SENEGAL PARROTS - "POICEPHALUS PARROTS"

Of the nine species, the yellow face (Poicephalus flavifrons) is unknown, and the Niam Niarn (P * crassus) is very rare in aviculture. The Senegal (P. senegalus) is the best known, and the Meyer's (P. meyeri), brown head (P. cryptoxanthus) and red belly (P. rufiventris) are also available. The recent increasing popularity of these small parrots augurs well for their future in our aviaries and homes. I believe that they are destined to be very popular indeed. There are two main reasons for their popularity: their small size and the extremely attractive personalities of tame birds. They thoroughly enjoy being held and petted. In addition, many learn to repeat an amazing number of words. Due to their small size, of course, their vocal reproduction is not as accurate in tone as in African grey parrots, but this somehow adds to their charm.

The small species Senegals, Meyer's, brown heads, red bellies and Ruppell's (P. rueppellii) - do not seem conscious of their size (about 9 inches in length and 125 grams in weight) but have personalities that match those of larger parrots. Tame birds are fearless, and their eyes blaze a warning when threatened or excited.

Pet Quality

The small Poicephalus parrots make excellent pets when hand- raised. Young parent-raised birds take much longer to become tame and wild-caught adults are unlikely ever to be friendly; they are suitable only for breeding. These days, wild-caught Poicephalus do not enter the United States, and almost all those offered for sale are handraised young, usually Senegals and Meyer's. Unlike Amazon parrots, for example, they are not seasonal breeders and might be available at any time of the year. The ability to make entertaining pets and to learn to mimic applies to all Poicephalus species.

How does one decide which member of the genus to choose for a pet? This is usually dictated by availability and the choice between a small species and the Jardine's, that are approaching the size of an African grey. There is little to choose between them in personality. All are very appealing. At the present, though, there are not enough Ruppell's or Cape parrots (P. robustus) for these species to be sold as pets.

Keeping Pet Poicephalus

When purchasing, how will you know that the bird is young if you do not buy it from the breeder? The eye color will indicate its age. In young birds, the iris of the eye is grayish, not the bright yellow, red or brown of an adult. In extremely young birds, the beak is partly pinkish.

From the viewpoint of the potential pet owner, African parrots can be divided into two groups, related to their size. A cage for a single bird in this group should measure not less than 26 inches long by 17 inches wide by 22 inches high. A Jardine's will need a larger cage.

Poicephalus are active birds that enjoy all kinds of toys; these take up cage space. Swings small cardboard boxes, small bells, cotton rope ladders and more expensive parrot toys will all be enjoyed. Some like the more complicated toys with leather, beads and rope. However, the small species generally do not like the larger toys. Some people keep their young birds amused with simple yet inexpensive ideas. Some birds do not like rawhide leather hung up in strips, yet thin strips threaded through the cage bars keeping them amused for a long time. Short lengths of string (no more than 6 inches long) are tied to the cage bars; the strands are teased open and nibbled at. Since they are short, they are quite safe; longer lengths could be dangerous. People also hang healthy treats from the cage roof. Toys that incorporate food are always popular! In a spacious cage, cotton rope, knotted in several places, will provide hours of activity. [Editor's note: Make sure to remove and replace shredded rope and other semi-demolished toys in a timely manner. Overzealous chewers and hangers, Poicephalus parrots could easily injure themselves in loose fibers and other such materials.] These are just a few ideas. An inventive owner will think of many more.

Save the cardboard middles from toilet paper rolls for the young parrots. They were items for rapid destruction, except in the case of one young female. She would immediately place the roll over her head, wearing it like a huge hat that covered her eyes. She would then stagger about; totally unable to see where she was going. She would do this every time so there was no doubt she enjoyed this strange form of amusement. It was a hilarious sight for any human observers!

Some Poicephalus love to lie on their backs on the floor and play with easily held objects, such as half a walnut. Because they enjoying playing on the floor of the cage, I have not used the type for Poicephalus that has a grid above the tray. I prefer to use cages made entirely of welded mesh. This is because for these small and active birds, length is the most important measurement height is not so important. A welded mesh cage suitable for the small species measures 36 inches long, 21 inches wide and 24 inches high.

In the U.S., it has almost become standard practice to trim a pet parrot's wing feathers. Why do people trim birds' wings? Partly to prevent birds from escaping and often in the belief that they will be easier to tame. However, many escapees are birds whose owners have neglected to keep the feathers trimmed after the birds have gone through a molt and have grown in new feathers. [Editor's note: BIRD TALK still recommends trimming a pet bird's wings to prevent it from escaping to almost certain death into an environment filled with predators and obstacles where it could not survive for long.] Is it really so difficult to let out a parrot for perhaps one hour daily under close supervision? If this is believed to be impractical, because of the need to have doors and windows open during warm weather, there is an easy solution. Make a cover of welded mesh (hardware cloth) on a wooden frame, which can be painted (with nontoxic paint, of course) to match the decor, to fit over an open window. Always take care when your parrot is enjoying exploring the room; ban the presence of other pets and toxic plants, and forbid chewing on anything that might contain lead. These birds are very curious and like to explore everything.

You can buy or make a playstand. Cover it with toys, introduced one at a time. Make provision for a holder for a fresh-cut branch, with leaves, buds or berries, to slot into the stand. Willow, poplar, apple, casuarina, eucalyptus and hawthorn will all be enjoyed - the latter especially so if they are bearing berries (always make sure the tree limbs you offer are nontoxic and free of pesticides and exhaust toxins).

Healthy foods for your Poicephalus

Here is a list of foods that can be combined in one colorful, appetizing dish. Soak beans, such as black-eyed, butter, haircot, garbanzio and mung beans, with maze (corn) overnight, then wash well. Cover with water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and serve. Bag and freeze the remainder for feeding the rest of the week and defrost overnight before use. If cooked longer than 10 minutes, the ingredients will not stay firm and will be less appetizing. (Other beans, brown rice and sunflower kernels can also be added to the mixture.

Frozen vegetables in large packs from the supermarket usually contain diced carrots, chopped green beans, peas and sweet corn; thaw and use. (Editors note. Note the sodium content in frozen vegetables purchased; purchase either low-sodium frozen vegetables or make sure to thoroughly rinse the defrosted frozen vegetables before serving them to your birds.)

Offer fresh vegetables; diced carrots, chopped broccoli, zucchini and celery. Celery is usually preferred cut into slim sticks. Whole green beans are a favorite with the small poicephalus.

Offer fresh fruit: chopped apple and orange, and grapes. In season, offer pomegranates, quavas and hawthorne berries (if available) - three of the most popular foods. Soaked dry figs are also relished. Some or all of the above will make a nutritious mixture that can form about 50 percent of the diet. In warm weather, it should be fed in the morning, and nonperishable food (pellets or seed) should be given the afternoon.

Diet and Everyday Care

Whether you prefer to use a seed-based diet or a pelleted one, I believe that the addition of vegetables daily is vital. A mixture can be made using cooked pulses, thawed frozen vegetables and fresh vegetables. A wide variety of items can be used to vary the mixture. Cape parrots also require walnuts on a regular basis; they can open whole nuts with their strong, pointed beaks. The other species will relish walnut halves, and most also like pine nuts.

Use common sense in your bird's everyday care. Don't place its cage in direct sunlight or near the television or other noisy appliances. Give a warm spray with a plant mister two or three times a week, and change cage bedding daily. If you use natural perches, change them on a regular basis. Don't let your birds sit on slippery, shiny perches. I do not recommend Manzanita for these small parrots; it is too hard and becomes slippery in due course.

Another important aspect of Poicephalus care is discipline. Just because they are small, don't be led to believe this is unnecessary. It is just as important as for a grey parrot, for example. They are very strong-willed little birds and will learn to dominate you if you let them!

Poicephalus are easy to care for. If cared for correctly, they are very long-lived and will give you more years of pleasure than you ever dreamed possible. They are cheeky, affectionate, inquisitive and amusing - in short, everything that you could ask for in one small package!

Poicephalus are active birds that enjoy all kinds of toys.

SENEGAL BASICS

• Senegals, Poicephalus senegalus, are one of the more popular pet birds. They make wonderful companion birds for singles and families; they are very happy when kept in a single-bird household, after all, they have you and sharing you is not part of their agenda.
• Cages need not be overly large since Senegals are happy in the security of a smaller cage. A cage measuring 24" x 24" x 24" is adequate. When a lot of toys take up room, a larger cage may be required.
• Provide Senegals with a multitude of toys, and rotate them to keep the birds' interest. Swings are some of their favorite toys. Many Senegals enjoy play areas away from the cage and around family activities.
• A water bottle should be provided as well as a water dish/bowl. Senegals like to bathe frequently and will dirty their water bowls by dunking their pelleted food to soften it. Use of a water bottle will insure clean water is always present. Check the water bottle's opening daily, as Senegals like to put food or other things into the end of the tube.
• Senegal's diet should consist of a mixture of commercial formulated seed blend, pellets, and dark yellow and green leafy vegetables high in betacarotene. Senegal's diet should consist of a mixture of commercial formulated seed blend, pellets, and dark yellow and green leafy vegetables high in betacarotene.
• Wing clipping of the five to seven outer-most primary flight feathers should be done shortly after' the Senegal has weaned. All African parrots are heavy-bodied birds and if clipped too severely, they "drop like a rock" if they try to fly.
• When a negative behavior presents itself, such as chewing buttons off shirts, it is more effective to change the subject (offer a chew toy) rather than address the problem with a negative or punishing response.
• Senegals need daily interaction with their owners to keep them from becoming cage bound. Since they can become devoted to just one person, each member of the household must interact with the bird.

Reprinted by Pretty Birds from Pet Product News

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