Senegal Parrot
Description: It has the head and face blackish grey; lower breast, abdomen and under tail coverts are bright yellow, deepening to orange at the centre of the abdomen. The tail and primaries are dark brown washed with olive green. The upper parts, thighs and a shield-shaped breast band are bright grass green. The iris is yellow. Length: 24 cm (9½ in). Brightness of colouration is no indication of sex. Weight: about 115 g (4 oz).
Immature birds have the breast pale yellow and are of a duller shade of green; the head is more brown and washed with olive. The iris is black, changing gradually to grey, then to greyish yellow. The beak is blackish grey in adult birds and brownish grey tinged with pink in young ones.
Range/Habitat: The nominate race of the species is found from Senegal and Gambia to Guinea and southern Mali.
Open forest and savannah woodland are the main habitats of all races of Senegal Parrot. In some areas it is common; in others its numbers fluctuate according to the food available. It is observed singly, in pairs or small groups. Its flight, with full wing-beats, is said to be less swift than other Poicephalus. Favourite foods are figs and the seeds of various trees; it also eats buds, grain and fruits.
P. s. versteri
Description: It varies from the nominate race in having a red abdomen.
Range/Habitat: This race comes from the Ivory Coast and Ghana, ranging to western Nigeria.
P. s. mesotypus
Description: The green of the upper parts and breast is paler and extends further down than in the nominate race. The abdomen is orange.
Range/Habitat: This race occurs in eastern and north-eastern Nigeria, northern Cameroon and south-west Chad.
Aviculture: During the first part of the twentieth century the Senegal had a reputation as a pet par excellence, and of becoming exceptionally tame and learning to repeat a few words. Undoubtedly it is true that if one can obtain a young bird, it will make a delightful pet; however, wild birds caught as adults very seldom lose their fear of man and are suitable only as aviary birds. Like Greys, they will `growl' when approached. Even with young birds, taming may be a long process requiring much patience and understanding - but, once tamed, a Senegal makes an ideal pet. Maud Knobel, former secretary of the Avicultural Society, had a Senegal which was her constant companion during a long illness. It would lie on her neck while she was in bed, remaining there for as long as she chose.
Another famous aviculturist, E. J. Boosey, founder of Keston Foreign Bird Farm, also had a greatly cherished Senegal. He obtained it when it was very young and it lived for 21 years. He wrote (1956):
Polly was one of the tamest and sweetest things I have ever possessed. She would lie motionless on her back in my hand and would even allow me to put her head in my mouth.. . .
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