Your Eclectus parrot may be able to talk, but he most likely won’t be able to indicate whether or not he feels well. Therefore, you need to know the signs of a healthy bird, so that you can recognize the signs of a bird that isn’t feeling well. 

A healthy Eclectus parrot is active, sociable, and alert. If your Eclectus parrot does not appear to be able to focus, or his eyes appear half closed, he probably isn’t feeling well. If he becomes aggressive to touch, he may be in pain. If he seems listless, this also indicates a problem, and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

A healthy Eclectus parrot has a dry nose and big bright eyes. If your parrot develops a moist or runny nose, he probably needs the care of a veterinarian. His eyes should be big and bright, but not watery or runny.

A healthy Eclectus parrot eats and drinks well. Pay attention to your Eclectus parrot. He should have a very healthy appetite. It is wise to remember that an Eclectus parrot is prone to becoming overweight, simply because he enjoys eating. Therefore, if he isn’t eating, there is a problem.

A healthy Eclectus parrot has a clean and dry vent. The vent is located under the tail feathers. This area should be both clean and dry, and if it isn’t, this may be an indication of diarrhea, or another serious problem, and you need to consult a veterinarian.

A healthy Eclectus parrot grooms himself, and has smooth feathers. Overall, your parrot should have a smooth appearance. Grooming is very important to these birds, and if your Eclectus parrot appears to be disheveled, this is an indication of a problem. You may also notice that he is feather plucking, meaning that he is pulling his own feathers out. Even if the parrot is grooming himself, his feathers may not have a healthy look to them, and again, you should consult with a veterinarian.

A healthy Eclectus parrot has legs, feet, and a beak that are in good physical shape. You should check daily for dry and cracked feet, legs, and beaks. Also, make sure that you clip your bird’s nails regularly, as this makes life much easier for him and for you.

You should note that most health problems that an Eclectus parrot develops stems from a diet that isn’t sufficient. Often, a change in the diet to include all of the nutrients and minerals that the bird needs is all that is needed to correct the health problem.

This does not mean, however, that you shouldn’t take your Eclectus parrot to the veterinarian, for a proper diagnosis. If you fail to do this, you could be cutting the life of your beloved feathered friend short. Again, know what the signs of a healthy bird are, so that you can easily and quickly notice if there is a potential health problem.

If you are planning to adopt an Eclectus parrot, you need to have an avian veterinarian lined up before you do so. An avian veterinarian is a veterinarian trained and experienced at caring for birds. Some avian vets specialize in certain birds, and others will care for all breeds.

Unfortunately, a veterinarian can refer to himself as an avian veterinarian, but that doesn’t mean that he is a certified avian veterinarian. Certification can only be obtained through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Just four years ago, in 2004, there were only 102 certified avian veterinarians around the world. Certification requires six years of a large amount of avian practice, as well as a series of examinations.

This doesn’t mean that a non-certified veterinarian cannot care for your Eclectus parrot. You should, however, seek out a veterinarian who is in the process of becoming certified, if at all possible. Since there are so few veterinarians worldwide who have accomplished certification, instead, you should seek out a veterinarian who is a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. This organization has more than 3000 members worldwide, and these are veterinarians who are working towards certification. You can contact the AAV to get a listing of the members in your area. You can also ask your breeder for recommendations.

Once you have a list of veterinarians to choose from, you should set up a consultation appointment with each one. Most will charge you their regular office visit rate for this visit, but finding the right veterinarian makes the cost well worth the expense. You should ask these veterinarians the following questions:

How much experience do you have with Eclectus parrots?
How much avian experience do you have overall?
Do you have any birds as pets yourself?
How much do your services cost?
What are your regular hours? Do you have after hour emergency care?
How often do you recommend that I bring my bird in for a check up?
Are you a member of the AAV? Where did you receive your training?
Do you make house calls?

With the answers to these questions from each veterinarian that you contact, you should easily be able to make a choice. Write the questions down for each veterinarian, and write down his or her answers so that you can compare them later.

Just because one veterinarian stood out among the others in the initial consultation, you need to pay close attention during the first visit your Eclectus parrot has with the chosen vet. Do you approve of the way that he handles the bird? Does he show genuine interest and concern? Is he rushed? Are the atmosphere and/or the veterinarian causing the bird stress? The chances are that if you liked the veterinarian during the initial consultation, he will do fine with your new bird – just make sure that you have a veterinarian lined up for your birds care.

Just as you must know the signs of a healthy Eclectus parrot, you must also know what to look for that may signify illness. You also need to know when a situation warrants care from a trained veterinarian. Here are some common signs of illness in Eclectus parrots.

Diarrhea –

If your Eclectus parrot is suffering from diarrhea, there could be numerous causes. The first thing to do is to stop all fruits. The second thing to do is to ensure that your bird is getting enough water, so that he doesn’t become dehydrated. Next, figure out the cause. It could be as simple as a recent change in his diet, or as serious as a parasite problem. You should consult your veterinarian.

Feather Plucking –

Feather plucking means that the bird is literally plucking his own feathers out of his body. This is most often caused by boredom, but could also be caused by a problem with his diet, or an actual illness. This is often remedied by paying more attention to the bird, providing him with new toys, giving him more room to move around, and things of this nature. If the behavior doesn’t stop, consult a veterinarian.

Polyoma Virus –

The Polyoma Virus is deadly for Eclectus parrots. It is wise to have your bird vaccinated as early as possible against this fatal disease. Signs of Polyoma Virus include loss of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy; however one of the worst signs is sudden death. This means that your bird could die from this dreadful disease before he shows any other symptoms.

Psittacine Beak and Feather –

This can be a serious disease if it is not treated as soon as possible. Symptoms of PBF include strange feather colors, loss of feathers, and deformities of the beak. See your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Other serious signs of illness

Indications of parrot sickness include sitting on the floor of the aviary, plucked feathers, soiled feathers, feathers in disarray, swollen beak, coughing, wheezing, runny stools, discolored stool, hobbling on one foot, discharge from the eyes, runny nose, red eyes, swollen eyes, and lack of appetite.

When in doubt, go to the veterinarian.

Don’t take chances with your precious Eclectus parrots life. Some illness can literally take your birds life in the amount of time it takes you to decide to make an appointment with your veterinarian. When things don’t look right, immediately make that appointment. Let the veterinarian know what is going on, so he can determine whether the bird should be brought right into the office or if it can wait.

Health Issue
Symptoms or Causes
Suggested Action

If you love your new Eclectus parrot, you will definitely want to clip his wings. Ideally, his wings will be clipped by the breeder, before he goes home with you, but only after he has been flying daily for at least a month. Without learning how to fly well, his development will be hindered.

With that said, make sure that the breeder clips his wings before he goes home with you. If possible, ask to be present when this is done, so you can see it done. Don’t assume, however, that this is something that you will do yourself the first several times it needs it. Instead, make sure you are present when it is done each time, and that the person doing it is instructing you as to how it should be done.

Finally, before you take on the task of wing clipping solo, do it with someone who is experienced with wing clipping standing next to you, just to be sure that you do now in fact know what you are doing, and you aren’t going to make any mistakes. Note that if your bird’s wings are not clipped, he will be able to get to those hard for you to reach places in your home, and you also have the potential for losing your bird, in the event that he manages to get outside.

An Eclectus parrot needs his wings clipped about once every six months. New feathers will continue to grow, and those feathers will reach the point where he is able to fly high again. It is vital that you never clip just one wing. This puts the bird off balance. It is also vital that you not cut the wings too short, or in the wrong shape, as this also affects his balance. When a bird is unbalanced, this typically ends with injury to the bird, when he tries to fly.

In terms of flight feathers, your Eclectus parrot has a primary set of flight feathers and a secondary set of flight feathers. Regardless of trimming, your bird will be able to fly – he just won’t be able to go very high or very far before he needs to land. If those primary feathers are cut too short, he won’t be able to control his landing, and he will hit the floor hard. Therefore, those primaries must be cut short enough to keep him from going to high, but not so short that he can’t control his landing. At the same time, you don’t want to leave too much feather either. Again, this enables him to fly higher, for longer distances.

You may think that you don’t need to clip your Eclectus parrots wings, because he will never be in danger of getting out of the house. What you may not realize, however, is that there are many dangers inside your home for an unclipped bird. He can fly into ceiling fans, open toilets, uncovered pots, windows, and mirrors.

A regular pet groomer generally is not qualified to clip wings. If you can’t do it yourself, ask your breeder to recommend someone. If nothing else, ask the breeder if you can pay them to do it for you when it needs to be done. If you do learn how to clip your Eclectus parrots wings yourself, make sure that you have the proper tools for the job. You need sharp scissors with blunt ends, and these scissors should never be used for any other task.

About every six months, you will need to clip your Eclectus parrots nails. This is important for your health and his, and for the health of your furnishings. Those nails can get very sharp – and very dangerous.

This really is something that you can do yourself. Just make sure that you are prepared with the right tools. You need Kwik Stop, in case the nail bleeds. You also need a good thick towel, and a good pair of cat nail clippers. Do not attempt to clip your bird’s nails without having Kwik Stop, or some other styptic powder. Even just cutting into the quick of the nail, and causing that nail to bleed, can easily and quickly lead to your Eclectus parrot bleeding to death.

You will be nervous the first few time that you do this, and your Eclectus parrot will pick up on that. You are about to find a good use for that thick towel. You need to wrap the bird in the towel in a way that leave his head exposed, but his wings held against his body. Also make sure that there is enough material to prevent him from biting your hand as you clip his nails.

It is important that you understand that just as you don’t feel pain when your nails are clipped, this task doesn’t hurt your Eclectus parrot either – unless you cut too far, and hit the quick. If you’ve ever cut your nail too short, you know how painful this can be. You want to make sure that the bird cannot move as you clip. Understand that he is nervous and that he doesn’t like this – but know that you aren’t hurting him. This should help you relax a bit.

The only part of the nail that you need to clip is the sharp point on the end. Again, you don’t want to cause your bird pain by cutting down into the quick, and this is easily avoided by just cutting off the sharp tip of the nail.

While you are clipping your Eclectus parrots nails, make sure that you are talking calmly to him. He knows the sound of your voice well, and this will comfort and calm him, making your job easier.

Make sure that you work as fast as you can, while being safe. Don’t get in such a hurry that you hurt the bird. If you are a bit slow in the beginning, don’t worry. As time moves on, and you become more experienced at nail clipping, you will be able to do it very quickly, causing the Eclectus parrot less stress and anxiety. Get those nails clipped, and let him go.

Once you are finished clipping your Eclectus parrots nails, you can expect him to pout a bit. He may not want much to do with you for a while. Give him time to sooth his ruffled feathers and it won’t be long before he is perched on your shoulder once again – with nicely trimmed nails.

Many people don’t understand the housing needs of the Eclectus parrot, and this usually ends badly – either with unhappy humans, or an unhappy bird. Avoid this problem by ensuring that you have the proper amount of space needed for your Eclectus parrot, as well as the proper housing.

Note that it is unhealthy for the Eclectus parrot to live solely in a cage. He will need to be let out daily, so that he can move about the house and stretch his wings. You should provide a variety of safe perches in your home for the bird, and also make sure that you have parrot proofed your home.

While being free to roam about the house is important, having a cage is also important for your Eclectus parrots safety. He should be in his cage during his bedtime hours and at any time that you are unable to supervise him in your home.

Now, you may have one of those cute, old-fashioned type cages in mind for your Eclectus parrot, but that simply will not do. It isn’t nearly big enough. What you need, instead, is a large cage that stands on the floor, and stands between 60 and 70 inches high. The base of the cage needs to be at least 24 inches by 36 inches.

Experts agree that you should purchase the largest cage that you can afford, as long as it meets these minimum size requirements. In other words, if you can afford an aviary that is larger that 60 x 24 x 36 inches, you should buy the larger one.

The bars on the cage should be placed one inch apart, with each bar measuring 5mm in diameter. This is very important, because it plays a part in the play and exercise of your bird. They will climb the bars, and must be able to grip the bars with their feet.

You should also consider an aviary that has two sections. One section is used for living quarters, and this is where the Eclectus parrots toys, food dishes, and perches are located. The second section is clear, but may have perches placed low in the cage, in the corners. The second section is often referred to as the flight cage, and should be large enough for the bird to spread his wings and fly a bit.

The cage that you choose should have a grate and removable pan. Waste will fall down below the grate, to the pan, keeping it away from the parrots for better hygiene, and therefore better health. Food dishes in the cage should be placed above perches, and not below them to avoid waste falling into the food. Finally, finish your cage with well placed toys and perches designed to keep your Eclectus parrot active and amused.

At some point in the young Eclectus parrots life, he must be weaned. In most cases, this means that he has to be weaned from hand feeding, although in some cases, he must be weaned from his mother.

Some Eclectus parrots wean sooner than others and it is normal for one of these youngsters to lose a little weight during weaning. The key to success is ensuring that he doesn’t lose too much weight. It should also be noted that just as different Eclectus parrot breeds are ready to wean at different ages, some are more difficult to wean than their counterparts.

Weaning usually begins around three months of age, and in most cases, if you are getting your Eclectus parrot from an experienced breeder, he will be weaned before he is given into your care. In fact, if you are not experienced at weaning such a bird, you are advised to leave him with the breeder until he is indeed weaned. However, in some instances inexperienced owners are forced to wean their new Eclectus parrot.

First and foremost, you should not force-wean an Eclectus parrot. This can cause serious behavioral problems later in life. Experts agree that you should only start weaning the Eclectus parrot when he has signaled that he is ready to be weaned – in his own sweet time. This is done by providing him nutritious soft foods in his cage that he can easily reach, and easily eat by himself. It is vital that you pay attention to how much food he has consumed, so that you know whether he needs additional hand feeding from you.

Pay close attention to the food bowl. Weigh the food bowl after you fill it, before you place it in the cage. When you remove the food bowl, weigh it again on a kitchen scale to determine whether the food was actually ingested, or just moved around and mashed up. Determine how much food was actually ingested, and then feed the young bird formula to ensure that he is getting the right amount of nutrition each day.

Weigh the bird as well. This can also typically be done on a kitchen scale. If he is losing weight, don’t panic. Do, however, keep an eye on how much weight he is losing. Weigh him daily and record his weight. If he seems to be losing too much weight, contact your veterinarian to double check the amount of nutrition he needs when he is being weaned, and make sure that he is getting that amount.

Again, it is best for the bird to be weaned before he ever leaves the breeder. It has been found that these birds are usually healthier, because breeders don’t have to ‘guess’ how much additional nutrition the Eclectus parrot needs. Furthermore, when a young bird is weaned in what he considers his natural habitat – that place where he was born – he is usually better adjusted and happier.

Among all species of birds that are suitable as pets, the Eclectus parrot seems to be one that enjoys the greatest health. These are very robust birds, and a well-cared for Eclectus parrot can go through his entire life without ever becoming ill. This does not mean, however, that these birds are not subject to certain health concerns that you should be aware of.

The Polyoma Virus is probably the most serious health concern that Eclectus parrots are at risk for. There is a vaccination to protect your parrot against this deadly disease, and you should discuss this with your veterinarian. This particular disease is so fatal that the first symptom of it may be sudden death. In the event that your parrot does show other symptoms, before death, those symptoms include lack of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. In all cases, once an Eclectus parrot has contracted Polyoma Virus, he will die.

Feather plucking is another ailment that an Eclectus parrot may face, however this ailment isn’t so much physical, as it is psychological. You see, when an Eclectus parrot is bored, he will act out by plucking out his own feathers. This ailment is usually easily cured by giving the bird more attention, more toys, and more room.

Sometimes, foods simply don’t agree with the Eclectus parrots digestive system, which is quite unique. This may result in diarrhea. If you notice that your parrot has diarrhea, you should immediately stop giving him fruit, until he is better. Make sure that he is, however, getting plenty of water. If the diarrhea lasts for more than a day, contact your veterinarian to make sure that he doesn’t have a parasite.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Virus is also a serious problem. PBFD is contagious – and fatal. It presents itself in the beak and the feathers on the outside, but also affects the immune system on the inside. This dreadful disease most commonly affects younger birds, however – under the age of two. This is a DNA virus, and it is transmitted through the air, from droppings and feather dust. It is then simply inhaled by other birds. Symptoms include depression, diarrhea, regurgitation, loss of appetite, weight loss, abnormal feathers, abnormal growth, oral lesions, infections, and of course death.

As you can see, even though these are the healthiest pet birds one can have, the Eclectus parrot is subject to very serious health concerns. It is important to understand the signs and symptoms of these problems, so that you can seek veterinary care as soon as an illness makes itself present. A couple of these problems are, of course, fatal, but in the end, you can keep other birds in your home from contracting these diseases if you catch them early.

By Joseph Devine

Most of us probably remember Tweety Bird growing up. With his disproportionately large head and equally small wings, he entertained with his many episodes, involving highly dangerous and complex interactions with Slyvester the cat. “I taut I taw a puddy tat!” is most likely a much quoted reference to his dazzling moments.

In light of his charismatic qualities, it may be a worthwhile endeavor to examine his nature from reality’s perspective: the fact that he’s a bird and what that means bird owners around the world. For bird owners, Tweety has a special place in our hearts. He reminds of out the care it takes to make sure that your bird is healthy and happy for the duration of its life.

For those who are unfamiliar with proper bird care and are thinking about purchasing one, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

· The Cage – When buying a cage, make sure that the cage is large enough to provide adequate exercise for your bird. The largest dimensions should be with respect to length and width, height. How big or how small the cage should be is a function of how much time the bird spends in its cage. The more time it spends in there, the bigger the cage should be and vice versa. The cage should be fitted with perches of varying sizes so that your bird can properly exercise its feet.

· Food – Fresh seed mix should make up no more than 20 % of its food source. Seeds are high in both protein and fat, so anything more than 1/5 the energy intake would be unhealthy for the bird. Vegetables and fruit should make up the other 80%. Don’t over feed your animal. This will put unnecessary stress on the birds bone structure.

· Keep your bird away from common household dangers. These include cats and dogs, plants, paint, ceiling fans, vacuum cleaners and open toilet bowls. Birds often unknowing find themselves in compromising situations when confronted with these household objects.

It is important to also take your bird to get regular check ups at the local veterinarian clinic. Trained specialist can often detect serious illness before they arrive, saving you psychological, physical, and financial headaches in the future.

For more information on ways you can properly take care of your bird consult this website: SanFranciscoVeterinarianClinics.com or your local veterinarian.

Joseph Devine

Article Source: Joseph Devine

By Angela Dean

When most people hear “parrot”, they cringe and think of days down the road when they’ll be needing hearing aids. That cute parrot can quickly turn into your worst nightmare. And while parrots can be loud screamers, most owners do not realize that they are usually the reason for the screaming. No bird will ever be truly quiet; however with a little work from you your bird could become a soft talking feathered friend. Here are a few tips to help you achieve that quiet dream bird.

Spend Time with Your Bird

Birds will scream if they’re lonely. They call for their flock mates. If you and your family are in the living room watching TV and your bird is in the room down the hall, more than likely you have a very loud screamer. Try moving your bird’s cage to a place where the entire family can get together.

Buy a Bigger Cage

If you and your family are out of the house for most of the day, more than likely your bird is stuck in its cage. Try getting a larger quality cage that will last, it may cost a bit more but it’s worth it in the long run. More space allows for more exercise and more toys to help cure some boredom.

Build a Play Area

A play area is a wonderful way to cure screaming. This can consist of a simple stand with food/water cups to a large tree with toys. Your bird will enjoy getting to spend time out of its cage.

Don’t Yell At Your Bird

When a bird is screaming to get its owners attention, most of the time the reaction is to yell “SHUT UP!” or “BE QUIET!” at the bird. To your bird this sounds a lot like you’re joining in on the scream fest! This can create even louder screaming! Try whispering instead, if a bird is screaming and you whisper then it has to lower its voice to hear you talk.

Don’t Reward Your Bird for Being Loud

Another common mistake owners are guilty of is stuffing a nut or piece of fruit in your bird’s mouth when it’s screaming. A treat stops the screaming, but guess what? You just rewarded your bird for screaming. Your bird will soon learn to scream every time it wants something. Like a spoiled child they want it and they want it NOW!

Try Taking Your Bird with You

Providing your bird has its wings clipped or will wear a bird harness, try taking your bird with on family outings. If you’re going to the park take your bird with you! An acrylic bird carrier is an affordable investment and you will enjoy a quieter and happier bird.

And the most important tip -

Don’t own a bird if you’re never home, it’s not fair to the bird. Parrots can have the mental capacity of a 3 or 4 year old and do get bored, frustrated and angry sitting in a cage all day. This is the main cause of screaming and biting.

Angela has been working with birds for over 15 years. Along the way she has learned much about the feathered kind and strives to help those with troubled parrots.

More tips and supplies can be found at her website – www.birdsandart.com

Article Source: Angela Dean