Senegal Parrots

Although from the same continent the Senegal parrot doesn't quite have the same level of vocabulary skills or intelligence as the African Grey. What makes these particularly popular pets though is that they are very affectionate and playful, much more so than the African Grey.

If you want a parrot that is playful, likes to cuddle and get and receive plenty of attention then the Senegal is probably the parrot for you. They enjoy human company so much they are known to follow their owner around the home much like a pet dog.

While not the quitest parrot you will come across they certainly compare favourably with the larger parrot breeds if noise is an important factor for you. They are quite enough to have in an apartment or flat although if the walls are thin your senegal may be heard when he really does decide to let off steam.

One problem you should be aware of if you are bringing a Senegal parrot into a family home is that the female can bond very closely with one person and this causes them to become aggressive to other family members. The person she most bonds with will be the person doing the feeding, cleaning and giving the most time to her.

Families can prevent this happening by making sure everyone does their share of caring for the bird - easier said than done I know but if not this can be a real problem not easily corrected.

If it does happen then the person she has bonded with should keep out of the room and let others care for and interact with her for a while. If this is caught early enough the senegal parrot will learn to tolerate the whole family.

Of course its this trait that makes them such great birds for people wanting one for company and is usually my choice when someone asks for my recommendation of a parrot for company.

The Senegal parrot is a hardy bird and usually are quite healthy. They can live for around 30 years and more if looked after properly. Like most parrots a good balanced diet is essential.

Plenty of fresh fruits and veg will keep the vet away and they particularly like the bean mixes but don't leave this meal in the cage for more than a few hours as it can soon go rotten.

The parrot cage you buy for a Senegal should be big enough to let him spread and flap his wings. It should also be tall enough to allow him to climb up and down a few feet.

Because Senegals are so affectionate and playful they will want to be out of their cage so they can interact with you so cages with an external perch such as The Tower shown below are popular buys for Senegals.