We need an abbreviation that means the opposite of LBB/J (Little Brown Bird/Job), maybe BCB – many Australian parrots would rate as Big Colourful Birds and the Eclectus Parrot is one of the biggest and brightest – but unlike LBBs they are not difficult to identify.
Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) – male
Canon 5DS R, 1/500, f/5.6, ISO 1600, focal length 278mm
Male and female Eclectus Parrots have markedly different colouring, early ornithologists originally believed they were separate species.
Males are predominantly emerald green but the more you look the more you see including beautiful blues and rich scarlets, glimpses of which can be seen in the image above. Their lower bills are black while their upper bills remind me of sunsets as the golden colouring transitions from clear yellow to deep orange. Their eyes are striking too, and have a soft blue-grey eye ring.
Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) – female
Canon 7D, 1/320, f/5.0, ISO 2500, focal length 180mm
I checked my images, which was quick as I use Lightroom keywords, and found this older image of a female Eclectus Parrot, also a captive bird. Females are predominantly red and blue, their upper bills are black rather than orange and their eye rings are more pronounced. With such marked sexual dimorphism it’s easy to see why they were initially considered different species.
Eclectus Parrots are about 45cm in height and weigh over half a kilogram. In Australia they are found in a small area of the Cape York peninsula in northern Queensland, they are also found on islands from the Moluccas to the Solomons.
Happy birding, Kim
~ Thank you for visiting and commenting
~ If you would like to join subscribers who receive a weekly email letting them know that lirralirra has been updated please use the ‘subscribe’ box above right
I actually had a rescued pair of eclectus for a while at my place. I loved those two and was sad when I lost them.
It seems so strange that wild Aussie birds end up in cages across the world. I’m glad that the birds you mention were rescued by you as someone who cared about their well being.
Do tell us about the Canon 5D SR (as a 5D MkIII owner I would be very interested)? Better?
I am very fond of my 5D3 but like the extra pixels of the 5DSR, though I have had issues with moire on a couple of occasions.
Hi Kim,
What a wonderful bird on te fist picture and the red female is marvelous !!!
Well done Kim.
Thank you Alain, I’m glad you like these BCBs
Glorious things. Thank you – I am unlikely to ever see them ‘at home’ so to speak.
Like so many of our birds (including the lbjs) I lump them under the heading of feathered enchantment.
How are you (and your daughter) feeling?
Feathered enchantment is a beautifully descriptive comment, I wonder if it’d work well in a haiku. My daughter and I have had numerous appointments between us this week and things are looking better for both of us … thank you for caring. I hope all’s well with you and yours.