Solomon Island Eclectus are 12"-13" tall -- Aruensis Red-Sided Eclectus are 16"-17" tall. These photos clearly show the difference in stature of these two subspecies. The difference in tail length is best seen in the photo of the females, as both are standing straight. The male Aruensis is leaning forward with his tail raised, but it is also proportionately longer as well.

There are 10 or more subspecies of Eclectus Parrots, all strikingly beautiful, from the South Pacific. They are Asian parrots that has been around for 10,000 years. Most other parrots have been in existence for only 3,000 years. Their natural habitat is low-lying plains, especially tropical rain forests. When food is abundant, Eclectus parrots gather in large flocks, forage together, and live in colonies. This accounts for them being a wonderfully social bird.

The two sexes of this species, unlike those of any other parrot, differ dramatically in color. The females, depending on the variety, are a spectacular combination of red, purple, maroon, blue and yellow; the males are almost entirely green, with red under the wings and on the side of the body, with a touch of turquoise on top of the "shoulders". Both the males and females can learn to talk clearly and distinctly, and develop a very animated personality and charm of their very own. If taught to speak, they will not develop the annoying tendency to screech which is exhibited by other types of large birds. Instead, they will entertain you spontaneously with a hysterical monologue of every phrase they know, complete with inflections and melodious tones that they come up with all by themselves.