Solomon Island Parrot

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: October 10th, 2018

About Solomon Island Parrot

Size

14 inches

Lifespan

up to 40 years

Bird Species

Eclectus

Colors

Green; Red/Purple

Sounds

Vocal, Mimics, Natural Calls, Noisy

Interaction

Social, Calm, Fun, Friendly, Cuddly, Docile

Comparable Breeds

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Mitred Conure

Solomon Island Parrot General Info

The Eclectus parrots are some of the most awe-inspiring parrots today. After all, it’s not every day you see such vivid and exotic colors on a bird! One of the most prominent breeds in this species is the Solomon Island parrot. These vibrant and friendly parrots make great pets, as their beautiful looks are complemented by an even lovelier character. Highly popular in aviculture, Solomon Island Parrot quickly rose to be one of the world’s most popular and recognizable pet parrots.

You will certainly be charmed by the incredible looks of the Solomon Island parrot. And as an added bonus, you will love their friendly and fun personality.

Native Region/Natural Habitat

One of the iconic sights of the Oceania region, these parrots are living proof of all the exotic species in this region. They are also one of the oldest species of parrots, being present for around 10,000 years. They inhabit the Solomon Islands, as the name suggests, but also the nearby islands of New Guinea and Sumba, as well as the Maluku islands and northern Australia. Their populations are mostly stable, but in a few areas, they are totally displaced and nearly non-existent. The biggest reason behind this is extensive logging and clearing of primordial forests.

Overall Description

One of the smallest subspecies of the Eclectus parrots, Solomon Island parrot doesn’t differ much from the nominate breed. But still, with a few key details to set them apart, they have been recognized as unique and no less impressive. The adults reach an average length of 14 inches (35 centimeters) and can weigh about a pound (440 grams). They have one of the most prominent differences between males and females ever recorded in parrots. Most of these differences are color related and there can be no mistaking which bird is male and which is female.

Speech and Sounds

Eclectus parrots are on the middle ground when it comes to noise. Due to its docile personality, Solomon Island parrot might be quiet at times, but when the loud and piercing natural call comes into play, you will surely take notice. Even though this is tolerable and not too obtrusive, you should still consider this fact if you live in an apartment. Solomon Island parrots is not a born talker, but with a bit of patient training they will pick up a few words to repeat. They can also become good mimics, with common sounds being their favorite repertoire.

Colors

The biggest pride of Solomon Island parrot and an undeniable eye-catcher is its exotic and vibrant plumage. The males and females are also completely different in color, so in a sense, it’s two breeds in one. The males are entirely colored in a bright, tropical green of an almost neon shade. Their unique smooth and rounded beaks are bright yellow, creating a visible difference. The lower edge of the wings is mixed with bright blue tones, while the wingtips are yellow. The females, on the other hand, are red and purple. Both of these colors are very bright and vibrant. The chest and lower body are purple, while the rest of the body is red. Wings have a darker, crimson shade and their beaks are black. The underside of the tail is yellow. These incredible colors are a unique and beautiful sight and will leave no one uninspired.

Eclectus parrots display the most prominent sexual differences in the entire parrot world.

Care and Feeding

In the wild, their diet is varied and is mostly centered on various fruits, like mangos, papaya, bananas, apples, guavas, and various other exotic fruits. Solomon Island parrot will thrive on a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, seeds, spray millet and nuts. If these parrots do not receive enough vitamins and minerals, they can develop a condition of muscle spasms which, while not dangerous, can cause some discomfort. That’s why you should always aim for a high quality and a well-researched diet with your pet Eclectus.

Health and Common Conditions

These parrots are quite robust and in general quite healthy and enduring. With enough good care and plenty of attention, they can live up to 40 years. But if neglected, Solomon Island parrot is prone to a few conditions, like feather plucking, which is dangerous and difficult to remedy once it sets in. This is why good care and hygiene are important, but most importantly social interaction. A lonely and neglected bird is most vulnerable to these conditions.

Solomon Island parrot is docile and friendly. These birds are unique for their slow and calm reactions-even when faced with new and exciting things.

Personality & Behavior

These birds are one of the more unique pet parrots, and they have a variety of very interesting traits. Owning one of these parrots will take some getting used to, so allow some time to meet your new pet completely and get familiar with its personality. In general, Solomon Island parrot is calm and docile, friendly bird that is not overly energetic. A few perches and toys will go a long way with them, as well as an occasional cuddle and a playful handling. With a moderately long lifespan, an affectionate, fun and laid-back personality, relatively low noise levels and beautiful looks, we can all agree that Solomon Island Parrot makes a wonderful pet.

Photo credit: fivespots/Shutterstock; Wang LiQiang/Shutterstock; Redchanka/Shutterstock

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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If you’ve ever heard your dog snoring, you might’ve wondered if sleep apnea is a condition that can affect canines like it does humans. The answer is, yes, dogs can have sleep apnea, although it is rare, and certain breeds may be at greater risk. Below is some information on sleep apnea in dogs, including research, symptoms, and possible treatment options.

Jolly Pets’ Annual “#WeGiveaJolly” Campaign Helps Shelter Dogs

Jolly Pets is the brand behind innovative, durable, and unique pet toys that are made entirely by domestic manufacturers – and every holiday season, they make an effort to spread joy, kindness, and love to all the pooches in need. This season, collaborating with 19 influencer ambassadors, they are once again heading their # WeGiveaJolly charitable campaign. Starting from November 28th until December 25th, Jolly Pets will donate a high-quality toy for every single purchase made. The toys will go to rescue dogs at 19 animal shelters in the USA, each represented by the influencer ambassadors, as announced by the marketing director of Jolly Pets, Louisa Casto. "The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to make a difference in the lives of shelter dogs than through the power of play and companionship. Jolly Pets understands the importance of providing joy and comfort to dogs awaiting their forever homes, and # WeGiveaJolly exemplifies our commitment to this cause," said Casto. "We believe that every dog deserves love, care, and happiness regardless of their circumstances. That's why we're excited to kick off our annual # WeGiveaJolly campaign, collaborating with compassionate ambassadors and animal shelters to make a real difference in a dog's life."This campaign will bring true holiday cheer across the country, especially to rescue dogs who are in dire need of some love and compassion.The ambassadors, shelters, and locations are as follows:@guidingeyesfortheblind for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Yorktown Heights, NY@goodasgoldens for Canine Companions, Sacramento, CA@Jack_the_Sleeper for Fort Worth North Animal Care and Adoption Campus, Haslet, TX@moosethegoldenretriever for Rescue Village, Russell Twp., OH@cheriethesurfdog for Frenchies United Rescue, Claremont, CA@incredibullstella for Animal Help Alliance, Las Vegas, NV@iheartpgracie for Animal Care Centers of NYC, New York, NY@2rockstarlabs for Crossed Paws Animal Shelter, Woodsfield, OH@koda.laredo for Hoosier Bulldog Rescue, Indianapolis, IN@posies_pocketful_of_praise for Pickens Humane Society, Liberty, SC@ziggy_loving_life for Home Fur Good Animal Rescue, Phoenix, AR@maligator_apollo for PAWS Chicago, Chicago, IL@remingtonpup for Great Pyrenees Rescue Society, Spring, TX@gvl_golden_girls for Dog Squad, Greer, SC@enzo.and.bella for Friends of Detroit Animal Care & Control, Northville, MI@benny.n.lola for Humane Society Silicon Valley, Milpitas, CA@leuleu_theblue for the Pet Alliance Sanford Shelter, Orlando, FL@the.hero.dogs for Hot Mess Pooches, Homer, IL@fosterkittenhq for The Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Arlington, VA"By participating in Jolly Pets # WeGiveaJolly campaign, our customers are not only providing joy to their own pets but also extending that joy to shelter dogs waiting for a loving home. It's a small act of kindness that can profoundly impact these dogs' lives," Casto said. "We encourage using the hashtag # WeGiveaJolly on social media to encourage friends and family to participate in this heartwarming initiative."To learn more about the # WeGiveaJolly campaign and to shop for Jolly Pets' durable and innovative pet toys, visit  https://jollypets.com/pages/wegiveajolly-annual-toy-drive.

How Often Do Dogs Need to Go Out to Pee?

When nature calls, dogs answer. And when dogs answer, so do you – by taking them outside to do their business. In other words, if you have a potty-trained dog, they will rely on you to know when their bladder is full or at least to take them out frequently enough so it doesn’t get full in the first place. This leaves most owners with the question – how often do dogs need to go out to pee? You don’t want them to have an accident inside the home but you probably don’t want to take them out for a walk every hour or so (even if you did have the time for it) so it’s important to find the right balance. Here’s what you need to know so you can make it work for you and your dog.How Often Do Dogs Pee?The frequency at which dogs need to go out to pee can vary depending on several factors, including their age, breed, size, activity level, and overall health. In general, you can use the following guidelines as a starting point, but it's important to pay attention to your individual dog's needs and adjust accordingly. Sometimes, it’s enough to just observe the signs your dog gives you, like nudging you or standing by the door. But at other times, it requires a bit of “intervention”. When it comes to the connection between a dog’s age and their peeing habits, the younger the pooch, the more they need to go out. Puppies have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms, so they typically need to go out more frequently. A general rule of thumb is to take a puppy out every 1 to 2 hours, especially after eating, drinking, playing, or waking up from a nap. Make sure to let them know why you are going out so they’ll gradually relate walkies with peeing time.Adult dogs, on the other hand, can usually hold their bladders for longer periods. Most adult dogs need to go out every 4 to 6 hours. Some larger breeds may have more bladder capacity and can hold it longer, while smaller breeds may need to go out more frequently, so have that in mind too. Of course, as dogs age, their ability to hold their bladders may decrease. Senior dogs may need to go out more frequently, potentially every 3 to 4 hours. What is more, some senior dogs may suffer from incontinence, meaning that they can’t really control when or where they pee. In this case, you could  use disposable dog diapers until their condition improves or in periods when you’re not there to take them out more frequently and prevent accidents.

Study Finds Pet Parents Care More About Their Dogs Than Their Cats

Pet parents tend to place themselves into one of two categories. You can either be a dog person or a cat person - there’s nothing in between. This may come as a shock to all cat lovers, but scientists have found that dog owners care more for their dogs than cat owners care for their cats. At least that’s the case with pet owners across Denmark, Austria, and the United Kingdom.Although these findings have been observed in older studies, veterinary scientists from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, wanted to find out whether cultural factors had any effect on the results. Their results were first published in the Journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. “We and others have found that people are willing to spend much less on their cats than on their dogs,” said Peter Sandøe, professor at the University of Copenhagen and the study’s lead author. “We wanted to find out whether cats could eventually end up having the same high status as dogs do today.”The scientists surveyed 2,117 pet owners, including 844 dog owners, 872 cat owners, and 401 owners who owned both cats and dogs. Participants were asked questions about their pets’ health insurance, their willingness to pay for life-saving medical treatment, and other questions designed to determine how much owners care for their pets. Pet owners from all three countries had a higher attachment score for dogs than for cats. Dog owners were more likely to buy insurance for their dogs, and said they were willing to spend more for life-saving treatment for their dogs. However, the results of the study varied greatly across the countries. The differences were most noticeable in Denmark, where 41% of dog owners said they were willing to pay a high cost of life-saving medical treatment for their dogs compared to 26% of cat owners. On the other hand, the United Kingdom’s results were in favor of dogs, but only slightly. Around 34% of dog owners in the UK said they would pay more for their dogs’ medical treatment compared to 28% of cat owners. According to scientists, such a slight difference isn’t statistically significant. ‘While people care more about their dogs than their cats in all countries, the degree of difference varied dramatically between countries,” said Sandøe. The researchers originally hypothesized that people in Denmark might be more unaccustomed with cats living indoors than people living in Austria and the United Kingdom since Denmark became urbanized much later than these two countries. Thanks to a much more recent rural history, cats in Denmark might be seen as just another farm animal.According to researchers, several studies hypothesize that when cats are more likely to spend time indoors, they tend to become much closer to their owners, who consequently care more about them. This was confirmed by studies in the U.S. and Mexico, where many cats are indoors-only felines.So it comes as no surprise that in Denmark, where just one out of five cats is kept strictly indoors and many have outdoor access, most pet owners care less about cats. Researchers think that pet owners’ level of care for their pets may depend on the level of interaction and dependence, as well as other factors. "There seems to be no natural limit to how much people will end up caring about their cats compared to their dogs,” said Sandøe. “The British are often portrayed as a nation of cat lovers, which is certainly confirmed by our study. The Danes have a long way to go, but they may eventually get there.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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