Senegal Parrot 597690 223291176 2008-07-03T12:38:21Z Snowmanradio 626138 ref {{Taxobox | name = Senegal Parrot | status = LC | image = Mohrenkopfpapagei1.jpg | image_width = 200px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Aves]] | ordo = [[Psittaciformes]] | familia = [[Psittacidae]] | tribus = [[Psittacini]] | genus = ''[[Poicephalus]]'' | species = '''''P. senegalus''''' | binomial = ''Poicephalus senegalus'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766 | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies | subdivision = ''P. s. senegalus''<br>''P. s. mesotypus''<br>''P. s. versteri'' }} [[Image:Senegal-parrot-montage-2.jpg|thumb|right|A pair of Senegal Parrots in the wild at Hann Park, Dakar, Senegal.]] The ''' Senegal Parrot ''' (''Poicephalus senegalus'') is a [[Poicephalus]] [[parrot]] which is a resident breeder across a wide range of west [[Africa]].<ref name="IUCN">{{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2006|id=47994|title=Poicephalus senegalus|downloaded=1 March 2007}}</ref><ref name="wingscc.com">{{cite web | url=http://www.wingscc.com/aps/senegal.htm | title=wingsscc.com - senegal parrot | accessdaymonth= 28 February | accessyear=2007 }}</ref> It makes [[bird migration|migrations]] within west Africa,<ref name="IUCN"/> according to the availability of the fruit, seeds and blossoms which make up its diet. It is considered a farm pest in Africa, often feeding on [[maize]] or [[millet]].<ref name="wingscc.com"/> It is popular in aviculture.<ref name = "DA 2003"/> ==Taxonomy== There are three subspecies.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> They do not differ in behaviour, but only in the colour of the "vest".<ref name="wingscc.com"/> In the pet trade, the nominate subspecies is the most common though all three are raised and sold as pets. * ''Poicephalus senegalus senegalus'' (the nominate subspecies): this subspecies has a yellow vest; its native range includes southern [[Mauritania]], southern [[Mali]] to [[Guinea]] and [[Lobos Island]].<ref name="wingscc.com"/> * ''Poicephalus senegalus mesotypus'': this subspecies has an orange vest; its range is from eastern and northeastern [[Nigeria]] and [[Cameroon]] into southwest [[Chad]].<ref name="wingscc.com"/> * ''Poicephalus senegalus versteri'': this subspecies has a deep-orange<ref name = "DA 2003"/>/red vest; its range is from the [[Côte d'Ivoire|Ivory Coast]] and [[Ghana]] east to western [[Nigeria]].<ref name="wingscc.com"/> ==Habitat== Senegal Parrots are birds of open woodland and [[savanna]].<ref name="IUCN"/><ref name="wingscc.com"/> It is a gregarious species, continuously chattering with a range of whistling and squawking calls. Senegal Parrots live an average of approximately 25-30 years in the wild, and have been known to live for 50 years in captivity. ==Description== Senegal Parrots are about 23 cm long, weigh about 125 to 170 gm.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> They have a relatively large head and beak for their overall size, and feathers form a short broad tail. Adults have a charcoal grey head, grey beak, bright yellow [[iris (anatomy)|iris]]es,<ref name="wingscc.com"/> green back and throat, and yellow underparts and rump. The yellow and green areas on a Senegal Parrot's front form a V-shape resembling a yellow vest worn over green. [[Juvenile (organism)|Juvenile]]s have dark grey, almost black, irises. Senegal Parrots are not [[sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]], but there are some [[Hypothesis|hypotheses]] which sometimes might help to determine the [[gender]] of adult birds: *The V-shape of the vest is usually longer in females; in females the green area extends down over the chest to between the legs, whereas in males the tip of the green area ends midway down the chest.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> *The female's beak and head are generally slightly smaller and narrower than the male's.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> *The under-tail covert feathers (short feathers under the base of the main tail feathers) are generally mostly yellow in the male and generally mostly green in the female.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> *Males are generally, but not always, larger and heavier than female birds.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> ==Reproduction== [[Image:Senegal Parrot -montage1.jpg|thumb|right|One parrot is feeding the other as part of bonding behaviour between a pair.]] Senegal parrots nest in holes in trees, often [[oil palm]]s, usually laying three to four white eggs.<ref name = "DA 2003">{{cite book |first = David| last = Alderton | title = The ultimate encyclopedia of caged and aviary birds | isbn = 184309164X |pages= p. 222| publisher = Hermes House |location = London, England | year = 2003}}</ref> The eggs are about 3cm long x 2.5cm wide. The eggs are incubated by the female, starting after the second egg has been laid, for about 27 to 28 days. Newly hatched chicks have a sparse white down and they do not open their eyes until about two to three weeks from hatching. They are dependent on the female for food and warmth who remains in the nest most of the time until about four weeks from hatching when the chicks have enough feathers for heat insulation. During this time the male brings food for the female and chicks, and guards the nest site. From about two to four weeks from hatching the female also begins to collect food for the chicks. The chicks fly out of the nest at about 9 weeks and they become independent from their parents at about 12 weeks from hatching.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> ==Conservation status== Because of its vast range in Africa, the wild Senegal Parrot population is difficult to estimate.<ref name="IUCN"/> Nevertheless, in 1981 concerns about extensive trapping of wild parrots for the pet trade lead to it being listed on appendix 2 of The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species ([[CITES]]), along with all parrot species.<ref name="IUCN"/> This has made the trade, import and export of all wild caught parrots illegal. ==Aviculture== ===Pets=== [[Image:Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus senegalus) perching on concrete perch.jpg|right|thumb|Pet in a cage with toys.]] Hand reared Senegal Parrots are one of the most popular parrots to be kept as pets,<ref name="IUCN"/> and the most popular [[Poicephalus]] parrot.<ref name = "DA 2003"/> Their calls are generally high pitched whistles and squawks, but they are not as noisy as many other parrot species.<ref name="IUCN"/> An indoor cage at least 4 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft or an outdoor aviary at least 6 ft x 6 ft 3 ft wide would be suitable.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> Wild caught Senegal Parrots do not usually become tame and do not make good pets.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> ===Breeding=== Senegal Parrots are relatively easy to breed in captivity and there is a small industry in breeding and hand rearing Senegal Parrots and other parrots for the pet trade. In aviculture Senegal Parrots can start to breed at the age of 3 to 4 years, but some do not breed until age 6 or 7 years.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> Senegal Parrot [[nest box]]es can be any of a variety of sizes and shapes; but for example, a nest box about 18 iches high and 8 inches to 10 inches square would be suitable.<ref name="wingscc.com"/> An exit and entrance port about 2.5 inches in diameter would be suitable, and the birds may enlarge the port by chewing the wood. Nest boxes generally have a secure side door for inspecting the nest. ==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Mohrenkopfpapagei.jpg|Pet perching on a rope. Image:Senegal parrot.jpg|Pet on the top of cage. Image:Senegal Parrot nestbox 26m07.JPG|Senegal Parrot nest box Image:Senegal egg 10s06.JPG|Senegal parrot egg (on 1cm grid) </gallery> ==References== {{reflist}} * * ''Birds of The Gambia'' by Barlow, Wacher and Disley, ISBN 1-873403-32-1 * Guide to the Senegal Parrot and its family. By M.S. Allan & D. Deter. Barron's. ISBN 0-7641-0332-6 [[Category:Poicephalus]] [[Category:Aviculture]] [[cs:Papoušek senegalský]] [[de:Mohrenkopfpapagei]] [[el:Παπαγάλος της Σενεγάλης]] [[es:Poicephalus senegalus]] [[fr:Perroquet youyou]] [[ko:세네갈앵무]] [[hu:Szenegálpapagáj]] [[nl:Bont boertje]] [[ru:Сенегальский длиннокрылый попугай]] [[fi:Senegalinkaija]] [[sv:Morhuvad papegoja]] [[tr:Senegal papağanı]]