Senegal Parrot

Quick Take

• This parrot uses a body part most birds barely use as a fully functioning third limb, which changes how they move through trees entirely. See the beak-as-limb fact →
• Like humans, Senegal parrots show a trait usually considered distinctly human, and this reveals something unexpected about their intelligence. Discover their foot preference →
• Despite its name, the Senegal parrot isn't really from Senegal alone, or at least not exclusively. Explore their full range →
• Senegal parrots live dramatically longer under one particular condition, and anyone considering one as a pet might be surprised by just how big the difference is. See wild vs. captive lifespan →

The Senegal parrot is a gregarious and playful bird of surprising intelligence that resides in West Africa. Its docile personality and colorful plumage make it very popular for adoption in the exotic pet trade. This is bolstered by the ease with which they can be trained to perform tricks and follow commands.

3 Amazing Senegal Parrot Facts

• The beak functions as a kind of third limb that enables them to climb nimbly in trees.
• Much like a person, the Senegal parrot can favor its left or right foot.
• Senegal parrots engage in mutual feeding and preening behavior to strengthen their social bonds.

Where to Find Them

Despite the name, the Senegal parrot is found in multiple countries throughout western Africa. It is particularly common in Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast, and, of course, Senegal itself. It prefers to live near woodlands and savannas.

Nests

The Senegal parrot nests in the holes of tall trees, especially oil palms.

Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name of the Senegal parrot is Poicephalus senegalus. The genus of Poicephalus, which means gray head in Greek, comprises 10 species of African parrots, including the Cape parrot and red-fronted parrot. Senegalus is obviously a Latin version of its native country, Senegal.

There are three recognized subspecies, which vary in the colors of their bellies and their location.

• Poicephalus senegalus senegalus — Bright yellow belly
• Poicephalus senegalus mesotypus — Bright orange belly
• Poicephalus senegalus versteri — Deep reddish-orange belly

Size, Appearance, and Behavior

These parrots can always be identified by their particular arrangement of bright, beautiful plumage. The dominant color on most of the body, including the wings and tail, is green. On the front of the chest, the green plumage forms a V shape with the yellow or orange plumage, which makes it look like the bird is wearing a vest. Also, like most members of its genus, this species has a gray head and beak.

The average member of this species measures about 9 inches with a wingspan of about 18 inches. There are very few consistent differences between the sexes to aid in identification. Females tend to have a smaller head and lower overall weight, and the V markings tend to extend farther down the stomach, but these differences are not always obvious or consistent.

The Senegal parrot is a social species that seems to get along well with other birds. They are sometimes seen alone, in pairs, or in flocks of 10 to 20 birds. While they do not migrate for the winter, they do travel from place to place in search of new foraging opportunities. These are very noisy birds that make high-pitched screeching and whistling sounds when alarmed.

Diet

These parrots are mostly herbivorous birds. They have sharp claws and a big beak to help them crack open seeds. Senegal parrots, like many parrots, have a limited field of binocular vision and often rely on head movements and monocular vision to inspect objects they are holding in their beak and claws.

What does the Senegal parrot eat?

The parrot consumes a large variety of fruits, seeds, and grains. The exact composition of their diet depends on their location and the time of the year. In captivity, they are fed a mixture of sunflower and safflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, soybeans, chickpeas, millet, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

These parrots are currently vulnerable to predation, habitat loss, poaching, and deliberate hunting. Many farmers consider the Senegal parrot to be a bit of a pest because it tends to steal their food. Poaching is less of a problem since most pet Senegal parrots are born and raised in captivity. Despite the threats they face in the wild, they are considered to be a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List.

What eats the Senegal parrot?

These parrots are preyed upon by raptors, snakes, monkeys, and big cats. The tree cover of their natural habitat offers them advantages over potential predators.

Reproduction, Young, and Molting

Very little is known about the reproductive habits of wild Senegal parrots, except that their annual mating season probably lasts between September and November. Like many parrots, this species probably forms long-term pair bonds with a single mate. In captivity, the female produces two to four eggs per clutch and then incubates them for about 25 to 28 days.

Born completely blind and helpless with white down, the chicks are dependent on their parents for almost everything. The father is responsible for guarding the nest and foraging for food, while the female is responsible for incubating the eggs and brooding the chicks. After the chicks have hatched, she, too, will begin foraging for food to feed the young.

The chicks will open their eyes about two to three weeks after hatching. Once their flight feathers have grown, they leave the nest at around nine weeks, but take another three weeks to become fully independent. They become sexually mature at two to four years of age but don’t actually reproduce until around three to five years of age. The average lifespan of these parrots is between 20 and 25 years, but they have been known to live around 40 years in captivity.

Population

There are no good population estimates for how many of these parrots survive in the wild, but the population appears to be stable.