African Parrots

Africa is the largest continent in which parrots are found but contains the smallest numbers of species and from only four genera. In terms of numbers kept by aviculturists, only the Lovebirds are numerous and these warrant a separate chapter. Of the remainder, the Grey Parrot, the only member of the genus Psittacus, has the distinction of being the best known of all parrots (except in Australia and New Zealand where it is almost un­known). All the other species discussed in this chapter belong to the genus Poicephalus. The African Ringneck Parrakeet is the only Psittacula found in Africa and, as its needs are exactly the same as those of the Indian Ring­neck, it is included in the chapter on Asiatic Parrakeets.

With the exception of the largest Poicephalus (the Cape Parrot), which is in certain aspects of voice and behaviour reminiscent of the Grey, in appearance Psittacus and Poicephalus are very different. The care and feeding of both genera are, however, the same.

Feeding African Parrots: All these birds should be of­fered sunflower seed, peanuts and pine nuts, also hemp in moderation. The Cape Parrot, unlike most parrots other than macaws, is capable of cracking walnuts; large nuts given to the other species must, of course, be cracked first. Jardines and Cape Parrots also enjoy cracking the stones of plums, cherries and peaches and removing the kernel to eat. Poicephalus and Greys like millet sprays and should also be offered the usual small seeds in loose form; however, the larger species may ignore these. Canary seed and white or panicum millet should be offered daily to small birds such as Senegal Parrots.

Many Greys are most reluctant to eat greenfood and fruit but one must persevere with them. This is especially true when birds are rearing young, when they may suddenly develop a taste for foods previously refused. A pair of Meyer's Parrots, for example, developed an insatiable appetite for peanuts. They were also provided with sprouting seed and bread and milk. Another pair took soaked oats, sweet apple, greenfood, peanuts and whole­wheat bread while rearing young. A varied diet of boiled potato and carrot, stale bread soaked in sweetened milk and spinach beet and apple were taken by one pair of Senegal Parrots with young. Similarly, a pair of Greys con­sumed a bucketful of greenfood, chick­weed and groundsel daily. All seed offered was soaked; safflower and hemp were favoured and sunflower, millet, wheat and oats were also eaten. Little interest was shown in apple or peanuts after the chicks hatched.

Meyers, Ruppells and Senegal:

Jardines, Cape and Grey:

Unless the birds are reasonably tame and many adults are not, generous aviaries 6 m (20 ft) long are not to be recommended, as the birds are less likely to become steady than when housed in a smaller aviary. Each pair should have an enclosure to itself and although a number of pairs will live together perfectly amicably out of the breeding season, they cannot be ex­pected to do so when they have eggs or young.