AVIAN | PET GAZETTE | 13
The Senegal Parrot is sexually
monomorphic, that meaning that both
sexes appear the same visually. Some
experienced keepers and breeders can see
differences in the bib shape and length, size
and behaviour of the birds and use this to
make an assumption of sex. To be very sure
of the sex of this species either DNA (this
is very easy with feather samples by post
now) or exploration via endoscopic sexing is
required.
Senegal’s are short birds with a rather
large slate grey head and robust grey beak.
The grey feathering covers the whole of the
top of the head and down under the chin.
There is then a vivid green V-shaped bib
over the nape down towards the middle of
the belly. This green continues up over the
shoulders, wings and over the top of the tail.
The bird displays a bright orange to yellow
colouration around and beneath the V with
soft yellows on the underside of the tail. The
leg coverings are green and make way for
fleshy coloured dextrous feet. Young birds are
known in a similar fashion to African Greys
as being ‘dark-eyed’ where until being 15 or
so months old the eye is almost solidly dark.
After this time the iris circles the pupil with a
www.petgazette.biz
brilliant and stark yellow/orange (there are a
further two subspecies, each with a degree
of change of size and feather colouration).
This is an active bird that loves to fly and
they do so very well, even in the house. As
such, they should be allowed to do so when
safe. Being a flocking bird by nature its owner
becomes one of the flock, being watched and
called to while in the home. This is standard
behaviour; the Senegal will not appreciate
being “left out” of the usual daily routine
and some adjustment will be needed to
accommodate this.
The Senegal is not a noisy bird by Parrot
standards, but they do have a loud and high
pitched “scree-scree” call. They are chatterers
and grinders, buzzers and whistlers. They
are able to mimic human speech and some
will even do so with a surprising quantity of
sense. They are however more inclined to
mimic noises such as telephones, car alarms,
beeps and buzzes. This can cause all sorts of
amusement in the home as various members
rush off to answer a call that never existed.
They will also grind the beak whilst resting
in typical Parrot fashion. Senegals are also
“sleepers”, they will often take themselves off
to bed without the help of their owner.
Parrots test everything with their beaks,
to the inexperienced this can feel like - or
actually be - a bite. Reacting to this negatively
is the worst thing to do. Good training is
needed early on, however, biting and to a
degree loud calling can be trained away.
Senegals are comical birds, wanting to
be in the thick if it at all times. They can be
trained to do tricks and will explore their
home, taking treasures as they roam. They
will also become fiercely house-proud. By
this I mean, he who enters the Senegal’s
(even more so with the Meyer’s) cage does
so at their own risk. These birds should be
allowed to step up out of the cage; those
who seek to pluck the bird from within the
October 2018