Post by ekkiemum on Dec 21, 2005 13:10:41 GMT 8
Eclectus weight ranges are less than meaningful because the ranges of the various subspecies overlap. It is more realistic to use a general weight range based on an average of the combined weights of all the available subspecies. Such a range was established by a well-known and respected avian veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Susan Clubb. She worked with hundreds of Eclectus pairs and babies of the commonly available subspecies during her years of research at the Avicultural Breeding and Research Center in Loxahatchee, Florida. Dr. Clubb averaged the weights of adults of the most commonly available Eclectus subspecies and published this range in the reference book, "Psittacine Aviculture". Keep in mind that it is a compilation of all the commonly available subspecies (Solomon Island, Grand, Red sided, and Vosmaeri):
MALES:
Average -- 430 grams
Range ---- 388 to 524 grams
FEMALES:
Average -- 452 grams
Range ---- 383 to 549 grams
Note that generally the eclectus female is a little chunkier and heavier, and the male is somewhat more streamlined and lighter weight. (She is designed to incubate eggs and brood chicks in the nest, while he flies long distances to gather food).
Eclectus babies reach their maximum weight at the age of seven weeks. At fledging, they lose approximately ten percent of their top weight at the age of seven weeks. They continue to grow until the age of two years and add a slight amount of weight between the age of two and three years.
Eclectus baby weight ranges that new owners might find helpful include both sexes and all commonly available subspecies:
7 weeks -- 318 to 477 maximum weight
12 weeks -- 312 to 422 grams
14 weeks -- 321 to 422 grams
I consider this a realistic general range of weights and one that does not cause new owners to worry about whether their birds are "heavy enough". Fat is especially detrimental to the health of creatures designed to be lean, streamlined flyers. Birds have hollow bones and sinuses to keep down their weight for more efficient flying. They are designed for the strenuous activities of flying and climbing. Fat does not belong on -- or in -- their bodies. In fact, excessive fat shortens their life span.
I encourage new owners to be more concerned about other indicators of health. If the bird is bright, alert, inquisitive about its surroundings, active, has a good appetite and shiny eyes and lustrous feathers, more than likely they are exactly the right weight for their individual body.
One can feel on either side of the keel bone (breast bone in the middle of the breast area) and if there is spongy tissue there, the weight is not likely to be too low for the size of the bird. If you feel only bone instead of spongy tissue on the breast beside the keel bone, your Eclectus might be underweight and the diet should be discussed with your breeder and/or vet. Remember that young, growing birds DO need calories from healthful foods.
Some new owners feel the KEEL BONE itself and find that it protrudes slightly and feels sharp. This is perfectly natural in young birds and should not concern you.
There is a chart of "average weights" for most parrot species at the link below. Note the Eclectus average is similar to Dr. Clubb's combined average weight.
AVERAGE BIRD WEIGHTS
From -- Parrots in Aviculture
By Rosemary Low
Eclectus average weight 375-550 grams
www.avianweb.com/AverageBirdWeights.htm
MALES:
Average -- 430 grams
Range ---- 388 to 524 grams
FEMALES:
Average -- 452 grams
Range ---- 383 to 549 grams
Note that generally the eclectus female is a little chunkier and heavier, and the male is somewhat more streamlined and lighter weight. (She is designed to incubate eggs and brood chicks in the nest, while he flies long distances to gather food).
Eclectus babies reach their maximum weight at the age of seven weeks. At fledging, they lose approximately ten percent of their top weight at the age of seven weeks. They continue to grow until the age of two years and add a slight amount of weight between the age of two and three years.
Eclectus baby weight ranges that new owners might find helpful include both sexes and all commonly available subspecies:
7 weeks -- 318 to 477 maximum weight
12 weeks -- 312 to 422 grams
14 weeks -- 321 to 422 grams
I consider this a realistic general range of weights and one that does not cause new owners to worry about whether their birds are "heavy enough". Fat is especially detrimental to the health of creatures designed to be lean, streamlined flyers. Birds have hollow bones and sinuses to keep down their weight for more efficient flying. They are designed for the strenuous activities of flying and climbing. Fat does not belong on -- or in -- their bodies. In fact, excessive fat shortens their life span.
I encourage new owners to be more concerned about other indicators of health. If the bird is bright, alert, inquisitive about its surroundings, active, has a good appetite and shiny eyes and lustrous feathers, more than likely they are exactly the right weight for their individual body.
One can feel on either side of the keel bone (breast bone in the middle of the breast area) and if there is spongy tissue there, the weight is not likely to be too low for the size of the bird. If you feel only bone instead of spongy tissue on the breast beside the keel bone, your Eclectus might be underweight and the diet should be discussed with your breeder and/or vet. Remember that young, growing birds DO need calories from healthful foods.
Some new owners feel the KEEL BONE itself and find that it protrudes slightly and feels sharp. This is perfectly natural in young birds and should not concern you.
There is a chart of "average weights" for most parrot species at the link below. Note the Eclectus average is similar to Dr. Clubb's combined average weight.
AVERAGE BIRD WEIGHTS
From -- Parrots in Aviculture
By Rosemary Low
Eclectus average weight 375-550 grams
www.avianweb.com/AverageBirdWeights.htm