Breed profile

Loro Eclectus

Extreme sexual dimorphism: green male, red-purple female. Calm temperament. Very specific diet (fresh fruit/vegetables).

Origin: Oceanía Size: Grande Lifespan: 30-50 años Energy

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).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Grooming needs

Vocalisation / noise

Ease of handling

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 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.

🦜Psitacosis (clamidiosis aviar)

Common diseases in birds

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

☠️Intoxicación / envenenamiento 🦴Fractura ósea 🩸Hemorragia (sangrado importante)🦜Psitacosis (clamidiosis aviar)🦜Megabacteriosis aviar 🔥Quemaduras

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

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

Foto de la raza loro eclectus — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Loro Eclectus

How long does a Loro Eclectus live?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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**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?

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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?

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Why are the male and female so different?

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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?

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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?

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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.