Size: Length; 35cm. Wingspan; 230cm. Weight; 500-600g.

Habitat and Distribution: Occurs in a broad range of habitats including forest, savannah, mangroves and coconut plantations in Indonesia, NE Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Age: 28 years in captivity.

Groups and Breeding: This parrot is found singly, pairs or in small groups often comprised of solely male birds. They breed at any time during the year after which 2 eggs are laid in a nest built in cavities of trees. The young hatch after 26 days of incubation by the female only and take 12 weeks to fledge. During this time, up to 8 birds may attend the nest, although its not known whether these are nest helpers, part of the family group or additional laying females.

Diet: Fruit, seeds, blossoms, buds, nuts and nectar.

• The name Eclectus comes from the fact that the sexes are so markedly different; the males are bright green and females are bright red. Originally for many years they were thought to be different species!
• Avocado is poisonous to parrots.
• Eclectus parrots have an unusually long digestive tract.
• It is thought that up to 80 birds may gather to roost in a tree at night.
• There are nine recognised sub-species.