New Eclectus not eating

Hello all,

I am new to the forums having become a new owner of an Eclectus parrot. This is just my second day with her and already we've made some progress. She just doesn't seem to want to eat. I am thinking its the whole newness of the environment. Any thoughts? Shes 2 BTW.

Food-wise: What is her current environment like (cage setup - external and internal)? What was her diet previously, and what/how/when are you offering her?

charmedbyekkie said:

Food-wise: What is her current environment like (cage setup - external and internal)? What was her diet previously, and what/how/when are you offering her?

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She has a large cage but I've kept her out all day with me. She's on my shoulder right now. She's been on a perch on my desk while I work etc.

She was on a diet of some pellets, some seeds, mangos and apples. I also went and got some blueberries, banana chips, and some chili peppers. None of which she's interested in. Also, her fav was bread and apples but she won't touch either. I haven't even seen her drink water.

Hmm, ok, imagine you’ve adopted a 2 year old. They were used to eating triangle shaped food at the breakfast nook on their favourite blue plate with their mum eating her own food next to them. Now, suddenly, they’re in a stranger’s home. They can’t communicate with this stranger. And tbh, it’s stranger danger all the way. Sometimes the stranger places funny things near them. Sometimes the stranger pushes things in front of their face. A few things look potentially familiar - same color, but wrong shape. Still don’t know if they can trust this stranger, and definitely don’t know what this stranger is doing. They’re feeling homesick.

First things first, some parrots just don’t like eating in front of strangers (or even family members).
Are you giving her a safe space to eat/drink? Or are you forcing her to eat/drink close to or in front of you?

Consider your setup. Is the cage exposed or does it have a side or two up against a wall? Are there foliage-like things for her to hide behind? Is she accustomed to eating in there? If she used to take her meals in her cage, let her have that sense of normalcy (everything else in her life has changed).

Now, I understand she’s outside of her cage. Does she understand where the food bowl is and where the water bowl is? Think about what makes a food bowl different from another bowl - you trust a bowl to be a food bowl if things you recognise as food are in there or if you've always used it as a food bowl. Are they within her easy reach?

Are they the type of food she is expecting? Not just source, but also shape? Some parrots like things finely chopped, others like big chunks. Have you tried eating the foods in front of her to show that they’re safe and that you enjoy them (so she should too)?

I’d strongly recommend you read the threads about eclectus diets:
diets
http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/52737-so-you-think-you-want-eclectus.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/67671-retooling-ekkie-diet-nomenclature.html

Her cage is in a corner protected by walls on 2 sides. Her perch she's been sitting on (that has been with her all her life) has a food and water cup with a variety of foods That I've read are beneficial for Eclectus as well as everything the previous owner has said she enjoys.

I have read everything I can find. I expected it was the newness of the situation. I was simply looking for any additional thoughts on the matter.

I can assure you I have read and prepared for her home coming and considered everything when making the decision to bring her into my home.

This article might be helpful
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

UPDATE: She's eating!