The Senegal Parrot
Senegals are smart and entertaining friends
Senegal Parrots
The Senegal parrot is a small, intelligent, active, and clever parrot that will keep you entertained for hours!
Senegal parrots are part of the Poicephalus species that includes Jardine’s, Meyer’s, and Red-Bellied parrots. Senegals are the most popular pet out of this genus. They are very intelligent, but aren’t as mischievous as most other pet birds of this size.
Senegals make good family pets, but need to be socialized well with people or they may become a one-person bird. They are quiet enough to live in an apartment, but do need a somewhat experienced owner because they do go through a nippy stage when they are testing their boundaries with you.
Senegals love attention and many are said to be rather cuddly. Some Senegals are better talkers than others, but most are able to learn several words that are so much fun to hear with their tiny voices! They also enjoy chewing, so wooden toys, ladders, etc. are perfect for your Senegal.
Senegals love human interaction, but are also able to entertain themselves. So, spending at least an hour a day with them is good. The more time, the better, though!
If you’re looking for a bird that acts like a large parrot, but is in a compact, quieter package, then a Senegal might be the right bird for you!
Fast Facts
| Name | Senegal (Poicephalus senegalus) |
| Origin | West Africa |
| Size | 8-10 in. (20-25 cm) and 120-140 grams |
| Average Cost | $200-500 |
| Lifespan | 20-50 years |
| Noise | Low-Moderate – They are quiet enough for apartment living, and their talking voices are soft and gentle, so listen closely! |
| Qualities | Intelligent, not as mischievous or curious, great sense of humor, entertaining, good family pet, can become a one-person bird if not socialized well, go through a nippy stage, more likely to develop phobias, some are cuddly and affectionate, fair talkers, good at imitating sounds, enjoy chewing, good around children, loving, and playful. |
| Abilities | Good – Fair talkers, better at imitating sounds, can learn tricks. |
| Interaction/Time Requirements | Senegal parrots are a more independent species and can entertain themselves while you’re gone. However, they should be let out out of their for at least one hour a day for safe play and interaction with you. |
| Diet | They need a diet for medium birds and also love peanuts, so this can be good treat in moderation. |
| Supplies Needed | They need supplies for medium birds. |
Senegal Videos
“Senegal Parrot Talking and Singing”
Senegal parrots can be very good talkers. This video is a great example of a Senegal’s talking ability and possible vocabulary.
“Kili Senegal Parrot – Play Dead and other tricks”
This is a great video showcasing a trick-trained Senegal. They can learn so many tricks!
Senegal Training
Senegal parrots, like most medium-sized parrots, can be very nippy. You definitely need to know how to train your Senegal if you want him to be hand tamed and enjoy spending time with you and your friends/family. However, if you don’t know how to train a Senegal, you may have difficulty even getting your bird out of his cage.
For this reason, we highly recommend that you find an effective training program. Whether your parrot is new to your home or you’ve had him for years, a training program will always come in handy. We personally recommend the Bird Tricks Parrot Training Course by Dave and Jamieleigh Womach. You can see many of their videos for free to get an idea of how much they know about parrots and how they can help you train yours.
Below is one of Dave’s videos about stopping your parrot’s biting. This video is a great example of how effective the training courses can be and how they are filled with a wealth of useful information for any bird owner.
This video is only the first step in getting your bird hand tamed. We highly recommend checking out the BirdTricks Training Course for taming your parrot even further.
For more information about Dave and Jamieleigh’s courses, you can visit the Bird Tricks website HERE.
Poicephalus Education
To learn more about your pet Poicephalus, we recommend these books:
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Guide to the Senegal Parrot and Its Family | Prime | Add to Cart | |
 | The African Brown-Headed Parrot | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | Parrot Parenting: The Essential Care and Training Guide to +20 Parrot Species (Birdtalk) | Prime | Add to Cart | |
 | Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot (Barron's) | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart |
Poicephalus Gifts
Have a friend of family member who loves Poicephalus parrots? Gift them something that will truly spark joy!
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Me and My Senegal Parrot Journal | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | Senegal Parrot Soft Fleece Throw Blanket | Prime | Add to Cart | |
 | I Heart My Red-Bellied Parrot Canvas Tote Bag | Prime | Add to Cart | |
 | I Love My Meyer's Parrot T-Shirt | Prime | Add to Cart | |
 | Love Hurts Meyers Parrot Pullover Hoodie | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | Proud Jardine Parrot Mom: A Jardine Parrot Owner Notebook Journal | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | Jardine Parrot Coffee Mug | Prime | Add to Cart |
Related Articles:
- The Essential Senegal Supplies Checklist
- The 3 Must-Have Perches
- The Best Food For Your Senegal
- Find The Best Senegal Cage
- Toys Your Senegal Will Love
Have A Great Story About Your Senegal?
Share your experience with others! There’s no better way to learn about a pet bird than from an owner.
Some helpful information for potential owners can be: What is the sex of your bird? Is he/she friendly? Loving? Cuddly? Talented? Messy? Loud? You get the idea!
Your comment may just help someone decide whether or not this pet bird is for them.
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