Loro Eclectus
Extreme sexual dimorphism: green male, red-purple female. Calm temperament. Very specific diet (fresh fruit/vegetables).
Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Ideal for
- ✓Families with time for daily interaction
- ✓Spacious homes (large birds need a room)
- ✓Those who accept a decades-long commitment (parrots are long-lived)
Reconsider if
- ×Households with no time to socialise
- ×Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise)
- ×Homes with no space for flight
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Is the Loro Eclectus a good match for you?
Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
💶 Estimated cost of ownership
40-70 €/month
Daily fresh fruit, vegetables and legumes 22-35 € (its diet is expensive); toys/foraging 8-15 €; avian vet apportionment 8-18 €. A large cage and the bird itself as an initial investment.
History and origin
An Oceanian parrot with extreme sexual dimorphism (green male, red-blue female); it requires a special diet high in fibre and low in synthetic supplements.
Temperament and character
Intelligence varies by species. Parrots form strong bonds with their humans. They need daily mental stimulation · NOT just a cage.
Living together
Children: depends on species + individual temperament. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except territorial species). **Larger pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.
Life stages of the Loro Eclectus
Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 30-50 años.
Chick
0-4 months
Hand-rearing, weaning, high-fibre diet
Juvenile
4 months-4 years
Socialisation, natural low-additive diet, flight
Adult
4-30 years
Toe-tapping/wing-flipping from excess vitamins, weight
Senior
30-50 years
Kidney/liver function, joints
Care
Cage: at least twice the size of the bird with its wings spread. A dedicated room is better.
Feeding: SEEDS are NOT a complete diet. A combination of pellets + daily fresh fruit/vegetables.
Free flight: at least 1-2 hours/day out of the cage in a safe area.
Veterinary care: an avian specialist vet (exotic vet). Annual check-up.
Care in detail
🍽️ Nutrition
A species with a long digestive tract and specific needs: a large proportion of fresh fruit and vegetables, cooked legumes and sprouted grains, with a smaller proportion of pellets low in colourings and added vitamins. Avoid excess synthetic supplements.
✂️ Grooming
Very striking hair-like plumage; frequent baths/mistings to maintain it. Natural perches for beak and nails.
🎓 Training
A calm, intelligent parrot; responds to positive reinforcement. It needs a stable routine and a stress-free environment, as it is prone to feather plucking.
🏃 Exercise
2-3 hours a day out of the cage with foraging and toys. Less hyperactive than a lory, but it needs constant mental stimulation.
Breed-specific health
Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 30-50 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, consider that you will share your whole adult life with it.
🩺 Health predispositions of this breed
Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.
Common diseases in birds
Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Screening and prevention for the Loro Eclectus
Recommended tests and screenings
- ✓PCR for psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci)
- ✓PCR for PBFD and polyomavirus
- ✓DNA sexing (although the dimorphism is obvious)
- ✓Annual complete blood count and biochemistry
- ✓Faecal analysis and monitoring of vitamin levels
Prevention
A diet VERY high in fresh fruit and vegetables and low in fat; it is especially sensitive to excess vitamins and synthetic colourings, which cause toe-tapping/wing-flipping syndrome. Quarantine, a spacious cage, daily flight and no Teflon fumes or aerosols.
Check-up schedule
Annual check-up with an avian vet, paying particular attention to digestion, plumage and vitamin intake.
Warning signs
- !Involuntary toe movement (toe-tapping) or wing-flipping
- !Feather plucking or self-mutilation (common in the species)
- !Ruffled plumage and lethargy
- !Altered droppings
- !Loss of appetite
Loro Eclectus gallery
Frequently asked questions about the Loro Eclectus
- How long does a Loro Eclectus live? ▾
- The life expectancy of the Loro Eclectus is 30-50 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
- How much does a Loro Eclectus weigh? ▾
- An adult Loro Eclectus weighs between 350-500g, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.
- Where does the Loro Eclectus breed come from? ▾
- The Loro Eclectus originates from Oceanía. An Oceanian parrot with extreme sexual dimorphism (green male, red-blue female); it requires a special diet high in fibre and low in synthetic supplements.
- How much exercise does a Loro Eclectus need? ▾
- The Loro Eclectus has media energy. **Cage:** at least twice the size of the bird with its wings spread. A dedicated room is better.
- Is the Loro Eclectus good with children? ▾
- **Children:** depends on species + individual temperament. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except territorial species). **Larger pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.
- Who is the Loro Eclectus NOT recommended for? ▾
- It isn't the right breed for: Households with no time to socialise. Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise). Homes with no space for flight. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
- What health problems does the Loro Eclectus have? ▾
- Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 30-50 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, consider that you will share your whole adult life with it.
- Why are the male and female so different? ▾
- The Eclectus has the most extreme sexual dimorphism among parrots: the male is green and the female red and purple. They were once thought to be different species.
- Why is its diet so demanding? ▾
- Its digestive tract is long and processes a lot of fibre; it needs above all fresh fruit and vegetables. An excess of synthetic vitamins or colourings causes disorders such as toe-tapping.
- Is it prone to feather plucking? ▾
- Yes, it is one of the species most sensitive to feather plucking due to stress, boredom or an inadequate diet. A stable routine, the correct diet and enrichment are key.
- Is it noisy? ▾
- A moderate voice, with the occasional scream and vocalisations; it is usually calmer than a macaw or an amazon.
- Is it a good parrot to start with? ▾
- It is not the most suitable for beginners because of its specific diet and sensitivity. Better for keepers with some experience.
Learn more about birds
Practical veterinary guides to support your Loro Eclectus.
Sources and references
Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.
- WikipediaEclectus roratus ↗
- World Parrot TrustEclectus Parrot - Parrot Encyclopedia ↗
Want to adopt a loro eclectus?
There are loro eclectuss in rescue shelters looking for a family. Filter by breed in the catalogue.
