How do eclectus parrots mate?
Here is a description based on information from the first eclectus book and my own observations: The female eclectus initiates “when” breeding will take place, but the male is the one who does most of the courtship dance. Some of his “enticing moves” are tapping his beak on the perch, running in circles, hopping on the perch–sometimes actually hopping OVER the female which is a rare and enjoyable sight. One ritual that I almost always observe when I’m lucky enough to watch the courtship process is the intertwining of necks. They rub their heads and necks together and sometimes do this in a rhythmic motion. Some think that this is the male’s way of testing the female for readiness. He places his neck over hers, then she puts her neck over his, and they sometimes appear to briefly “kiss” as they change positions. Once she signals her readiness, he begins to feed her. When she invites him to mate by bowing low on the perch with her rump in the air, he climbs onto her back and balances hi
