The History of the Eclectus Part I

There are several versions of the pre-history of the Eclectus parrot, some scientific, some theory, and some fantasy. Those who know me will understand that I appreciate the fantasy versions most.

History Lesson #1

It is often speculated that both sexes of the Eclectus parrot were once only one color, and that color was RED. One would be inclined to think that the bright color red would be an easier target for predators. But the opposite is true What happens is that any red coloration under the canopy of trees in the wild will turn black visually. Thus a brilliantly- colored bird will be well camouflaged under the shadow of a tree full of branches and leaves. The broken shadows of disrupted light coming through the leaves will make the red parrot become inconspicuous. or completely disappear. There is one predator flaw with parrots. Parrots are a species that nest within the hollows of trees and the female of the species is the most vulnerable to predation. They can be cornered in the hole by a python or captured by a mammal or bird-of-prey when she enters and leaves the nest cavity entrance.

Female Eclectus that are under the canopy in the wild are not orange poppies within a open field of green stems and leaves. Their red coloration is cryptic as they become like dark shadows. However the opposite is true for the male Eclectus parrot. When his wife is on the nest of eggs or babies, he must take on the duties of feeding three (often four) family members. His wife, one or two chicks, and himself. Thus he cannot continually stay under cover of the canopy to gather food. He has to expend much energy and often fly considerable distances to obtain food sources for the family. He will be quite visual to all predators, whether they be mammal, reptilian or carnivorous bird.

The Eclectus has a very short tail and broad wings. They are heavy-bodied and fly straight with strong wing beats. They cannot turn quickly in the air as does the Cockatoo family of birds, and a brightly colored, straight-flying bird that is above the canopy is an easy catch for a medium to large hawk or other bird-of-prey.

Even though it is proven that captive Eclectus parrots produce an approximate equal number of birds of the opposite sex, it is said from field observations of this species in the wild, that there is an apparent disparity in numbers between the sexes, with the male birds far outnumbering the females. (This was true with my own observations in New Guinea with 27 cock Eclectus vs. only one hen sighted.). It may be due to the hens spending so much time in their nest cavities." What I haven't mentioned is that I was in the highlands of New Guinea (MT. Hagen) in July and this just the very beginning of the Eclectus nesting season. In the lowlands (Port Moresby and the Sepik river) the Eclectus breeding season is extended much earlier.

Thus the theory that both sexes of the Eclectus parrot were red, and that positive selection began to reduce the male population. Through natural selection, adaptation, or evolution, the red males slowly turned green in color. They kept the red color inside their wings, as from below this turns black in coloration during their flying escapades, and they need this coloration for courting their wives.

By turning green, the males can then forage out in the open, on top or on the outside branches of the trees and they will match the coloration of the leaves. This is when they are in the open sun, whereas if they were red, they would indeed be that bright red poppy that could be an easy dinner for a hawk.

Obviously, the female Eclectus kept its cryptic red coloration that is camouflaged with violet or purple-blue markings.