Eclectus cornelia
The Sumba Eclectus (*Eclectus cornelia*) stands as one of the avian world's most visually striking and sexually dimorphic parrots, a true gem of the Indonesian archipelago. Averaging 37 cm (14.5 inches) in length and weighing 380-480 grams, these captivating birds exhibit extreme color differences between the sexes. Males are resplendent in bright emerald green plumage with vivid blue primary flight feathers and a distinctive orange upper mandible, while females are adorned in a rich, uniform...
Exclusively found on Sumba Island, Indonesia, the Sumba Eclectus inhabits tropical lowland primary and secondary forests, often frequenting forest edges and cultivated areas with large, mature trees up to approximately 800 meters in elevation.
The Sumba Eclectus is primarily a frugivore, consuming a diverse range of fruits, nuts, seeds, and flowers, supplemented by leaf buds and nectar, typically foraging in the forest canopy.
Primarily diurnal and highly arboreal, Sumba Eclectus parrots spend most of their lives high in the forest canopy. They typically forage in pairs or small family groups, occasionally congregating in larger numbers at abundant fruiting trees. Foraging involves meticulously gleaning fruits, seeds, ...
The Sumba Eclectus (*Eclectus cornelia*) is strictly endemic to Sumba Island, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia, making its entire global distribution confined to this single island. It is a non-migratory, resident species found across Sumba, from its lowland forests to mid-elevations,...
Vulnerable
- The Sumba Eclectus exhibits one of the most extreme cases of sexual dimorphism among all parrot species, where males are emerald green and females are deep red, a trait once so confusing that males and females were initially described as two separate species. - Unlike most female Eclectus parro...