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Hi all! I have recently acquired my first Eclectus (male - 3.5 years old) who has so quickly become an integral part of our family I am astonished. I've had CAGs, canaries, finches and parrotlets in the past, but never an Eclectus. Now I wonder how I ever managed without him!

He came to me eating just a few Nutriberries and a dried fruit and veggie mix from parrotplace.com (in LA). In the last three weeks he has learned to taste and sometimes enjoy bits of corn, carrot, cooked rice/pea or bean mix, and an occasional bit of well cooked chicken, pasta, fish, etc. He certainly hasn't ever missed a meal in his life as his breasts are quite full but I can still feel the sturnam.

Is this diet optimum for an Ecelctus? If not, what changes would anyone suggest (particularly given that he is slightly overweight). He is very, very tame and friendly; would it be a good idea to let his flight feathers grow so that he can exercise by flying or would that be a big no-no?

Thanks to all of you with suggestions - Kiwi is a terrific "ambassador" for the species and I want to keep him in tip-top condition!

Dana

Hi Dana and congrats on your clec! They have a way of fast creeping into your life don't they? How much does Kiwi weigh and is he a Solomon Island or a Red Sided (these are most popular and available)?
I personally would not give him pasta, much corn or anything enriched. Eclectus do better with a little more fruit in their diets than some species but I would stay with a bean/rice mixture with a little less rice. They need fresh veggies, fruit, legumes, grains and fresh sprouts. They can also benefit from kale, collard or mustard greens and it's fun to weave these big leaves through their cage bars for interest. I would stay away from dry seeds, Nutriberries and/or cooked mixes like Crazy Corn or most Beak Appetit dinners.
Fish can be mild white fish, no shelled fish, and they like an occasional chicken bone. Really!
How is your home arrangement regarding flying? Does Kiwi know about 'hard air'? (glass) If his flights are trimmed now, I would leave them that way until you can see what his flight ability is. It certainly benefits them to get sunshine and fresh air and they usually enjoy bathing or showering to keep their skin moisturized and feathers looking good.
I would slowly start modifying his diet and I'll privately send you an article I wrote regarding eclectus diet.
I would suggest joining the feedingfeathers@yahoogroups.com list as well.
They have wonderful files and experienced help with anything you'll need to get Kiwi into prime shape!
Andrea

Please send me your personal email addy and I'll send you my eclectus article. I forgot I can't attach things here at UpAtSix.

Andrea

Dana

Hi I am owned by 4 Eclectus along with a bunch of other birds.Kiwi definately needs a little more variety in his diet.I try and offer organic fruits and vegetables if I can get them.I do feed corn but only sometimes.
Their diet consists of a variety of fruits and vegetables cut into bite size pieces.Sweet potatoes,bananas,berries not strawberries unless they are organic because the other ones are loaded with pesticides.Lots of different
kinds of melons and squash seeds and all.Apples.pineapples,kiwi,star fruit
and variety of green vegetable,collard greens,bok choy,mustard greens,
and the healthier lettuce(not iceberg).A variety of nuts unshelled I prefer(no peanuts in the shell they harbor bacteria)A couple times a month I offer them some eggs shell and all cooked of course.

If Kiwi is on the heavy side.What did your Avian Vet say about him?

Congrats with taking in Kiwi