I never thought I’d have to write this one, but I had better do so lest another person loses their bird.
A few weeks back some friends came to visit. One of them had a male Eclectus. It was very unfortunate and sad that that bird died from choking on it’s food. The bird in question was not a recently weaned youngster but approaching a year in age.
He shared with us that it wasn’t an isolated case, there was another person who too lost their bird the same way.
What was it that the friend was feeding?
One of my biggest irritants is that people buy food because there’s a picture of their bird species on it.
I feed Zupreem too, one size smaller. Which is the cockatiel size. There is a whole less wastage when it is bitten to pieces. One thing I observed about my birds is that some of them – especially the males which have partners to feed – will swallow pieces of food whole. Sprouted green beans, shelled seed get shoveled down throats without being chewed. Eclectus are well-known for their greediness.
Solomon Island Eclectus are also smaller sized and do not have the same beak strength as their bigger subspecies counterparts. You cannot expect an SI to comfortably eat the same pellet size as an Aruensis.
The majority of Eclectus soak their food in water (making ‘soup’) to soften it before swallowing. Some will hold it in their feet and take small bites.
So when you pass by a soupy bowl be thankful.
I remember I had a Vosmaeri male youngster that I was due to pickup some years back. But the day before I was to collect him, he was reportedly dead. I wonder if it was the same case…
Fruits & vegetables. You might question then how come some folks don’t chop up their fresh food and wonder if it’s safe. The difference is that fruits and vegetables are softer than pellets.
Do I chop up my fresh food? Yes, because there’s less wastage xD
The next time you buy pellets or treats, do consider to get one size smaller. Save your wallet and potential heartache. And of course don’t wait til your bird is starving before feeding anything.
Please note that this doesn’t mean you buy toys one size smaller. Rather, get something larger when it comes to toys. Little wooden beads can be equally dangerous, especially to youngsters who have yet to learn to play with toys.
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