SCIENTIFIC NAME: Eclectus roratus

The Eclectus parrot is also called a “temple parrot” because it has been the object of worship in native religious rites. Other names include: Kalanga, Grand Eclectus, Parrot, King Parrot, and Red-sided Eclectus Parrot.
The eclectus is stocky, short-tailed and broad-winged. For quite some time ornithologists thought the males and females were two separate species because they are so different in appearance. The male’s color is primarily green, and the female’s color is bright red.

It nests in a hole of a tree where two eggs are laid on a bed of wood-dust. During incubation the female broods alone, leaving the nest twice a day to be fed by the male. She is also fed when the chicks first hatch, then later feeds herself.

The nestlings leave the nest after about four weeks and become independent at 6 to 8 weeks.

It has been recorded up to eight birds attending one nest. It is not clear whether these are nest-helpers, young from a previous brood still attached to the family group, or additional laying females.