I noticed tonight that my ekkie's foot is opening and closing while he was perched on his play stand. He likes roudybush pellets. I have read that pellets can cause toe tapping. I have been trying to switch him to eat more vegies for 2 weeks now (I got my ekkie almost 3 weeks ago) and he will eat some but he goes to his pellets more. Do I need to take the pellets away and just give him vegies? (I dont want him to starve either). He had a vet check 3 days after I got him including blood test and it was normal per vet. Please help, I hope this is not life threatening.

Thanks
Jun

I am not that familiar with it, but this article might help.

Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - Toe Tapping. From the Combined Perspectives Of an Eclectus Owner and an Avian Veterinarian

thanks for the quick response.

This might help. It's a post from Laurella Desborough who's been breeding/caring for eclectus for many years. She's also a friends friend.

Regarding eclectus diet.
There are some things that should not be fed to an eclectus parrot. This information is based on both my experience of over twenty years with these birds and the experience of many pet bird owners and other eclectus breeders.

No artificially colored pellets...ever.
Limit the amount of natural color pellets.

No Nutriberries or Avicakes...too many man made vitamins which in many individual birds cause toe tapping and other health problems. Sometimes not immediately, but eventually.

Limit the amount of cooked egg...once or twice a month only. (Because too much egg causes arteriosclerosis and a very early death for eclectus and other parrots.)

IF you are going to bake various birdie breads, like corn meal with added veggies and stuff...WORK FROM SCRATCH. Using those boxed mixes means you are adding a bunch of chemicals and man made vitamins that are not good for parrots. Sure, boxed mixes are handy, but, they are NOT healthy for parrots.

I don't see many people listing GREENS for their birds. Eclectus relish greens such as commercial dandelion and endive, because they are high in betacarotene and in important minerals. Eclectus need greens. In the wild they do eat leaf buds and flower buds.

Someone mentioned that parrots will kill a weak or sick member of the flock and eat it. IMO that is an incorrect statement. Sick birds may be driven off in order to remove them from the flock, because they draw predators. OR individuals in the flock may attempt to assist the sick bird. There are examples of that helpful behavior.

I know of NO reported instance where parrots in a flock in the wild killed and ate a sick bird!!! Folks, be careful what you report...such a statement deserves a reference to a scientific document or report!

Eclectus parrots do enjoy a great variety of fruits and veggies, soaked and cooked beans and rice (we use Fancy Soak and Simmer from Volkman at BirdSeed.com... For all of you birdseed needs.) They also enjoy a variety of seeds, including spray millet. Sunflower is just fine for eclectus, but like all seeds, you don't want to feed it in large amounts. We use the Volkman Eclectus Mix because it was designed by eclectus breeders for their birds and they do want their birds to get a healthy clean mix of seeds.

Pomegranates, papaya with seed, granny smith green apples, blueberries, cherries, well washed grapes, various melons with seeds, all are relished by eclectus parrots. When birds in the wild eat fruits, they are seeking the nutrition package, which is in the seeds. Also, whole green beans, slices of cucumber, chunks of fresh broccoli, wheels of corn on the cob on a skewer, and whatever else you find in the store.

Well cooked chicken minus skin and pieces of cooked fish are relished. I would not give a parrot a chicken bone because they will hold it and get grease on their feet which is transferred to the perch and which will grow bacteria. Then when the bird wipes its beak on the perch, it picks up bacteria...not a good idea!

Peanuts...very fattening and the dirtiest shelled item you can feed. We do not feed peanuts.

It is a good idea to MEASURE the amount of food provided so that birds eat all the items: seed mix about 1/4 cup per bird, COUNT the pellets...no more than 12 a day per bird, soft food mix (cooked beans, fresh and frozen veggies, fruits) about 1/2 to 3/4 cup per day, depending on the age and size of the bird...and we leave the soft foods from morning to late afternoon.

We do not add ANY vitamins to a varied and balanced diet...because vitamins are man made and vitamin A cannot be easily flushed from the system so that birds can build up a toxic level of A in the liver...with serious health consequences.

We do provide calcium and mineral supplements to the breeding birds DURING the breeding season only.

Keep in mind that some individual eclectus parrots, like individual amazons or Greys or macaws, may develop sensitivities to peanuts, wheat, commercial seed mixes with added vitamins, commercial food products like corn muffin mix, etc. Allergic reactions are identified when the bird starts chewing on feathers around the crop area, or on the neck.

Much feather chewing and plucking can be traced to diet issues...so, it is a good idea to stay away from man made commercial products with added chemicals and coloring agents and man made vitamins. Sometimes it takes years for these products to take their toll and show up in the bird.

A good variety of fresh fruits and veggies, a good variety of soaked and cooked or sprouted beans and rice, a good variety of a limited amount of seeds and grains, and some wholesome human foods should keep your bird in good health.

I do not sell any diet products nor receive any benefits from recommending any products, in order to be able to provide unbiased and accurate information. My goal is to promote good health for all eclectus parrots.

thanks Jeanne

i am going to schedule a vet visit tomorrow, hopefully they can see him tomorrow and have them do blood work again.

Let us know how you make out.

I use Volkmas's Ekkie Blend and add Goldenfeat to it and haven't had any problems except for a sexually mature male.

The article from Laurella Desborough that Jeanne posted is a good one.
Another valuable source of information that is Eclectus specific is The Land of Vos... Land of Vos Eclectus - Main Page

And of course keep asking questions here. I can assure you that the eclectus keepers here have done their home work and then some.

I'm not a fan of pellets when it comes to ekkies but that's just my personal preference and a subject for another day.

As far as getting him to eat his veggies or more of them...try pulling all food items at night and feed the veggies first thing in the morning when he is the hungriest. Feed a variety regardless...what he pitches out this week might very well become his favorite next week.

Eclectus for the most part are like little garbage disposals when it comes to food. Mine eat anything and everything that is given to them.

ok another question.

does toe tapping continues all day and all night? the reason i ask is my ekkie has not exhibited toe tapping this morning.

Id be willing to bet its from the dye in the pellets. I personally dont think taking him to the vet will help in any way. It will just stress him out and cost you money. Id take him off colored food, wait a week, and Ill bet the toe tapping will be done. Is he "wing snapping"? quick flips with a snapping sound?

Offer fresh carrots and fresh Kale. My boy loves that!