Eclectus are a remarkable bird and ideally suited as a pet. When taught properly, they are capable of cognitive behaviour from a very young age. The ability of the Eclectus to communicate with humans is a result of their extremely inquisitive nature, a feature strongly linked to their life in the rainforest canopy. This habitat is a rich environment requiring a heightened visual and audible intellect to master. The Eclectus has developed a complex breeding culture in this crowded vegetative habitat resulting in communal breeding where uncles and aunties help rear young in a creche-like situation. This sharing and caring feature of the Eclectus makes them naturally the perfect pet. When treated in a similarly caring and intelligent way they will quickly learn to communicate cognitively. This is only possible when these birds are perfectly healthy. Their health is intimately connected to the food they are fed. They are unique in the bird world in their requirements of vitamin A. Without this vitamin, they become highly susceptible to health problems. They have an eight-fold requirement for vitamin A compared to other parrots. Additional fatty acids are also required. In their wild habitat, rain forest fruit, nuts and insects provide this source of nutrition. Eclectus are largely fruit-eaters, but seeds form an important part of their diet.

Dr Marshall has developed a unique method for providing Eclectus parrots with their exact nutritional needs. This nutritional programme is combined with special health additives to keep the Eclectus in perfect health.