rules, such as whether Laura L. Wade, DVM· 716-832-2800 the male will be allowed to enter the Max Weiss, DVM & T. Margolin, DVM Blue Cross Small Animal Clinic, Amherst 818-881-6344 nestbox, the owner should observe Tarzana Heidi Hoeffer, DVM· 631-271-2359 rather than intervene. Due to the mis­ Delaware West Hills Animal Hospital, Huntington interpretation of normal sparring, ner­ Morgan Dawkins, DVM· 302-998-2995 Nevada vous new owners often break up pairs Windcrest Animal Hospital, Wilmington Patrick W. Hauck, DVM· 702-734-9761 Florida Flamingo Pet Clinic, Las Vegas that were well on their way to becom­ Tina Merrit, DVM· 352-753-5333 Ohio ing successful breeders. It is important Animal Clinic of Lady Lake Ram Mohan, DVM· 614-755-2273 for all birds to get sufficient exercise, Lady Lake Ram Avian Health Clinic, Reynoldsburg but I believe that a lot of mate aggres­ Bern M. Levine, DVM· 305-595-1674 Linda Wiley, DVM· 440-826-1520 sion could be avoided by providing Last Chance Farm, Inc, Miami Metropet Animal Hospital, Berea breeding birds adequate exercise to Rhoda Stevenson, DVM· 909-268-0204 Wallace E. Wendt, DVM· 216-521-0533 work off excess energy. Exotic Bird Hospital, Jacksonville Drs. Wallace & Wendt Animal Hospital, Lakewood Pennsylvania Tim Swango, DVM· 941-676-6176 Common Breeding Problems Swango Animal Hospital, Lake Wales Edward Bennett, DVM· 724-444-6600 All Pet Hospital, Gibsonia In the best case scenario, an Georgia Kitty Remington, DVM· 912-243-0380 Eclectus pair would bond immediately Animalhouse Vet Services, Bainbridge Linda Stern, DVM· 717-730-3755 Avian & Feline Hospital, Camp Hill and lay fertile eggs the first time. The lilinios female would sit tight on the nest until Susan Horton, DVM· 847-329-8709 Puerto Rico Chicago Exotics-Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital Hector Perez, DVM· 787-816-3467 the chicks hatched and the male Skokie Arecibo would feed the female ,who would in Tennessee turn feed the babies from day one Samuel Ristich, DVM· 630-820-6999 Shanon B. McGee, DVM· 901-853-8519 Aurora Collierville Animal Clinic, Collierville through fledging. Texas It is more likely, however, that there Peter Sakas, DVM· 847-647-9325 Roy Cruzen, DVM· 281-890-7257 Niles will be some problems along the way. Steeplechase Animal Hospital, Houston Minnesota The most common problem is that John Baillie, DVM· 612-721-7431 Bob M. Denton, DVM· 817-297-6939 there are many clear eggs before a pair Minneapolis Deer Creek Animal Hospital, Crowley masters successful mating techniques. Massach usetts Wendy Emerson, DVM· 978-887-3836 SA Fronefield, DVM· 713-495-9445 Many pairs lay infertile eggs for a year Mobile Veterinary Services, Topsfield ABC Animal & Bird Clinic, Houston or more. The main reason for this is William C. Sager, DVM· 508-486-3101 Sharmen Hoppes· 281-859-6648 thought to be that the males take Littleton Animal Hospital, Littleton Copperfield Animal Clinic, Houston longer to mature than the females. Maryland Karen Lass, DVM· 972-985-0081 Another problem that might be William Boyd, DVM· 410-686-6310 Preston Park Animal Hospital, Dallas encountered is that the female does Pulaski Veterinary Clinic, Baltimore Jan Raines, DVM· 214-221-4394 not always incubate the eggs properly. Bonnie J. Miller, DVM· 410-363-2040 Dallas And a pair also might not feed their Animal Avian & Exotics, Owings Mills first few clutches of babies. Although Missouri Agnes E. Rupley, DVM· 409-696-4411 David Kersting, DVM· 314-469-6661 All Pets Medical Center, College Station the majority of Eclectus Parrots usually Bird Medicine & Surgery, Chesterfield Virginia become wonderful parents and some­ Mississippi Rose Fiskett, VMD, dipl. abvp, times do everything right the first time, VCA Animal Hospital of Livonia· 248-615-7670 703-425-PETS this certainly is not always the case. North Carolina speCialty avian practice Lauren Powers, DVM· 919-918-4000 Potomac Valley Veterinary Hospital Some males will destroy the eggs, or Timberlyne Animal Clinic, Chapel Hills Fairfax even newly hatched chicks. In this Mark J. Stehr, DVM· 704-933-1414 case, the male can be caged within the South Ridge Veterinary Clinic, Kannapolis aviary when it is time for the eggs to

the afa WATCHBIRD 9 Conunercial Mefl1bers ABC Birds, Humble, TX Ferguson, Mike & Katie, Walla Walla, WA "P" Patch, The, Benton, MS Adventures in Birds, Houston, TX First Flight, Belleville, IL Parrot Gizmos, Tallahassee, FL Alburquerque Aviaries, Alburquerque, NM For Pet's Sake, Decator, GA Parrot Jungle & Gardens, Miami, FL Allen's Aviaries, Rutherford, CA Fouts, Barry G, & Pat, Lakeland. FL Parrot Perch Aviaries, Las Vegas, NV Alonzo, Ann, Keaau, HI Fox, Ted, Marcellus, NY Parrot-dise, Anderson, SC American Bird Center, Goulds, FL Fox's Feather Farm, Watsonville, CA Parrotiet Ranch, Aptos, CA Anderson, Ken, Boerne, TX Franklin, Judy, On Wings, Northfield, IL Parrots & People, Colleyville, TX Animal Adventures, Greendale, WI Frasier Products, Denver, CO Parrotsupply.com, Ravensdale, WA Animal Environments, Carlsbad, CA Frey, Dr. Walter H., Idabel, OK Pasadena Parrots, Inc., Pasadena, CA Animal Exchange, Rockville, MD Friedman, Alan P., Baltimore, OH Perry, Lyrae, Dripping Springs, TX Aves International, Rancho Palos Verde, CA Galler, Sharon, STAT Marketing, Oakton, VA Pet Power, Inc., Phoeniz, Al. Avian Acres Exotic Bird Farm, Flemington, NJ Gay, Bridget, Mount Aukum, CA Pettin' Place, Reno, NV Avian Adventures, Inc., Dallas, TX Ginny's Jungle, Andover, NJ Pip's Playhouse, Clarksville, TN Avian Medicine Chest, Woodbine, IA Graze, Timothee B., Clinton, CT Pretty Bird International, Inc., Stacy, MN Avian Resources, San Dimas, CA Hand-raised Exotics/Bebe Turck, West Hurley, NY Queen, Robert, Sr., & Virginia, Spring Branch, TX Aviary of Naples, Naples, FL Hauer, Sandy, Dover, PA R & M Aviaries, Hunlock Creek, PA Avitech, Inc., Frazier Park, CA Hazel, Coleen, Eden, MD R & R Bird Gardens, MO Bell's Exotics, Inc., Wrightsville, GA Hays, Belle, Comptche, CA Rain Forest Exotics, Inc., Conroe, TX Benden Weyr Aviaries, Saginaw, MI Henderson, Patty, Sacramento, CA Reliable Protein Products, Palm Desert, CA Bignest Aviary, Shiner, TX Hessler, M. Jean, Costa Mesa, CA Rice, Doug, Walkerton, IN Bird Broker, Inc, Salt Lake City, UT Hetler, John, Nescopeck, PA Richardson, Colleen H., Eden, MD Bird Country, Lewistown, MT Hidden Forest Wildlife Art Gallery, Fallbrook, CA Robertson, Joseph, Woodland Hills, CA Bird Crazy, Inc. San Diego, CA Higgin's Group, Miami, FL Rockledge Aviary, Spring Branch, TX Bird Fever, Indianapolis, IN Hill Country Aviaries, LLC, Dripping Springs, TX Rolf C. Hagen, (USA) Corp., Mansfield, OH Bird of a Feather, Hershey, PA Hobo Toys, Lancaster, NY Ronie's for the Love of Birds, Sandy, UT Bird Times, Greensboro, NC Hookbill Aviaries, Center Ridge, AR Royal Bird & Supply Co, Lincolnton, NC Birdlady's Babes, Atascadero, CA Hoppes Sharmen, Houston, TX Saunders, W. B., Stockton, CA Birds 2 Pet, Redwood Estates, CA Hunter Parrot Farm, Loganville, CA Scandaglia, Frank, Staten Island, NY Birds Nest, Gurley, AL Huntington, Sally & Vince, San Diego, CA Scarlet Orchard Aviaries, Otis Orchards, WA Birds of Paradise Aviaries, Kurtistown, HI Jeff & Jim's Jungle Aviary, San Antonio, TX Schults Bird Farm, Langhorne, PA Blackstone Aviaries, Escondido, CA John's Aviaries, Sturgis, MS Scott Pet Products, Rockville, IN Bolin, Joe, Garden City, KS Jungle Enterprises, Homestead, FL Sea World of Florida, Orlando, FL Boston Exotics, Action, MA Jurka, Frances, Pismo Beach, CA Shadybrook Aviary, Hillsboro, OR Boundaries Unlimited, Inc., Gotha, FL Kate's Books & Markdesign, Inc, Boylon Beach, FL Sharpe, Mac, Plant City, FL Brinsea Products, Inc., Titusville, FL Kay tee Products, Inc., Chilton, WI Skyline Garden, JamUl, CA Broilett, Noah, Los Angeles, CA Kennedy, Robert L. & Jami, Canyon Country, CA Snell, Marquad, Clarkesville, TN C & F Parrot Farm, Corpus Christi, TX Kookaburra Pets, Carrollton, TX Societe Des Parcs De Sciences, Canada Cagemasters, Inc., Loxahatchee, FL Kuzel, Donna Marie, Pacific Junction, IA Stuart, Carolyn & Thomas, Alvin, TX Calderin, Victor 0., Coral Gables, FL L'Avian Plus Pet Products, Stephen, MN Sugarcreek Bird Farm, Bellbrook, OH Cavanaugh, Debbie & Sam, Brentwood, TN LGL Alaska Research & Assoc, Anchorage, AK Sundown Aviary, Lodi, CA Christian, John & Linda, Waban, MA LGL Animal Care Products, Bryan, TX Sun Seed Company, Bowling Green, OH Clarkson, Sunny, Phoenix, Al. LGL Ecological Research Assoc., Bryan, TX Super Bird Creations, Pine, CO Clifton Bird Farm, Mesa, AI. LGL, Limited, Canada Swan Creek Supply, Saginaw, MI Corners Ltd., Inc., Kalamazoo, MI Lafeber Company, Cornell, IL T & M Birds, St. George, UT Country Critters, Patchogue, NY Last Chance Farms, Inc, Miami, FL The Bird Shop, Sacramento, CA Cripple Creek Aviary, Roy, WA Lee, Sherry, Waipahu, HI Tim Swango, Lake Wales, FL Crystal Parrot, Southampton, MA Leonard, Laurielee, Palmdale, CA Tradewinds Exotic Birds, Terry, MS Cuttlebone Plus, Fallbrook, CA Lima's Exotic Birds, Woodland Hills, CA Tropaquatics, Denver, CO Dam Birds, Austin, TX Liitle Friar Aviary, Philadelphia, PA Tucker Farms, Estancia, NM Dark Continent Aviary, Troy Hensley, Bethlehem, GA Living DeSign, Inc, Worthing, SD Up At Six Aviaries, Bosque, NM David's Parrot Place, Tacoma, WA Liz's Bird Shop, Chicago, IL Urban Bird, New York, NY Dee, Michael, Natural History Books, Chatsworth, CA M & M Artistic Designs, Houston, TX Van Kruijsen, Walter, Spain Denise's Parrot Place, Mercer Island, WA M & S Aviaries & Pet Supplies, Bandera, TX Verde Squirts Aviary, Anaheim, CA Denton, Boyd, Southlake, TX Magnolia Bird Farm, Anaheim, CA W.B. Saunders, Owings Mills, MD Di Vinci, Ltd., Las Vegas, NV Marshall, Shirley, Jacksonville, FL Walnut Creek Service Center, Walnut Creek, CA Diamante Ranch & Aviaries, Bulverde, TX Martin, Gail, West Palm Beach, FL Waterloo Wings Stained Glass, Chelsea, MI e Parrot.com, Empire, AL Martin, Steve, Lake Wales, FL Web Ranch Bfmstrs & Birds, Mooreland, OK F M Brown's Sons, Inc., Sinking Springs, PA McCormic, Dan & Noelle, Wildwood. FL Weinberg Int/NEKTON USA, Tarpon Springs, FL Emerson, Carol, Great Barrington, MA Millikin, K.P., Palmetto, FL Williams, Elaine & Earl, Baytown, TX Exotic Birds, Richard Gilmore, Graham, TX Montgomery, Harold, Fort Pierce, FL Willow Creek Aviary, Richland, WA Expandable Habitats, Rockton, IL Morman, Kay L., Fremont, NE Woody's Bird Farm, Dover, PA Family Farms Equines & Exotics, Nuevo, CA Mt Olympus Aviaries, Crestwood, KY Wyld's Wingdom, Norfolk, VA Fancy Publications, Los Angeles, CA North Carolina Zoological Park, Asheboro, NC Yale University Press, New Haven; CT Fantastic Feathers, Port St. Lucie, FL Ohio Bird Fair, M. Drozdik, Youngstown, OH Yvonne's Swings and Things, Rochester, NY Faunalink Foundation, plant City, FL Old World Aviaries, Austin, TX Ziegler Bros, Inc., Gardners, PA Feathered Follies, Walnut Creek, CA Original Flying Machine, Phoenix, AI. Zoological Imports IZllnternational, Vernon Hills, IL Feeding Tech, Nineveh, IN Oukrop, ChriSty, Glendale, Al. Zupreem, Mission, KS

10 January/February 2001 hatch, or an arrangement can be made Macgillivrays, mature sexually as late low ceiling of the nest area in the boot so that the male can feed the female as five or even six years of age. If a area does not allow enough heat to through a wire or other barrier, but mature pair is healthy and bonded, as escape for the comfort of the hen and cannot enter the nest area. indicated by mutual feeding, and if the chicks. 'If a pair seems less than enthu. The use of indestructible fake eggs owner is prepared to make the com­ siastic about one type of nestbox, offer is sometimes effective to break the egg mitment necessary to raise babies, the them a different style. destruction habit of males. These eggs birds are ready for a nestbox. Some Eclectus pairs mate inside the can be purchased where breeding In my opinion, young bonded birds nestbox so it is necessary to provide supplies are found. can be given a nestbox, but if a male enough space for both birds, without Birds that were hatched from artifi­ and female Eclectus have only recently providing enough excess space for cially incubated eggs and handfed been introduced and are not yet engag­ eggs or young chicks to get lost along from day one sometimes have difficul­ ing in mutual feeding, it is best to delay the sides of the nest. After trying near­ ty with parenting skills that are natural providing them a nestbox until mutual ly all the configurations of nestboxes, to parent-reared birds. A hen might feeding has been observed. This is one the favorite of my small flock of dutifully brood her chicks but fail to of the few indications of bonding in Vosmaeri Eclectus Parrots is a 24 inch feed them, seemingly oblivious that Eclectus pairs since mutual preening is tall grandfather style box with 12 x 12 they are crying for food and that they not as prevalent as it is in many other inch nest area. will starve to death without it. parrot species. Many breeders use large, clean pine One such female frustrated my If one provides a nestbox too soon, shavings for nestbox substrate although every attempt to teach her to feed her the hen of a new pair might well dis­ it can be difficult to locate a source of chicks. I tried swapping her newly appear into the nestbox for up to 23 large shavings rather than small pieces hatched baby for a week old baby that hours a day, giving the pair no chance and sawdust. It is important to provide could beg louder and longer. I also to continue the bonding process. pieces of wood large enough Jor the tried removing her new babies for Mutual feeding is critical to the suc­ hen to shred to make her nest. With a handfeeding several times a day and cessful rearing of young. The male planer and a clean, untreated 1 x 6 inch then returning them to the nest, hop­ must feed the female so that she can pine board, one can make large pieces ing that their hungry cries at feeding incubate the eggs and feed her young of shavings. Otherwise, small pieces of time would stimulate her to feed them. while he delivers the necessary food the board can be cut for the hen to I even tried showing her how to feed via regurgitation. chew inside the nestbox. the baby, using my finger tips as a Both birds will enjoy shredding stand-in for her beak. Nestbox Types clean branches from safe trees. In the After a year, when I had complete­ Eclectus are not particular about wild, the pair works together to exca­ ly given up on her ever feeding, I was where they nest. They will use a Z­ vate a nest in the hollow of a tree. pleasantly surprised to discover that shaped nestbox, a boot-shaped box, a Chewing wood in the deep, dark hol­ her new chick had been fed! Now she horizontal box, a hollow log turned low is thought to be an important part feeds like an old pro and there has upright or horizontal, or a grandfather of the stimulation required by the never been another problem with her. style box - an upright rectangular box female for ovulation. Working together Once the birds figure out the logis­ with a four to five-inch diameter open­ on the nest site is a natural part of the tics of breeding, egg sitting, and raising ing in the upper third of the front of bonding process leading up to mating. chicks, many Eclectus females are so the box and an inspection door in the determined to lay eggs that having the lower third of the back of the box. A Eggs nestbox taken away is only a minor ladder must be provided from the Eclectus pairs usually lay two eggs inconvenience to them. They will lay opening to the floor of the nest. per clutch. Hens of the smaller eggs in any reasonable facsimile of a Some breeders prefer the boot style Solomon Island subspecies sometimes nest. The owner, of course, must (or L-shape box) which is the same lay three eggs. Usually, there are two restore the nestbox when it becomes configuration as a grandfather box days between the laying of the first obvious that egg laying is imminent. except for an additional floor area (the and the second egg. One could say Some of the tell-tale signs that a hen is horizontal part of the L) for the nest. that the eggs are laid on day one and about to lay are a bulge in the vent The advantage of this style is that the day four. However, the eggs usually area and loose droppings. birds cannot jump directly onto the hatch with only one day between Eclectus Parrots become mature eggs when entering the nest. eggs. That is, they hatch on day one enough to breed at the age of two to My aviaries are locatcd in the sub­ and day threc. Some hens do not seri­ five years. The smaller Solomon Island tropical climate of South Florida, so ously start to incubate their eggs until subspecies can reproduce as early as even though I would prefer the L­ the last egg is laid and others incubate two years of age. Some of the larger shaped boot box, due to the high tem­ from the time the first egg is laid. It is subspecies, such as the Vosmaeris and perature during much of the year, the thought that Eclectus hens turn their

the afa WATCHBIRD 11 eggs once an hour and that the tem­ time. Once mating is over, I am once few days or weeks, the parents will perature of the eggs during incubation again allowed to interact with them. come to expect the babies to leave the is 98.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If one does not have a close rela­ nest prematurely and might never feed By the time an egg is five days old, tionship with an Eclectus pair, the birds their chicks to the fledging stage. In one can see evidence of fertility with must be removed from the nesting area fact, at the time that they expect the the aid of a candler or mag-lite. Small before checking eggs or chicks in order chicks to be pulled, many hens will red spidery veins radiating outward to avoid personal injury, broken eggs, pluck the down feathers from the from a small, dark spot in the egg alert or injured chicks. An untamed female chicks, starting with the backside of the breeder that the egg is fertile. Eclectus can be quite aggressive in her the chick and eventually stripping the Since the hen turns the egg only attempt to protect her eggs and chicks. entire body. once per hour, I think it is best not to Even so, I have never heard of an handle the eggs. The embryo is under­ Eclectus hen that would fly at the care­ Tips and Tricks going important developmental giver, as the occasional Amazon parrot of Eclectus Breeding changes at any given time during incu­ is known to do. Here are a few tips for those inter­ bation, and we do not know what However, being the devoted par­ ested in breeding Eclectus Parrots. effect an extra tum or two might have ents that Eclectus pairs certainly are, 1. If possible, raise the male and on the embryo. It is possible that many they will defend their nest with fervor female together. If they are paired at a dead in shell babies are the result of if they feel threatened. later time, allowing them to select their rough handling and contamination of mate from a colony situation increases the egg. Bacteria from our hands can be Incubation and Hatching the likelihood of successful breeding. transported to the developing embryo Eclectus hens sit tightly on their eggs 2. Keeping only Eclectus Parrots in through the porous shell with disastrous and leave the nest only a few times a the immediate vicinity is helpful. results. One should be able to candle day to eliminate and drink water. Some Although they will breed with other eggs without handling them. hens also spend a few minutes eating. parrot species around, the chances that Infertile eggs should be left with the Other hens depend entirely on the they will breed successfully are hen for the full 28 days required for male for food which he dutifully deliv­ increased by providing privacy from incubation. Otherwise, a hen can ers to the nestbox entrance many times louder parrot species. The presence of become trained to abandon future a day. As the hatch date approaches, other Eclectus pairs within hearing nests at the same time that her first few the hen can be heard making a shrill range can strengthen pair bonding, but nests of eggs were pulled. Allowing and persistent cry, very much like that a visual barrier is necessary to prevent the hen to incubate the eggs for the of a young chick. This seems to he of squabbling between neighboring pairs. full cycle also helps to prevent the great interest to the male who prompt­ 3. Nesthoxes should not he given to depletion of calcium from her system if ly delivers food to the nest. newly paired adults before evidence of she lays too often. Eclectus hens Fertile Ecleclus eggs generally bonding is seen. If the hen starts living would lay year round if not forced to hatch in 28 days. The chicks hatch in the nestbox before she has trained take a break. Many breeders remove blind and naked, but are pink and the male to feed her, successful breed­ nestboxes during the hottest months of hearty looking. Some hens do not ing is less likely. Hens spend up to 23 the year to allow the birds to rest and feed the newly-hatched chick for the hours a day in the nestbox. Some pairs to rebuild calcium stores. first 12 to 24 hours as the chick lay clear eggs for the first year when absorbs the yolk sac; others feed the the nestbox is given too soon. Owner as Third Wheel chicks shortly after hatching. 4. Nesthox location is not as critical One of the characteristics that If an owner checks after 24 hours to once a pair has started producing, hut appreciate most about Eclectus Parrots be sure that a first-time parent is feed­ initially it is important to position it in is that their strong bond with the ing her new chick, it is important to­ the highest part of the aviary with the owner continues during nesting. Most know what to expect. A one or two­ greatest possible degree of privacy. parrot species will not allow human day old chick that has been fed has a The location should he protected from interference with their eggs and chicks. tiny bulge in the crop about the size of sources of stress such as predators However, if the breeder enjoys a close half an English pea. Often, a new (hawks, cats, rodents, reptiles, rac­ bond with an Eclectus pair, he or she owner mistakenly assumes that the coons, and opossums) as well as loud will be trusted to candle eggs and han­ chick has not been fed and pulls the noises, auto traffic, other pets, and dle babies. The only exception, in my chick for handfeeding because of the children. experience, is that the birds do not small size of the full crop at this stage. 5. Wood should be provided to appreciate interaction with the caregiv­ It is important to allow first-time both the male and female Eclectus for er during the days of actual mating. My Eclectus parents to raise their new chewing. It is an important part of their males - who are not biters - will nip chick(s) for as long as they will feed pre-mating ritual. In the wild, they me if I go near their mates during this them. If one pulls the chicks after a would work together to excavate a nest

12 January/February 2001 ec eggs. Hyperactivity caused by the over­ ell CD supplementation of vitamins can lead to CIlo m:::I mate aggression and physical injuty. .c>. o 7. When breeding Eclectus Parrots (5 .c Cl. indoors, an increase in daylight hours can stimulate the production of repro­ ductive hormones and breeding behavior. Automatic timers are the most efficient way to gradually increase daylight hours. 8. There is no information available about the effect of bathing on Eclectus breeder pairs, but when my birds are mating, they are eager for any type of bath. Natural rain baths are their favorite of course, but they enjoy spritz baths from spray bottles as well as bathing in a shallow pool of water. 9. When all else fails to get a newly mature Eclectus pair interested in breeding, a change of scenety can Let the good times roll. This is what all Eclectus breeders like to see. have the desired effect. A move to a different aviaty with a new nestbox is '0o o sometimes sufficient stimulus for a pair Ol Q) o to go to nest. .~ (f) c 10. There are a few nutritional tricks >. (5 ro that are considered helpful to stimulate () .c>. breeding. Since evety living creature o (5 .c has a unique chemical makeup, no one Cl. remedy fits all. Here are a few sub­ stances that are reputed to be effective in some instances. Herbal remedies such as chamomile tea, kava, passion flower, valerian root, and other relaxing herbs can have a calming effect and help stressed birds to settle down and go to nest. Hemp seeds have been reported to have a stimulating effect on breeding birds. Fresh, raw wheat germ is given to some breeding parrots to boost to vitamin E levels, thought to be important for successful breeding. Moderation is important and straight vit­ Three young Vosmaeri Eclectus Parrots amin E, which is much too stimulating even to the point of causing mate high in a tree. Safe, clean tree branches enzymes, and hardboiled eggs with aggression, should be avoided. in the aviaty are a good substitute. shells should be provided for protein 6. Food tuust be provided in abun­ and calcium. Supplemental vitamins If given the proper diet in an appro­ dance evety day to reassure the pair and minerals should not be added if an priate setting, Eclectus Parrots are rela­ that enough food will be available to adequate diet is provided and the birds tively easy to breed. Eclectus chicks raise chicks, simulating a time of plenty are outside with access to sunshine are in great demand for their excep­ in the wild. Soft foods such as cooked which aids in the production of vitamin tional beauty and great pet quality. heans, brown rice, com, and sweet D, which affects calcium absorption. If Even newcomers to the art of parrot potatoes are a favorite of Eclectus pairs. raised indoors with artificial lighting, an breeding are likely to be successful in Fresh green foods including sprouts avian vet might prescribe a calcium their endeavor to breed the exquiSitely should be included for a live source of suppletuent for hens that are laying beautiful Eclectus Parrot. ~

the afa WATCHBIRD 13