Papuan Eclectus

1. Males are bright green with orange-yellow bills; females are red with black bills.

2. Short-tailed, big-headed appearance with broad wings.

3. Loud, harsh calls heard during flight.

Papuan Eclectus Parrots primarily feed on fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers, and nectar in the rainforest canopy. They nest in tree hollows high above the ground, often sharing large trees with other pairs. Breeding occurs from April to September, with females laying two eggs that hatch after about 30 days. Cooperative breeding is common; multiple males may feed a single female and her chicks. These parrots form communal roosts and are highly vocal during their daily movements.

In Australia, the Papuan Eclectus Parrot is restricted to the Iron and McIlwraith Ranges of Cape York Peninsula. It inhabits lowland tropical rainforests and is most active at dawn and dusk when it commutes between roosting and feeding sites. Look for them flying above the canopy or visiting fruiting trees at forest edges. Their loud "krraach-krraak" calls often reveal their presence before they are seen.

The Papuan Eclectus Parrot has been recognized for its extreme sexual dimorphism since the late 19th century when Western science confirmed that males and females belonged to the same species. Indigenous knowledge likely identified this much earlier. The species' vivid colors have made it a target for illegal trapping for aviculture.