upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

I just purchased a 3 year old female S. I. eclectus a few weeks ago from a very nice couple. The bird appears to be in good health, a bit round around the middle, but otherwide in good feather.

This past week I have noticed some orangish feathers apearing around the head of the bird, they all apear to be new feathers and all appear to be coming out at the same time.

The bird has a health apptitie and is going through pretty-bird pellet, seed, sweet patato, corn, spinish and what ever else daily. I am concerned that the diet might be causeing the feathers. When I got her, she was almost entirely on a seed based diet.

Any thoughts?

thanks

Jim

I don't have an Eclectus, but I've heard that some can have problems with the dyes in colored pellets, more so than other parrot species. Don't get me wrong. I am not against pellet diets. I keep Pretty Bird pellets in my Greys' and Cockatoos' cages at all times and feed fresh food once daily. You may want to try a pellet without dyes. I'm not sure if Pretty Bird makes one or not. One of my Cockatoos eats Roudybush so I've also added that to the others' pellets with good results.

Another Eclectus owner mentioned a while back supplementing his Eclectus' diet with Lory nectar/powder.

Personally, I don't think the diet you are feeding is what is causing the orange feathers. It sounds like you have improved it's diet. It certainly wouldn't hurt to have the bird checked out by a vet, especially if you have other birds. Plus don't forget to quarantine the bird away from your other birds.

Yes you are right!

I feed all my Eclectus the Pretty Bird Eclectus pellets (all three breeding pairs- R.S.- S.I. and Grand) I even have a diet plan when weaning that brings them over from my hand feeding formula to the pellets. They do not contain the color additives (only natural colors from natural occurring ingredients) that make up the process. I work with Dr. Michael from Pretty Bird who is the chief Ornithologist at Pretty Bird (presently in Costa Rica at a wild bird feeding station)

The trouble with Eclectus and their unusual feathering is only when "Yellow Stripes" appear on their belly, between the legs. This is an indication of liver fatigue. What I think with Orange feathers is that you have a mixed Eclectus. You see Eclectus have seven species all together and many breeders don't take the time to weed out the different species prior to breeding. I've been breeding Eclectus for over 15 yrs and in the last 5 years when traveling to shows and expo's looking at the offerings there I've failed to find only a handful of what I consider "pure-bred" Eclectus.

There is nothing wrong with your bird. Eclectus feathers that show orange can be several different species of the Dominate. And yes I do augment all my birds with a Lori-Nectar in addition to their water bottle to boost the fruit intake of the species and found that to be very healthy for my birds. They are really nothing but a big Lori anyway, as noted in the wild.

Here are some very good reads, especially the new 10 study I think you will find fascinating, this is not the whole report, for that you'll have to find the issue and buy it. But it is worth the effort and will help with your understanding of the species. Especially the colors and patterns of the Eclectus.

http://www.birdchannel.com/search.aspx?q=Eclectus <-general Eclectus information
http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-magazines/bird-talk/2009-february/bird-talk-eclectus-colors.aspx<- special issue on a 10 yr study in the "islands" of the Eclectus (all) species

P.S.- my feeling is that you have a cross Vos-S.I. which is very common.