Senegal Parrot

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Senegal Parrot | image = Senegal_parrot.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Psittaciformes | familia = Psittacidae | genus = Poicephalus | species = P. senegalus | binomial = Poicephalus senegalus | binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1766 }} The Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus senegalus) is a parrot which is a resident breeder in west Africa. The name "Senegal" comes from a country in Africa where it is commonly found. It undergoes local movements, driven mainly by the availability of the fruit and blossoms which make up its diet. It is considered a farm pest, often feeding on crops. The Senegal is a bird of open woodland and savannah. It nests in holes in trees, often Oil Palms, laying 2-3 white eggs. It is a gregarious and noisy species with range of whistling and squawking calls. Senegal Parrots live an average of approximately 25-30 years in the wild, but have been known to live for 50 years in captivity.

This is a 23cm long, plump-looking, short-tailed parrot. Adults have a dark grey head, yellow eyes, green back and throat, and yellow underparts and rump. The yellow areas on a Senegal Parrot are in a V-shape and resemble a vest. Immature birds are duller, with a lighter grey head and grey eyes. Senegals are not sexually dimorphic, but there are some theories on how to tell the genders apart. It is believed that a female's head and beak will be smaller and sleeker than the male. Also, the "V" of the vest is usually longer in females, stopping between the legs whereas the males' "V" ends midway down the chest.

There are three generally recognized subspecies. They do not differ in personality, but only in the color of the "vest". In the pet trade, the nominate subspecies is the most common though all three are raised and sold as pets.

  • Poicephalus senegalus senegalus (the nominate subspecies): The vest is yellow. Its native range includes southern Mauritania, southern Mali to Guinea and the Island of Los.
  • Poicephalus senegalus mesotypus: This subspecies has an orange vest. It comes from eastern and northeastern Nigeria and Cameroon into southwest Chad.
  • Poicephalus senegalus versteri: The vest of this subspecies is red. Its native range is the Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana east to western Nigeria.
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Senegal Parrots as pets

Image:Reagan.JPG The Senegal Parrots have recently begun to be bred in captivity and are the most popular Poicephalus parrot, with the Meyers Parrot being the second most popular. Senegal Parrots make excellent pets, and, like all Poicephalus parrots, are curious, fun-loving animals that are much "mellower" compared with many other parrots. They can live up to 50 years in a safe clean home.

Senegal Parrots are known for their jealousy of other family members and pets. Many birds will develop a bond with one human only and will refuse to interact with other people, even attacking them in some cases. This goes true for animals as well, for though a Senegal is a small bird it doesn't seem to believe so, and will attack larger birds and even dogs if it feels it or its human is threatened. Owners should be cautious in multiple-pet homes. Making sure to socialize the bird at a young age, letting many people handle and interact with it can prevent the single-person bond and allow it to become an excellent family pet. Also, birds bred in captivity show much less aggression than those captured from the wild. A wild-caught bird may be cheaper, but will likely not make a good pet.

Senegals are acrobatic, amusing, and generally sweet. They are able to speak in a limited fashion, often with a high squeaky voice, and can learn to mimic many sounds such as whistling, kisses, microwave beeps, and smoke alarms.

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References

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