The Senegal parrot is praised for its exotic colors and unique personality, but despite its popularity, it’s not the best choice if you’re new to birdkeeping. These parrots can be sweet but need constant socialization to prevent nipping, feather plucking, and stubbornness. If you’re thinking about getting a Senegal parrot, take some time to learn about this peculiar bird in our detailed guide below.
Senegal Parrots Suit Seasoned Birdkeepers
Most new bird keepers are drawn to the Senegal parrot for its beauty and charming temperament. These gray-headed and green-bodied parrots need constant love and attention and form deep bonds with their families. However, there’s another side to Senegals that many keepers are unaware of: these small parrots can be extremely stubborn, which makes them difficult to handle if you lack experience.
Senegal parrots are recommended for intermediate avian handlers who can provide the time and care needed to raise well-balanced and healthy birds. Young Senegals in particular can be “mouthy,” and if not controlled, will bite. Some birds get spooked easily and may shriek and flap their wings without triggers, leaving many new keepers unnerved and concerned. These characteristics may not make these parrots ideal for apartment living.
The Senegal parrot is intelligent and devoted to its family, but it needs stimulating toys, socialization, and time outside the cage. They don’t require cage mates but rather gentle handling and attentiveness to prevent challenging behaviors.
Senegal Parrots Thrive on a Varied Diet
To raise a healthy Senegal parrot, it will need more than regular seeds to thrive. These exotic parrots rely on a varied diet of seeds, fruit, and greens to meet their nutritional requirements. A mixture of seed and grain should be prepared, such as millet, sunflower seeds, and maize. These intelligent birds are known to pick their preferred seeds from their bowls, so keep sunflower seeds to a minimum because they’re high in fat. If birds consume a high-fat diet, it can lead to conditions such as atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of a heart attack.
Always supplement their food with fruit, including blueberries, grapes, pomegranates, and oranges. You can add vegetables such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, and green beans for fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Many keepers provide pelleted feed because it is nutritionally balanced and convenient to offer as a daily meal. If you choose pellets, you can still supplement with fruits and vegetables that should make up at least 20% of their staple diet.
These Parrots Need Ample Living Space
As the name suggests, Senegal parrots come from West Africa. They prefer dry grassland and savannahs where they spend time in surrounding trees.
To recreate their natural habitat and make them feel comfortable, you must provide ample space, perches, and toys. You can house an adult Senegal parrot in a minimum cage size of 20x20x30 inches. These dimensions are only recommended if you don’t plan on having your parrot in the cage for long periods. It is better to invest in a larger cage, offering space for the nine-inch parrot to spread its wings and move from one perch to another. Extra space is never a bad thing and can prevent stress rather than keeping your pet bird in cramped conditions.
There should be floor space to accommodate toys, and the cage must be easy to maintain. You can add a shallow dish for them to bathe in, which keeps their feathers clean. Water won’t strip natural and protective oils from their skin and feathers and is a necessary part of parrot hygiene.
Senegal Parrots Form Strong Relationships
Another important reason why Senegal parrots aren’t recommended for new bird keepers is because of their intense bonding tendencies. This may seem like a good attribute, but it can lead to aggression as they only bond with one person. Their possessive nature increases behavioral problems such as nipping other family members and even other pets if not properly managed.
Like most pet parrots, Senegal parrots can be extremely loving, but it takes time. You must be patient in building a bond with these birds through gentle handling, play, and attention. Only after you’ve gained a Senegal’s trust can its personality really shine through. Consider the long-term commitment of getting a Senegal parrot as they can reach the ripe old age of 30 years.
Senegal Parrots Are Generally Healthy Birds
When given a balanced diet and a suitable enclosure, Senegal parrots are healthy birds, but poor care can increase stress and susceptibility to avian diseases. The Senegal parrot is prone to contracting a fungal condition known as aspergillosis. To prevent this disease from affecting them, the cage must be kept clean, and they should receive a varied diet to boost their immune systems. Always remove excess moisture in the enclosure to prevent the development of mold.
Another problem stemming from depression, stress, and boredom is feather plucking. Senegals pull their feathers when they’re not interacted with or left in their cages for too long. They require at least two hours outside their enclosures daily to avoid issues such as feather plucking and squawking.
The Senegal parrot is exotic in appearance and devoted in personality, but they simply aren’t recommended for beginners. Without strict care, Senegals can become problematic for inexperienced owners to handle. There are other types of beautiful birds that beginners can enjoy without the high maintenance, including conures and cockatiels.
