Eclectus parrot
Common name: Eclectus parrot
Scientific name: Eclectus roratus macgillivrayi (Gk. eklektikos = select, pick out, L. rorare = bedewed, macgillivrayi = after the ornithologist who discovered the species in Queensland)
Animal group: Psittacidae (parrots)
Conservation status: This species is listed as vulnerable in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and is ranked as a low priority under the Department of Environment and Resource Management 'Back on Track' species prioritisation framework.
Description
Eclectus roratus macgillivrayi is the largest of twelve subspecies of eclectus parrot, with males measuring 420-480mm and females 400-450mm. The parrot weighs approximately 615g. Females have a wing span of 890mm and males have a slightly longer wing span at 900mm.
Plumage between the sexes is markedly different, even in juveniles. Males are predominantly emerald green, with scarlet red on the sides of the abdomen extending across the underwing, and dusky feathers on the remainder of the underwing. The upper wing is emerald green with blue outer feathers. The tail is emerald green on the upper side, fading to light blue with a white tip, and on the underside the tail is grey-black with a yellow tip. The lower beak is black, and the upper beak is orange fading to yellow at the tip. The eye is orange-red in colour with a grey eye-ring. Females have a scarlet-red head and neck, with a darker red tail and back. The upper side of the wings are dark red on the inside half and blue on the outer half. Under the wing is dusky with a vivid purple-blue band that continues under the body and around the back of the neck. A purple-blue ring surrounds the yellow eye, and the upper and lower beak is black. Both sexes have a short, square tail.
Habitat and distribution
Eclectus roratus macgillivrayi is endemic to Queensland (only lives in Queensland) and is the only subspecies on mainland Australia, with one other subspecies, E. r. polychloros, found in the Torres Strait islands. All other subspecies are located in Indonesia, New Guinea, and several Pacific islands. The eclectus parrot is found in one region in Queensland, the Iron and McIlwraith ranges of eastern Cape York Peninsula. They mainly inhabit the interior and edges of lowland rainforest; however they can also be found in the higher rainforest regions.
Life history and behaviour
The eclectus parrots usually perch and feed high in the canopy. During the day, they can be seen singly and in pairs or small groups, but will often congregate in large numbers (up to 80) at a fruiting tree or when roosting in the evenings. The loud screeching call of the eclectus parrot makes them conspicuous in the rainforest.
Their diet consists of fruit, nuts, seeds, flowers and nectar, obtained from the tree canopy.
The eclectus parrot's breeding season is from July to February. They can have more than one brood, particularly when there is a loss of eggs or nestlings. Nests are in wood chip-lined hollows of emergent trees in the rainforest. Females will mate with several males, and have a clutch of two eggs. The female does all of the incubating while one or more males feed her and the nestlings. Several fully-grown offspring from earlier breeding seasons are also believed to help care for the nestlings. This co-operative breeding behaviour is extremely unusual for parrot species.
Threatening processes
The lowland rainforest in eastern Cape York Peninsula is more like the lowland rainforest in Papua New Guinea than other rainforest in Australia. The uniqueness and limited area of this habitat type mean that ongoing habitat degradation is a serious threat to the eclectus parrot.
The parrot's bright colours and conspicuous nature have made it a target for illegal trapping and nest-robbing.
Recovery actions
The Action plan for Australian birds 2000 has identified the need for further research into the eclectus parrot to fully understand its breeding requirements and behavioural ecology of the species. The action plan recommended regular surveys to ensure early detection of any decline in numbers.
Related information
Forshaw, J.M. (2003) Australian Parrots. Third edition. Lansdowne Press, Melbourne.
Garnett, S.T. & Crowley, G.M. (2000) The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Higgins, P.J. (1999) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 4. Parrots to Dollarbird. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Last updated 7 March 2011