Hubbry Logo
EclectusEclectusMain
Open search
Eclectus
Community hub
Eclectus
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Eclectus
Eclectus
Eclectus
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Eclectus
A pair of Papuan eclectus parrots (Eclectus polychloros)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Tribe: Psittaculini
Genus: Eclectus
Wagler, 1832
Type species
Psittacus grandis[1]
Gmelin, 1788
Species

4 extant, 1 extinct (see text)

Eclectus is a genus of parrot, the Psittaciformes, which consists of four known extant species known as eclectus parrots and the extinct Eclectus infectus, the oceanic eclectus parrot. The extant eclectus parrots are medium-sized parrots native to regions of Oceania, particularly New Guinea and Australia. Males are mostly bright green, females are predominantly bright red. The male and female eclectus were once thought to be different species. The conservation status of the remaining species is least concern.[2] Eclectus parrots do well in captivity, and are a very popular pet across the world.

Description

[edit]

The eclectus parrots are the most sexually dimorphic of all the parrot species. The contrast between the brilliant emerald green plumage of the male and the deep red/purple plumage of the female is so marked that the birds were, until the early 20th century, considered to be different species. Eclectus parrots generally have a big head and a short tail, and are striking in their coloration. They measure about 35–42 cm (14–17 in) in length.[2] They unusually exhibit reverse sexual dichromatism, a form of sexual dimorphism where the two sexes have differential coloration. Males are mostly green, with bright red underwings, blue primaries, and a yellow beak, while females are a striking red with a royal blue underbelly and black beak.[3]

Usually when birds exhibit reversed sexual dimorphism, it comes with a sex role reversal, in which the males who usually gather food are left to incubate eggs, while the female forages. It is important to note that in the eclectus, no such sex role reversal occurs. The male still forages, while the female incubates the eggs. Research has shown this dimorphism with no role reversal is a product of the rare nest hollows, and the selective pressures that accompany this.[4][5]

It is thought that sexual selection has affected these birds in this way in order to provide camouflage for the male, while making the female a beacon, which is not what is usually seen in sexually dimorphic birds.[4] Good nesting sites are rare to come by, so the female's bright coloration alerts other males to females with hollows in the area, with whom they can then mate. It also serves as a signal to other females that the nesting site is occupied. The male is primarily responsible for obtaining food for the female and chicks, so his green coloration provides adequate camouflage from predators, such as peregrine falcons, while he is in the rainforest canopy in search of food. The male also has UV coloration in his feathers, which allows him to appear extra radiant to females, who are able to visualize the UV spectrum, yet remain camouflaged to predators who cannot. This unique coloration is evidence of an evolutionary compromise between the need to attract and compete for mates, and the risk of predation.[4][5]

The reported lifespan of Eclectus sp. varies widely, from ~20 years to more than 60 years. This range is largely due to their relatively recent popularity in aviculture, with many individuals in captivity having not yet reached their natural lifespan. Many owners of eclectus parrots have reported ages upwards of 45 years, noting their birds show no obvious signs of age-related health decline.

Taxonomy

[edit]

The genus was named by Johann Georg Wagler in 1832. The epithet derives from eklektos, the ancient Greek cum Latin term for 'chosen one'; Wagler acknowledges the Latin in a publication later the same year.[6]

There are five species presently recognized in this genus:[7][8][9]

  • Moluccan eclectus (Eclectus roratus) with three subspecies.
    • Eclectus roratus roratus (grand eclectus) - central Moluccas including Buru, Seram, Ambon, Haruku and Saparua
    • Eclectus roratus vosmaeri - northern Moluccas including Morotai, Halmahera and Obi
    • †Eclectus roratus westermani
  • Sumba eclectus (Eclectus cornelia) - Sumba in the Lesser Sunda Archipelago
  • Papuan eclectus (Eclectus polychloros) with three subspecies. The former subspecies aruensis and biaki are now included within the nominate subspecies, polychloros.
    • Eclectus polychloros polychloros - southeastern Moluccas including Aru and Kai islands, and New Guinea (including Biak Islands)
    • Eclectus polychloros solomonensis - Bismarck Archipelago (including Admiralty islands) and Solomon islands
    • Eclectus polychloros macgillivrayi (Australian eclectus) - Cape York Peninsula and northeast Queensland

Prior to 2023, all extant forms were classified as a single species, the eclectus parrot (E. roratus). The eclectus parrot was split into four species by the IOC in 2023; this had previously been done by the IUCN and BirdLife International.[7][9][10] The oceanic eclectus is thought to be from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene Epoch, and was found in Vanuatu, Fiji, and on the Tonga Archipelago. It became extinct around 3,000 years ago as a result of human settlement in these areas during that time.[2]

Females of the Papuan (or red-sided), Solomon Island, Australian, Aru Island, and Biaki eclectus all display a blue eye ring, blue breast, and do not have yellow in their plumage. The grand eclectus and Vosmaer's eclectus both lack the blue eye ring, and have a purple breast. Both the Tanimbar Island and Sumba Island eclectus are completely red, but the Sumba Island eclectus is larger than the Tanimbar, while the Tanimbar has yellow on its tail. The Australian eclectus is the largest of all the subspecies, at 37 cm (15 in).[11]

Habitat and distribution

[edit]

The eclectus parrot is endemic to rainforests from New Guinea to the Solomon Islands, and the tip of the Cape York Peninsula of Australia. On the peninsula, they are restricted to rainforest patches in the Iron and McIllwraith ranges.[3] Though geographically, the areas of Papua New Guinea and Australia where these parrots live seem relatively close together, these parrots do not fly enough to be able to cross the 70 miles between the peninsula and mainland Papua New Guinea. As such, it is thought that they expanded from Papua New Guinea into Australia around 10,000 years ago, when the two were connected by a land bridge. They prefer to stay in the canopy level of the rainforests, and can nest anywhere from 20 to 30 meters (66 to 98 ft) above the ground. Breeding hollows lower than this height tend to flood easily in the rainforest climate, and are generally avoided if possible.[3][12]

Behavior

[edit]

Vocalizations

[edit]

Eclectus parrots have a varied range of calls, from a loud, high-pitched squawk to whistles and screeches.[2] They have also been observed to make a chime-like call when a male returns to the nest with food, in what seems to be a show of gratitude or an acknowledgement of return.[13]

Diet

[edit]

In the wild, eclectus parrots primarily feed on various fruits and their pulp. However, they will also feed on seeds, leaf buds, blossoms, nectar, figs, and nuts. They are frequently found to be eating the pulp of the fruit of Salacia chinensis (lolly berry) and Leea indica (bandicoot berry), and the seeds of Dodonaea lanceolata. These items are of high nutritional value to the birds.[13]

These parrots eat intermittently, in order to increase food storage capacity and process meals as quickly and efficiently as possible. They have special adaptations in their digestive system to help them with this. Their esophagus is wide and flexible, to allow the fast passage of food and rapid digestion, and their proventriculus (glandular region between the crop and gizzard) is elongated and highly distensible, allowing it to hold comparable amounts of food as the crop. Eclectus parrots can produce the fat they do not get from their diet endogenously in their liver, from hexose sugars found in the fruit pulp they eat.[13]

After securing a good nesting hollow, females generally never leave the nest unless threatened, so the males are primarily responsible for feeding the female and her chicks. They have been observed to travel long distances in search of food, some over a 30 km2 (12 sq mi) range. The males usually feed the female in the mornings and the afternoons, and generally stick to a strict and regulated feeding schedule.[13]

Reproduction

[edit]

As stated previously, eclectus parrots nest in hollow cavities 20 to 30 meters above the ground. Optimal nesting hollows are relatively rare within the eclectus' habitat, and can be very difficult to find.[12] As such, females tend to monopolize good nesting hollows once found, staying there up to 11 months a year, and returning to the same nest at times for multiple years. Females have been known to fight off other females, sometimes to the death, to defend their nesting hollows. Males have been known to travel unusually large distances to mate with females, the longest found being 7.2 kilometers (4.5 miles).[3]

Eclectus parrots are unusual among parrots because they exhibit both polyandrous mating (females mate with multiple males) and polygynandrous mating (males mate with multiple females and females mate with multiple males).[3] Even more unusual, these birds exhibit a form of polyandry known as cooperative polyandry,[14] in which multiple males breed with a single female, and all the males work together to help the female raise the chicks, rather than compete with each other. They are the only parrot known to do this. Females will lay two eggs per clutch, but often only fledge one young.[15]

Eclectus are also unusual in that they can bias the sex of their offspring, such that they can manipulate whether their offspring are male or female.[15] It is thought that this behavior occurs as a result of the scarcity of their nesting hollows.[12][3] As such, females will only have male offspring when resources are plentiful, a good nesting hollow is secured, and many males are around to feed her and her offspring.[3]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Eclectus

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Eclectus is a genus of parrots belonging to the family Psittaculidae, consisting of five species—four extant and one extinct—that are native to the Indo-Pacific region and noted for their pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males typically exhibiting bright green plumage and females vivid red. These medium-sized birds, measuring 30–35 cm in length and weighing 400–600 g, inhabit the canopies of lowland tropical rainforests, mangroves, and adjacent woodlands, where they forage for fruits, seeds, nuts, and blossoms using their strong, curved beaks. The genus Eclectus, established by Johann Georg Wagler in 1832, currently encompasses the Moluccan eclectus (E. roratus), Papuan eclectus (E. polychloros), Sumba eclectus (E. cornelia), Tanimbar eclectus (E. riedeli), and the extinct oceanic eclectus (E. infectus). Recent taxonomic revisions, based on genetic and morphological analyses, have elevated several subspecies of the former single species E. roratus to full species status, reflecting distinct plumage variations, vocalizations, and geographic isolation. The distribution spans from northeastern Australia and the Solomon Islands through New Guinea to the Maluku and Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia, with the extinct E. infectus known from late Holocene fossils in Tonga and Vanuatu. Eclectus parrots are primarily arboreal and social, often forming flocks of up to 20 individuals outside the breeding season, and are known for their loud, screeching calls that serve territorial and communicative functions. Their diet is herbivorous, emphasizing a variety of wild fruits and vegetable matter, which they consume while perched high in the forest canopy at elevations from sea level to 1,900 m. Breeding occurs in tree hollows, with clutches of one to two eggs incubated mainly by the female for about 26–28 days; notably, these parrots exhibit cooperative breeding, where multiple adults may assist in rearing young, leading to fledging after 11–13 weeks. Conservation concerns for extant species include habitat destruction from logging and agriculture, as well as illegal trapping for the pet trade, resulting in population declines; statuses vary by species, with the Moluccan and Papuan eclectus listed as Least Concern, the Tanimbar eclectus as Vulnerable, and the Sumba eclectus as Endangered by the IUCN (as of 2024), all showing decreasing trends in several regions, and all species are protected under CITES Appendix II. In captivity, eclectus parrots can live 20–50 years, though wild lifespans are less documented; their striking appearance and relative docility have made them popular aviary birds since the 19th century.

Physical characteristics

Morphology

Adult eclectus parrots of the genus Eclectus are medium-sized birds, typically measuring 30-35 cm in total body length, with a wingspan of approximately 23-25 cm and a tail length of 12-15 cm. Size and weight vary slightly across species, ranging from 30-37 cm in length and 350-600 g, with males tending to be slightly heavier on average than females. These parrots possess zygodactyl feet, featuring two toes directed forward and two backward, which provide a strong grip essential for perching and climbing in their arboreal environment. Their beak is strong and curved, with a hook-shaped upper mandible that extends beyond the lower one, adapted for cracking hard nuts and seeds. The skeletal structure is robust, supporting their active, tree-dwelling lifestyle through reinforced bones that facilitate powerful flight and manipulation of objects. Eclectus parrots can live 20-50 years in captivity; wild lifespans are less well documented. Chicks fledge at around 10-13 weeks of age, become independent by 6 months, and reach sexual maturity between 3-6 years, during which they experience rapid growth in body size and feather development. Distinctive coloration patterns emerge fully by maturity, though these vary by sex.

Plumage and sexual dimorphism

Eclectus parrots exhibit one of the most pronounced examples of in avian , with males and females displaying starkly contrasting colors that were once mistaken for separate by early ornithologists. Males possess predominantly emerald , providing effective in forested environments, complemented by an orange upper , a yellow lower , and that are visible during wing extension. The underwing coverts in males are often a vivid red, adding a subtle flash to their otherwise verdant appearance. In contrast, females feature a bright red head, chest, and underparts, with green wings, a predominantly tail tipped in , and a fully beak, creating a bold, conspicuous profile. This reversed dichromatism—where females are more vibrantly colored than males—deviates from the typical pattern in birds and is thought to serve functions beyond mere visual distinction. Juvenile eclectus parrots hatch with down feathers and develop duller of as they grow, with sex-specific colors emerging gradually; full dimorphism is typically achieved by 3-4 years of age, coinciding with . During this transition, beak colors in juveniles start as brownish or streaked , maturing to the adult patterns. Plumage intensity varies across species, with populations in the Solomon Islands (Papuan eclectus) displaying deeper reds in females compared to the brighter scarlets seen in . These variations reflect local adaptations but maintain the core dimorphic traits. The adaptive significance of this dimorphism likely involves and signaling; the green blends with foliage during in tree canopies, reducing predation , while the red coloration may mimic in resource-rich areas or signal nest and mate attraction in polyandrous breeding systems.

Taxonomy and systematics

Classification and evolutionary history

The genus Eclectus is classified within the subfamily Psittacinae of the family Psittaculidae, which encompasses the parrots, and the order Psittaciformes. This placement positions Eclectus among the parrots, distinct from the Neotropical Arinae subfamily and the Australasian-endemic Strigopidae and Cacatuidae families. Parrots of the order Psittaciformes originated in , with molecular phylogenies and indicating early diversification in Australasian lineages during the to epochs. The crown Psittacidae dates to approximately million years ago, with the Psittaculidae subfamily—to which Eclectus belongs—emerging around 27.5 million years ago (95% highest posterior interval: 19.7–32.8 million years ago). Closest relatives of Eclectus include other Indo-Pacific parrots such as those in the genera Psittacella and lorikeets (Trichoglossini), reflecting a shared divergence from ancestral lineages during the , around 20–25 million years ago, amid tectonic changes in the Australasian . records from deposits in Australia, including taxa like Nelepsittacus (dated to 15.9 million years ago), underscore this period of parrot radiation in Gondwanan-derived habitats. Genetic studies using multilocus and mitogenomic data have confirmed the monophyly of Eclectus, placing it firmly within Psittaculidae and supporting its distinction from related genera. These analyses reveal low interspecies genetic divergence within the genus, consistent with a recent radiation beginning approximately 1.38 million years ago during the Pleistocene, driven by island colonization and isolation in the Indo-Australian archipelago. The Eclectus was first described by German ornithologist in 1832, initially encompassing the now known as E. roratus, which had been named earlier by Statius in 1776 under a different . Early classifications often allied Eclectus with lories to plumage similarities, but 20th- and 21st-century revisions, informed by , have refined its position. In 2023, taxonomic authorities including eBird, the Clements , and elevated several of the single E. roratus to full status based on genetic divergence, plumage variations, vocalizations, and geographic isolation.

Species and subspecies

The genus Eclectus currently comprises four extant species and one extinct species. The extant species are the Moluccan eclectus (E. roratus), Papuan eclectus (E. polychloros), Sumba eclectus (E. cornelia), and Tanimbar eclectus (E. riedeli). The Moluccan eclectus is found in the northern, central, and southern Moluccas of Indonesia. The Papuan eclectus occurs in New Guinea (including nearby islands such as Aru and Biak), the Solomon Islands, and northeastern Australia (Cape York Peninsula); it includes the subspecies E. p. aruensis, E. p. biaki, E. p. macgillivrayi, and E. p. solomonensis. The Sumba eclectus is endemic to Sumba Island, Indonesia, and the Tanimbar eclectus to the Tanimbar Islands, Indonesia. The IUCN Red List assesses the overall eclectus complex as Least Concern, though individual species face decreasing populations due to habitat loss and trade; all are protected under CITES Appendix II. Taxonomic debates continue on the boundaries of some forms, such as the genetic similarity between E. p. macgillivrayi and mainland New Guinea populations (less than 1% mitochondrial DNA difference), but the 2023 revisions support the current species-level distinctions. Historical records of forms like E. r. westwoodii from the Moluccas are considered synonyms or misidentifications of E. roratus. The genus also includes the extinct oceanic eclectus (E. infectus), known from subfossil remains in Tonga and Vanuatu (possibly Fiji) dated to the late Pleistocene and Holocene.

Habitat and distribution

Geographic range

The eclectus parrots, comprising several species in the genus Eclectus, are native to the Australasian region. The Moluccan eclectus (E. roratus) is found on the islands of Indonesia's Moluccas (including Halmahera, Bacan, Buru, Seram, Ambon, and surrounding islets). The Papuan eclectus (E. polychloros) occurs in the lowland forests of New Guinea (both Indonesian Papua and Papua New Guinea), the Bismarck Archipelago, the Admiralty Islands, the Solomon Islands, and the northeastern tip of Australia on the Cape York Peninsula. The Sumba eclectus (E. cornelia) is endemic to Sumba Island in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. The Tanimbar eclectus (E. riedeli) is restricted to the Tanimbar Islands (Yamdena and Larat) in Indonesia. Introduced populations have been established in Palau through escapes and releases from the pet trade, where they now occur in forested areas and pose some ecological concerns as non-native birds. Across their range, population estimates differ by species: the Papuan eclectus (E. polychloros) numbers 990,000–1,100,000 mature individuals (as of 2019), primarily concentrated in New Guinea's lowlands where densities can reach abundant levels; the (E. roratus) is estimated at 7,300–51,000 mature individuals (as of 2019) in the Moluccas; the Sumba eclectus (E. cornelia) at 1,000–2,499 mature individuals (as of 2019); and the Tanimbar eclectus (E. riedeli) at 6,600–10,000 mature individuals (as of 2019). Historical range contractions have occurred due to human activities like and , leading to local extirpations on islands such as Haruku and Saparua in the Moluccas, though core populations remain viable in protected rainforest areas. Eclectus parrots are largely sedentary residents within their habitats, showing no evidence of long-distance migration but occasional local or altitudinal movements in response to seasonal resource availability in some forested regions.

Environmental preferences

Eclectus parrots primarily inhabit lowland tropical rainforests characterized by dense canopies and abundant fruiting trees, where they occupy the upper layers for and nesting. These environments provide the tall, mature trees necessary for their arboreal , with populations concentrated in regions offering year-round and rainfall to support lush . They exhibit a strong preference for edge habitats adjacent to rivers and natural clearings, which facilitate access to foraging sites while offering partial cover from predators. This positioning allows males to patrol larger areas efficiently, scanning for food resources in adjacent open spaces. Altitudinally, Eclectus parrots range from sea level up to 1,900 meters in montane forests, though they are most abundant below 1,000 meters and avoid arid lowlands. Eclectus parrots maintain close ecological ties with and palm trees, relying on these as sources and inadvertently aiding in through their frugivorous habits. Their presence enhances regeneration in these communities. To cope with seasonal fluctuations in availability, they demonstrate flexibility in ranging , with males covering extensive ranges to locate dispersed resources. Additionally, they tolerate moderate disturbance, persisting in secondary forests and selectively logged areas where canopy remains partially intact.

Behavior and ecology

Diet and foraging

Eclectus parrots have a frugivorous diet, with pulp comprising the of their , supplemented by , nuts, buds, , and . This composition reflects their to the nutrient-rich but variable resources of canopies, where soft, juicy fruits provide essential simple sugars like glucose and for . and nuts contribute concentrated nutrients, including fats and proteins, while offer supplementary micronutrients. Key dietary plants include figs from Ficus species, pandanus fruits, and canopy nuts such as those from Canarium and Parinarium trees, alongside other fruits like those from Syzygium and Salacia chinensis. These selections prioritize abundant, easily accessible resources in the upper forest layers, with parrots often targeting soft-skinned fruits for quick consumption. Nutrient needs emphasize high fat levels from nuts to support their active foraging lifestyle, while the overall low-protein profile of fruits is balanced by selective seed intake during scarcer periods. Foraging typically occurs in small flocks of 2-5 individuals, occasionally up to 9, allowing coordinated while minimizing , with males often over large ranges ( 30 km²). Birds use their powerful, hooked beaks to cling to branches, manipulate foliage, crack hard nuts, and extract pulp or , employing intermittent feeding patterns with morning (0600-0930) and afternoon (1530-1830) sessions to bulky, wet foods efficiently. Daily consumption involves substantial volumes of , with seasonal adjustments toward more and nuts when declines. Regurgitation serves as a key behavior for food sharing, particularly among associated individuals, enhancing social bonds and nutrient distribution within groups.

Social structure and vocalizations

Eclectus parrots exhibit a cooperative breeding system characterized by polyandry, in which a single female forms long-term associations with multiple males that assist in provisioning her and her offspring. Females maintain solitary occupancy of nest hollows for 7–9 months annually, aggressively defending these sites against intruders, while males forage in loose flocks of 1–5 individuals (up to 9 observed) and deliver food to the female. Nesting is strictly solitary, with no cooperative nest guarding beyond male provisioning. Social interactions are structured around intrasexual competition rather than strict age- or pair-based hierarchies, with females vying intensely for limited nest hollows and males competing for mating access to females. Aggression is minimal outside breeding contexts, primarily manifesting as displays near nests, such as open-beak threats or physical confrontations among males; overall, groups show low levels of intra-flock conflict during foraging. Foraging flocks typically comprise small numbers of males, averaging 2–4 birds, facilitating efficient food location in rainforest canopies. Vocalizations form a key component of communication, with including harsh screeches and squawks and flight calls, often produced while foraging or traveling between trees. Contact calls consist of softer nasal whistles, clicks, and chattering to maintain group cohesion during loose flock movements. Eclectus parrots also engage in , imitating the calls of other bird species to blend into mixed foraging groups or deter threats. Non-vocal signals complement vocal communication, including head bobbing and wing-flashing displays to assert or signal , particularly by males approaching a female's nest. Allopreening occurs among associated males and females, strengthening cooperative bonds during provisioning periods. Daily activity is diurnal with peaks in vocalizing at and , aligning with crepuscular foraging transitions in their .

Reproduction and life cycle

Breeding behavior

The breeding season of Eclectus parrots varies by region, often aligning with periods of abundance such as the from May to in , where nests have been observed from to late . In , breeding typically occurs from to during the . This timing supports increased of fruits and essential for . Courtship involves females selecting and defending nest sites, after which multiple males compete to provide food to the female through mutual feeding behaviors, a key ritual that strengthens associations. Males may deliver regurgitated food to the female at the nest entrance, and this provisioning can involve up to five males per female in cooperative systems. While pair bonding contributes to these interactions, the focus here is on reproductive rituals rather than general social communication. Nest sites are natural tree cavities in emergent rainforest trees, typically 10-30 meters above ground, with entrances facing sideways for protection; females do not build nests but line the hollow with wood chips produced by chewing the interior walls. These sites, such as those in or species, average 84 cm deep and 34 cm wide at the entrance, providing secure, elevated locations. Clutches consist of 2-3 eggs on average, laid directly on the prepared cavity floor, with an incubation period of 26-28 days primarily handled by the female while males continue provisioning. High fidelity to nest sites is exhibited, with approximately 86% of females returning to the same site across breeding seasons, supporting repeated use. The mating system is characterized by cooperative polyandry, where females mate with multiple males.

Development and parental care

Upon hatching after an incubation period of 25-28 days, Eclectus chicks (Eclectus roratus) are altricial, emerging blind, featherless, and weighing 14-17 grams. The provides brooding care to maintain warmth and for the newly hatched chicks, while the delivers provisions to the at the nest; both parents subsequently regurgitate crop contents to feed the nestlings. Chicks exhibit rapid growth, with down feathers beginning to emerge around 10 days post-hatch and developing into a thick coat by 3 weeks; pin feathers appear shortly thereafter, leading to full body coverage by 9 weeks. Initial flight attempts occur around 8 weeks, culminating in fledging at 10-12 weeks, after which young birds achieve independence between 4 and 6 months of age. Sexual maturity is reached at 3-5 years. Sibling competition among Eclectus chicks remains low, consistent with patterns observed in many parrot species, contributing to relatively high fledging success rates of 54% in undisturbed nesting sites.

Conservation

Threats and status

The Eclectus parrots, encompassing several taxa within the genus, are generally assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List due to their extensive range across New Guinea, the Moluccas, and surrounding islands, with estimated mature populations ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million individuals in core areas. However, certain island-restricted taxa face elevated risks, including the Tanimbar Eclectus (Eclectus riedeli), classified as Vulnerable owing to ongoing habitat degradation and poaching, and the Sumba Eclectus (Eclectus cornelia), deemed Endangered primarily from trapping pressures. Population trends across Eclectus taxa are decreasing, driven by loss and exploitation, though the scale varies by ; for instance, the Papuan Eclectus maintains a large but declining of 990,000–1,100,000 mature individuals, while the has seen notable on islands like Obi, where harvests exceed 800 birds. for and poses the primary , fragmenting lowland rainforests essential for nesting and , with selective exacerbating degradation in Indonesian populations. Illegal remains a significant pressure, particularly in Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, where hundreds to thousands of individuals are trapped annually despite CITES Appendix II protections, contributing to local extirpations. Monitoring efforts, including periodic surveys rather than annual censuses, indicate stable core populations in New Guinea's rainforests for the Papuan Eclectus, where the species remains common and abundant despite inferred declines from habitat trends. In contrast, Indonesian islands like Seram and Sumba show concerning localized drops, with recent counts as low as dozens of individuals in surveyed areas, underscoring the need for enhanced tracking to inform conservation.

Protection measures

The Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) is protected under the () Appendix II, a designation it has held since , which requires permits for international trade to ensure it does not threaten the species' survival in the wild. This listing has facilitated monitoring and control of commercial exports, particularly from key range countries like and , where illegal trade previously posed significant risks. Several protected areas safeguard portions of the Eclectus parrot's habitat across its range. In Indonesia, Lorentz National Park in Papua province encompasses lowland rainforests critical for the species, providing legal safeguards against logging and poaching within its boundaries. Similarly, in Papua New Guinea, the Managalas Plateau Conservation Area in Oro Province protects forested habitats where Eclectus parrots occur, supporting broader biodiversity efforts that include anti-poaching patrols. These areas collectively cover significant forest ecosystems essential for the parrot's persistence. Conservation initiatives for the Eclectus involve and restoration projects led by international organizations and NGOs. The Trust supports anti-trafficking and efforts in and , including community-based to restore degraded lowland forests. groups like PROFAUNA conduct and programs in North Maluku, targeting habitats amid ongoing threats. Additionally, zoo-based breeding programs worldwide contribute to ex-situ conservation, with facilities maintaining through managed breeding to captive assurance populations. In aviculture, sustainable captive breeding practices have reduced reliance on wild-caught Eclectus parrots by meeting pet trade demand through ethical sources. Organizations like the Eclectus Ark promote subspecies-specific breeding to preserve , minimizing pressure on natural populations. Guidelines from avicultural experts emphasize biosecure husbandry to prevent transmission, such as avoiding contact between captive and wild birds during rehabilitation or release efforts. These measures align with recommendations to curb unsustainable volumes observed in prior decades.

References

  1. https://science.ebird.org/en/use-ebird-data/the-ebird-taxonomy/2023-ebird-taxonomy-update
  2. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eclectus_roratus/
  3. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/eclectus-parrot-eclectus-roratus/
  4. https://itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=177541
  5. https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/introduction/updateindex/october-2023/updates-and-corrections/
  6. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/moluccan-eclectus-eclectus-roratus
  7. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/99e92f37-ebd8-4cdb-b64d-86dc4a0ae979/content
  8. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/tanimbar-eclectus-eclectus-riedeli
  9. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sumba-eclectus-eclectus-cornelia
  10. https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/papuan-eclectus-eclectus-polychloros
  11. https://lafeber.com/vet/basic-information-sheet-for-the-eclectus-parrot/
  12. https://www.webmd.com/pets/what-to-know-about-the-eclectus-parrot
  13. https://birdsupplies.com/pages/parrot-weight-chart
  14. https://aussieanimals.com/profiles/eclectus-parrot-eclectus-roratus-polychloros/
  15. https://veterinarykineticsrehab.com/basics-of-musculoskeletal-anatomy-in-birds/
  16. https://www.tenastetler.com/eclectus-articles/baby-eclectus-growing-now/
  17. https://parrots.org/encyclopedia/moluccan-eclectus/
  18. https://susanclubb.com/knowledge-center/bird-species-profiles/15-eclectus/46-grand-eclectus-parrot
  19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18689076/
  20. https://susanclubb.com/knowledge-center/bird-species-profiles/15-eclectus/48-solomon-island-eclectus-parrot
  21. https://birdsnways.com/eclectus-species-profile/
  22. https://eclectus-parrots.com/identification-of-subspecies/
  23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23157836_Ecology_and_Evolution_of_the_Enigmatic_Eclectus_Parrot_Eclectus_Roratus
  24. https://academic.oup.com/iob/article/doi/10.1093/iob/obaf028/8186150
  25. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eclectus_roratus/classification/
  26. https://bioone.org/journals/bulletin-of-the-american-museum-of-natural-history/volume-2024/issue-468/0003-0090.468.1.1/Revised-Evolutionary-and-Taxonomic-Synthesis-for-Parrots-Order--Psittaciformes/10.1206/0003-0090.468.1.1.full
  27. https://academic.oup.com/sysbio/article/72/1/228/6653321
  28. https://journals.ku.edu/eurojecol/article/view/11608
  29. https://itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt%3Bjsessionid=2113C3C1162EA97ABCE9E6E71D92AB6D?search_topic=TSN&search_value=177541
  30. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/eclpar1/cur/systematics
  31. https://journals.ku.edu/EuroJEcol/article/view/11608
  32. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/eclpar1/cur/distribution
  33. https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/lafebers-july-2025-conservation-spotlight-moluccan-eclectus-of-seram/
  34. https://www.birdhealth.com.au/research-wild-diet
  35. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/eclpar4/cur/foodhabits
  36. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227785773_Breeding_biology_of_the_reverse-dichromatic_co-operative_parrot_Eclectus_roratus
  37. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/eclpar1/cur/sounds
  38. https://wildambience.com/wildlife-sounds/eclectus-parrot/
  39. https://birdkeeper.dk/artikler-om-papeg-jearter/eclectus-overview-of-articles/generally-about-eclectus-parrots
  40. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836902003138
  41. https://eclectus-parrots.com/nesting-requirements/
  42. https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/birds/grand-eclectus-parrot/
  43. https://watchbird-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/watchbird/index.php/watchbird/article/view/866/848
  44. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340554025_Chick_growth_and_nutrient_requirement_during_rearing_period_on_eclectus_parrot_Eclectus_roratus_Muller_1776
  45. https://watchbird-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/watchbird/article/view/1610/1587
  46. https://www.avesint.com/eclgender.html
  47. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01584197.2019.1616211
  48. https://parrots.org/encyclopedia/tanimbar-eclectus/
  49. https://www.traffic.org/publications/reports/southeast-asian-parrot-species/
  50. https://www.traffic.org/site/assets/files/12341/a_review_of_trade_in_southeast_asian_parrot_species.pdf
  51. https://cites.org/eng/taxonomy/term/3047
  52. https://www.naturalworldheritagesites.org/sites/lorentz-national-park/
  53. https://parrots.org/projects/fighting-parrot-trafficking-in-indonesia-and-png/
  54. https://www.profauna.net/en/content/parrot-protection-program-north-maluku
  55. https://eclectusparrotcentre.com/eclectus-conservation/
  56. https://www.eclectusark.com/
  57. https://www.parrots.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025WPTImpactReport.pdf
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
Contribute something
User Avatar
No comments yet.