All About Senegal Parrots
According to parrot experts, the Senegal parrot one of the best-known members of the entire Poicephalus family for having compact and cuddly physical traits and a very playful attitude. Frequently seen in pet shops around the United States and Europe, Senegal parrots originated from the north central part of Africa.
Unlike other parrot species, parrots posses an entirely different nature which are extremely playful, gentle and sweet in temperament that is perfect for its charming personality, cleverness, clear speech, and manageable behavior. They are also quieter but are good talkers if taught and trained properly. Since they possess much tamer nature, are known to be less demanding especially if they are given daily attention and interaction.
SENEGAL PARROT 101
Senegal parrots are the most commonly kept Poicephalus birds there are. Identified for being a green bird with a gray head, Senegal parrots are famous for sporting different colored under parts, either its belly or vest with a bright yellow iris.
Senegal parrots can be divided into three sub-species that can easily be characterized by the color of their bellies as well as by their following names that include Poicephalus senegalus senegalus hailing from Southern Mauritania, southern Mali to Guinea and from the Island of Los, these are known as the nominate race and has a yellow belly; Poicephalus senegalus versteri originates from the Ivory Coast and Ghana east to western Nigeria and has red belly; and Poicephalus senegalus mesotypus coming from Eastern and North- eastern Nigeria, northern Cameroon into south-western Chad and has an orange belly.
These parrots live in moist woodlands and on the edges of the grasslands. They primarily feed on seeds, fruits, and grains particularly the seed of locust beans and newly formed buds of a various trees.
A Senegal parrot’s diet should consist of a good quality seed mixture of nuts, seeds, lean meat, biscuits, fruits, and vegetables-either raw or cooked. Vitamin and mineral supplements are also given to meet the nutritional need of the parrot.
Hand reared Senegal parrots are the most suitable pets because they are small enough to handle and can be placed in a medium sized parrot cage. These should be kept in cages or aviaries where they can eat and sleep. Preferably, Senegal parrots should be housed in relatively small cages manufactured for “small birds” and should be provided with lots of toys, T-stands and swings.
Senegal parrots are not as great talkers like the African Grey parrots but have the ability to learn a vocabulary depending on the owner’s patience to teach.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:02 am
What is your opinion on Senegal Parrots? And what do you know about their temperament?
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Senegals are terrific little birds, but they can be little demons if you don't know how to keep them in line. If you want a bird that looks very much like a Senegal, but with a better temperament, get a Meyer's or a Red-bellied poicephalus. Before I got the three birds I have now, I considered a Senegal and did research on all kinds of birds.
(I have three caiques).
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April 2nd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I think Senegal parrots can be a great choice for a newcomer to parrots because they're quiet and can be very friendly and good-tempered when they're handfed. I've known lots of Senegals to accept petting and being rolled over onto their back when trained to. However, some experience with teaching a bird to be non-aggressive would probably be good, because I think they tend to go through a "rebellious teenager" stage where they test you by biting.
A minor downside is that they don't really end up being great talkers, although they will imitate noises like a whistling, etc. And like any parrot, they need lots of companionship, so expect to spend time with it everyday if you only have one.
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April 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
My Senegals were very personable, funny little birds. They like a lot of attention and will become aggressive if left without human contact. My male became aggressive once he hit sexual maturity (about age 4, and can be true with any bird) and still bites. Sadly, I was his choice victim and yet it was obvious that he loved me and wanted to be with me.
Both the male and female did their daily gymnastics hanging upside down and dancing. They have huge personalities in little bodies. The have a limited vocabulary but can communicate well without words. While the ability to talk has never been important to me, ours were learning to count –1,2,3 — but I'd say 1 and 2 and they would chime in with a loud 3. They particularly like words with r's in them. When it was time to go to bed they would yell "ready".
Because of a move out of state, my two Senegals live with a friend back home and may or may not come back to us (it depends on how adjusted they are to their new home) when we return. However, even despite the bites, I'd welcome the opportunity to have them back or, I would entertain the possibility of having another Senegal. They are great little birds.
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April 2nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Senegal's can be wonderful pets. mine was a clown and fun to watch. he did have a very moody personality though. he would love to be held just so he could bite us, very HARD… cute birds with big personalities…
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October 20th, 2009 at 12:24 am
This is a very helpful post. I like your approach. I think you’ve researched it a lot. Did you know that Senegal parrots nest in holes in trees, often oil palms, usually laying three to four white eggs. The eggs are about 3 cm long x 2.5 cm wide. The eggs are incubated by the female, starting after the second egg has been laid, for about 27 to 28 days. Newly hatched chicks have a sparse white down and they do not open their eyes until about two to three weeks from hatching. They are dependent on the female for food and warmth who remains in the nest most of the time until about four weeks from hatching when the chicks have enough feathers for heat insulation. During this time the male brings food for the female and chicks, and guards the nest site. From about two to four weeks from hatching the female also begins to collect food for the chicks. The chicks fly out of the nest at about 9 weeks and they become independent from their parents at about 12 weeks from hatching.