Poicephalus Parrots are small to medium-sized parrots that have robust beak and stocky bodies. They originally came from Africa’s many environments. There are many parrot species belonging to this group including the Senegal Parrot, Brown-headed, Cape/Un-cape, Jardine’s, Meyer’s, Niam-niam, Red-bellied, Ruppell’s and Yellow-faced. The word poicephalus seems to refer to the perplexing head colors of this species that varies with age, sex, subspecies and individual differences.
Poicephalus Parrots as Pets
Poicephalus Parrots are small to medium-sized parrots that have robust beak and stocky bodies. They originally came from Africa’s many environments. There are many parrot species belonging to this group including the Senegal Parrot, Brown-headed, Cape/Un-cape, Jardine’s, Meyer’s, Niam-niam, Red-bellied, Ruppell’s and Yellow-faced. The word poicephalus seems to refer to the perplexing head colors of this species that varies with age, sex, subspecies and individual differences.
The Poicephalus family of parrots generally has a very endearing quality. They possess the potential to make very good, well-socialized pet birds. Poicephalus Parrots are not noisy and raucous and they do not scream for attention. Most are able to talk with some doing so extremely well with a hundred word vocabularies. Their voices are somewhat similar to that of a computer but are very understandable.
Active birds such as the Poicephalus Parrots need a variety of toys for entertainment. Being the only bird in one’s household will work well for them. They do not require having a “buddy” bird for them to be happy.
Even when left alone for much of the day, the Poicephalus Parrot does not show the tendency towards behavior problem. This does not mean to say that they do not need interaction with their owners. Like all other parrots, they do. They just happen to be more patient than the other parrot species. Interacting time with their keeper should be done on a regular basis even if it is only upon the return of the owner from work. A neglected Poicephalus will become cage bound and anti-social.
The diet of a Poicephalus Parrot should contain a limited seed mix of both small and large seeds. It should also be supplemented with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. A good diet, fresh air, adequate room to exercise plus a happy environment spells the difference in keeping the birds healthy.
The Senegal Parrot is the most popular among those included in the Poicephalus group. As pets, Senegal Parrots are very charming, affectionate and funny. The ability to learn words ranges from a few words to a large vocabulary. Most people describe them as intense and love the fact that their owners love them. Senegal Parrots thinks that the world revolves around them. They have certain episodes of sudden freak-outs where they become very fearful. No logical explanation has been arrived at to explain this particular behavior.
Meyer’s Parrots are shy and are not as athletic as some of its related species. They are partial to toys and things that entail work and study along the lines of puzzles. They also enjoy working on knots in rawhide.
The Red-bellied Parrots are the show-offs of the group. They don’t clam-up even in front of strangers and will talk and jabber endlessly. However, they have a reputation for being on the nippy side.
The Jardine’s Parrots are considered the amazons of the Poicephalus minus the screaming and mating aggression. They are able to entertain themselves for hours and exhibit much joy in constant play. Cape Parrots, on the other hand, are very gentle and affectionate birds that are often likened to a Cockatoo.
There is not one specific Poicephalus species that can be considered more preferable than the other. It is really a matter of personal wants or likes. Owning a Poicephalus Parrot can be a good start-off in a bird owner’s learning experience.