Jennifer - 2007-08-16 I have a senegal parrot named Hawkeye. She is about 17 years old but could be a little older then that. She is the most loveable thing ever! Takes showers with me, sleeps on me, goes on rides with me, she's like my little baby! She loves money and goes crazy over it, also my expensive hand bags and shoes. If i leave them out she'll chew them up, lol. She squawks like crazy when i come home and she gets too excited. Also when i leave without taking her too, she makes me kiss her before i leave. As soon as she sees the sunlight everyone has to wake up because she'll be our alarm clock. I had one accident with her were she flew away the day before the fourth of july. Had her outside in a cage ready to go for a ride and somehow she got loose. Searched all day for her and believe it or not i found her on the next day, the Fourth of July, by putting posters up. Someone called me and had her! i had to clip her wings after that. I felt bad but i love her so much and could'nt picture my life without her. She's the biggest sweetheart ever, my baby girl! Best pet i can ask for.
steve - 2007-03-27 I adopted Harley in June of 2004 due to my best friend and his wife having no time to spend with the bird. At first he did not like me one bit, being agressive and quiet. In October of 2004 me and my fiance moved out on our own and he's come along very much. Harley is still agressive with my fiance and anyone but myself, but everyone who comes in contact with him is warned ahead of time. For food he gets 3 to 5 baby carrots, and the food we get from the bulk section of a local grocer which has a variety of seeds, peanuts, and other varieties. His cage really hasn't changed since i've owned him but when someone is home, his cage is always open along with his ladder that touches the floor. He knows the microwave, sirens, telephone, says hi, says dadda, momma, harley, mickey, dances, paces when he wants me, and he hangs himself in the cage (either upside down, or in the corner) so we can pet him. He's an awesome pet but when he gets out of line, he gets a spray of water to let him know he's bad.
Someone Who Cares - 2006-02-03 I have had my Senegal Parrot for 5 months now (He will be 1 year old in 8 days!) and he is my life! Techo loves to play, dance to music, and nod his head at me (which I think means he wants to feed me :/). Although he doesn't talk yet, I'm not bothered! He prefers to whistle and cluck his tongue anyway! For anyone wanting a first parrot (Techo was my first :P) the Senegal is an ideal choice; they're funny, relatively quiet, and love to play! Remember that the choice will be for a lifetime though, and they need entertainment every day. Overall? Well worth it!
Rachelle - 2006-05-17 I acquired my senegal "Jo Jo" in 1998. he had been badly treated and was in such a sorry state, bless him. he had little feathers and was very scared and nervous, he wouldn't come near me and just screeched really loudly. After months and months of talking to him and coaxing him he eventually started coming closer to me in his cage. I always made sure that I was at his level so that he didn't feel threatened at all. I then started putting my finger near his cage and saying tickle, after many months he eventually let me tickle his head. And now years on he loves his mummy and trusts me...Years later he started whistling and started chattering away in his own language. His vocabulary is fantastic he says... Jo Jo's here, Mr Jo Jo, Jo Jo is beautiful, Jo Jo is silly, Hello, Hey baby, Hello darlin, Rachelle where's Andy (Andy is my husband) he shouts Andy if he is upstairs, tickle tickle, tick for short, what's up, what's this, who's this (when someone comes in the house), oh shi*, where's Rachelle. if you are eating and he wants some of what you are eating he says Jo Jo's, mmmmmm, impersonates the telephone, the smoke alarm, the burgular alarm, the list is endless. He loves you to whistle a song and he tries to join in. He is such a joy to have and great entertainment!!! He has a nice big house to live in but also enjoys coming out but only occasionally. He isn't too struck on men apart from Andy. He is definitely a mummy's boy. Saying boy i actually think he is a she! Just wish that I knew how old he/she is. But whatever I would never be without him...
Julia - 2006-11-18 I have a 5 year old Senegal named Eugene. I highly recommend these birds as a pet, my Eugene is very quite and only screams if someone makes a loud noise or smokes (A very reliable smoke detector). One slight downside is that he can be very cranky, if he wants to be left alone, LEAVE HIM ALONE, unless of course you don't mind bleeding and scarring. But when he wants attention, he weill be very affectionate even letting me turn him upside down and he stays in that position making kissing noises for some time. When he is in a mushy mood he likes to be very close to my face and puts one foot on my mouth and tries to feed me (if you are familiar with birds you will know what I mean). One thing about this breed more than other birds he can EAT. He has not met a food that he didn't like. His favorite is mashed potatoes and pasta. This bird can be very jealous though. I recently brought home a Greater Sulphur Creasted Cockatoo and Eugene hates him. If they are both out Eugene will chase after him and try to attack. It is kind of amusing to watch a small 8 ounce bird chase a very large 2 pound bird who is running away. Eugene is very brave and has even bitten a few dogs that were curious and just wanted to smell his cage.
This bird is very intelligent and has an excellent memory. One time he was left outside in the heat by someone who was birdsitting for me. My mother rescued him. Since then whenever he sees my mother he flies to her and lands on her head. He remembers his rescuer. Prior to her rescuing him he didn't like her at all because he remembers her as the lady with the scary vacuum cleaner from when he lived in her home. I absolutely love this bird so much and hope he lives a very long enjoyable life.
Brittney Walsh - 2005-10-16 When I was 15 years old, I adopted a Senegal from a local pet store. I had my eye on her from the very day she moved into the store, because she was so quiet and well behaved. Of course, at 15, it was a dream I never expected to achieve. I didn't have a thousand dollars even if I'd emptied my whole life's savings. But then my dad decided that he would give me the money if I would wait until I was 17 to get a car.
I never would have said no to an offer like that. I was completely in love with that bird; I just HAD to have her! I accepted the offer and my beautiful girl was home with me the very next day.
Now, it's six years later. My Senegal, Joey, has been my only baby all this time. She's my best friend. In fact, when she attached herself to my boyfriend, I trusted her judgement so well that I stayed with him through a difficult job change, and we ended up married!
I've had a lot of different pets in my life, but Joey is the only one who became like a daughter to me. She's so full of life and energy; and she's so cute! She's learned to say "Mama's girl!" and "MAMA!!" when she wants me. If I don't come fast enough, she mimics my mother's voice and yells "Britt!" instead. She's almost figured out "Daddy", but because I haven't been married very long, she hasn't had the time to learn that one fully. She loves when people speak baby talk to her, and she can't get through half an hour without a hug from someone.
I love my Senegal more than I've ever loved anybody else. I truly think that these birds are the best pets anyone could get, and I would recommend them to any person who has the time to dedicate to their bird.
Cindi Kirby - 2009-03-18 I have spoken about Emma, our parrot on your site previously - when we had just got her. Dr Jungle has her as a postcard pet. She is about 4 years old already! I think she is a HE, but nonetheless, the name Emma stuck! She is incredibly tame - which can be a problem! We leave her cage open at all times - just outside our back door. Our dogs are there too - and I prefer her to be near them, in case a stray cat comes to eat her! The dogs have a great relationship with her, but she DEFINITELY RULES THE ROOST! We are a family of 5, and no one else is allowed to pick her up! She bites them! But not immediately, which is always a problem, as they keep wanting to trust her, then she gives them a good bite! She has never ever bitten me. She wouldnt dare, because I am strict with her. I get very angry with her when she bites or tries to bite my kids and she gets taken back to her cage and closed in there for 20 mins. It doesnt help! She still bites everyone else! But some guests try their luck and she doesnt bite them - its never really a serious bite, but leaves a dent in the finger which is very painful for a child! She adores me. She waddles around the house looking for me - and she always gets attention this way, even if I take her back to her cage - as I am afraid of her messing the house, chewing the wood or cables of computers! She allows me to do absolutely anything with her! I look in her mouth, grab her tongue, she lies upsidedown in my hand. I grab her beak and shake it, as one would do with the muzzle of a dog. I cut her feathers, I rub her feet, I SMOTHER her with kisses and tickle her tummy and under her wings. In fact I am a bit rough with her and she LOVES it! She screams at the dog - ZIGGY, all day - and I dont know how she keeps on with it - because the dog never get screamed at by us! ;-). The dogs keep their distance from her - but if they are lying on a mat in our hallway and she walzes into the house, she walks within inches of them, and they dont budge! They DO keep their eye on her, though!She never ever bites them. Sometimes, I try to put her on Flash's back (she is a boxer), but she just flaps her wings and flies down. She adores any seeded bread and can destroy that for an hour, eating all the seeds. She also LOVES sweetcorn on the cob. She is very spoilt with food and is extremely greedy. She also loves to swim and splash in her water! Once we left her at home when we went away on holiday (with the dogs) and someone came in to feed them daily. I forgot to cut her wings before I left. She flew away - I think they tried to get her down from the roof with a broom, and it spooked her and she flew. She gets spooked VERY easily. She was gone for 4 days and we found her at the Veterninary CLinic. Someone WITH DOGS had brought her in. Thankfully! Unfortunately, she hates my husband and she stretches her neck out as far as possible, almost toppling off her cage to try and bite him as he goes past! He says we should let her grow her wings and fly away! Ha ha! She adores showing off in front of our friends and showing them all the things she can do - like lying on her back. I also pick her up by the scruff of her neck - like one would a kitten and she just hangs there - calm as anything! Everyone thinks thats the cutest! She just LOVES attention and would sleep with me at night if she could. Sometimes, when I rest on my bed of an afternoon - which is FAR away from her cage, she will walk the entire length of the house to come and find me - chattering and clicking all the kissing sounds all the way! Quite irreristable! Unfortunately, she DOES screech - and usually does it when I hang the washing right near her. I tell her to stop it immediately, - then she does some quiet little whistles and then hears a bird in the distance, and starts screeching again! I have battles with her all the time with this! If I start whistling or singing, she joins in and its the cutest sound. She mixes up all the notes, but gets 2 or 3 in a row right! Its really the cutest thing! She is also very funny the way she mimics us laughing! She ALWAYS mimics laughter and its a low giggle that she does, but quite amazing! She is actually extremely well behaved. Unfortunately, one of the negatives about having her outside and in an open cage, wild birds come and visit her and take her food. I am amazed that she doesnt chase THEM away! She just watches them. I think she quite likes the company! She is extremely good at immitating sounds! We live in SA, so we have an alarm system that turns on and off everytime we exit or enter our house - and she mimics the sounds it makes, as well as the squeak of the door and the clang of the gate. She doesnt say many words well - but she will try and mimic almost every SOUND we make! IF we click, she clicks, if we cough, she coughs, if we laugh, she laughs, if we bang, she bangs! Quite amazing. The tiring thing about her - is that she demands a LOT of attention! I read in one of the other comments, that the guy started leaving his parrot for LONGER in her cage - as she didnt like spending the entire day with him - I find the same with Emma - if I take her somewhere, she gets a bit tired and irritated and starts screeching, and then I know that she wants to go back to her place! They definitely DO try to communicate what they want! She also huffs up her feathers and RUNS at one of my daughters feet in the lounge! Hysterics! But one learns what to be careful of - and if you show her that you are scared - then she thinks you are submitting to her and she rules the roost even more!
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Allison Yarbrough - 2010-05-08 I think it's great how open you are with your Senegal but it does worry me that you leave her out to roam. You already lost her once! My mom and I hatched my Senegal 16 years ago and she is very precious. My mom has also been a parent of a female Senegal for 28 years. It seems that this breed is very partial to females and focuses on one parent. Sasha tolerates my mom only when I am not around (she hand fed her as a baby) but tries to bite her while I am in the picture. I do think it is wonderful how much freedom you give to Emma but you may want to keep your doors shut since you don't clip her wings. You don't want her flying away again and being eaten by some animal or starving to death. It's just not responsible as a pet owner.
lindy alvestad - 2011-01-06 I wonder if you are still lucky enough to still have this little bird. So many things accidental things can happen to small birds especially one that enjoys as much freedom as yours appears to have. If you still have this bird, I suggest you go to the "Bird-n-Way" sites for some education or there are excellent magazines out there such as "Bird Talk" and others that will help you enjoy your bird while keeping him/her safe for years to come. Good luck and good reading!
Richard - 2012-02-24 My Senegals name is Zoe. I've had her about 14 years. Overall she is healthy, alert, lovable and seems normally active. Recently, about the last 3 months, she has been picking her feathers and her front feathers now have thinned out and have turned mostly a pale yellow, possibly because she has picked them too much so they have not grown back.
The diet is a mix of pellets (Zupreme), sunflower seeds and mixed fruits and nuts. I have kept a real good eye on her weight which varies between 121 and 127 grams. She is a small bird and has always maintained that weight for years unless we board her if we are going to be gone for over 3 days. Then, she might drop down to 118.
My concern is the feather loss and loss of orange coloration. It is not to the point where I would call it alarming, but just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Thanks.
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Charlie Roche - 2012-02-24 Parrots this time of year pull out or shed their winter underfeathers (down) as expecting the weather to get warmer. They build up a winter coat of very fluffy white feathers, that you only see by petting their feathers backwards. After 14 years you probably know this as time of year all these little white feathers are flying around. You might need to spritz (bathe) your little guy more often and try with an aloe bird bath. I would try and add some additional nuts (crack a few walnuts) or almonds (vitamin A) or crackes with some almond butter or even a little peanut butter to add additional oil. The feather loss would result in the losing of the orange but I don't know if it is dry skin, molting or dry feathers that is causing the loss. Can't hurt to add a little more oil (via nuts) to his diet and more bathing.
Richard - 2012-02-25 Thanks. Zoe takes bathes regularly, has a pretty varied diet including lots of nuts and fruits and of course pellets. I buy bulk fruit mix at our grocery store and I think it's called cran-mix consisting of dried cranberries, pineapple, walnuts and a good variety of other nuts. I couldn't ask for a better pet companion. I just want to keep her as healthy as I can and sometimes I worry over things that are changes in her behavior.
Jack - 2012-02-15 My one year old senegal is the coolest bird I have ever met. She gives kisses, plays fetch, and loves getting her belly rubbed. I spent a lot of money on her, but it was worth every penny. She is my absolute best friend and I would recomend a senegal as an excellent addition to any bird-loving family. I cannot think of a single down-side to her that does not get outweighed by a positive.
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Charlie Roche - 2012-02-15 I think all parrots with great human companions make wonderful wonderful birds - cuz the owners are - great not birds.
Abraham H Rademeyer - 2012-02-14 I have a senegal parrot (Smartie) who is about 15 months old. I don't know if he is male or female. He was very close to me until recently when we had family staying with us. He suddenly started biting me and now he only seems to want my husband. He doesn't want me to touch him as he bites and draws blood. Please could anyone give me advise on how to get him to stop biting me and win his love back.
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Jack - 2012-02-15 My local bird guy and a lot of reaserch says as a correcting behavior as he bites, don't draw your hand back and quickly twitch your hand, as this will scare him and show that you are in charge. Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. My buddy has a Yellow Crowned Amazon and has a similar problem. I have a senegal myself and loves everyone except my brother. I really feel bad for you and hope your problem gets better.
Charlie Roche - 2012-02-15 Thought of something you might try. If you close your fist and then pull your hand down to form a 90 degree angle with your wrist - there isn't anything that Smartie can grab a hold of to bite. He can hit you with his beak but no skin to hold onto. You would talk nicely and just hold the back of your fisted hand up and possibly let him get the whatever out of his system. Make sure he can only get to the back of your hand that is stretched tight though. OK? Go slow - we want to make friends here - hopefully.
Charlie Roche - 2012-02-14 Something strange happened probably. Smartie now associates you with some scary thing that you hva eno idea what it is. Maybe a baby cried or a big noise or maybe he got scared of someone while on your shoulder. Let him have some space for just a few days - say 3 or 4. Then start giving him treats with your hand, piece of toast, cheerio, pine nut etc. Just do that until he is comfortable with that. Then while your hubby is not around - or in the same room - try talking to Smartie and making friends again. There is one other thing here though I must tell you. It is possible that Smartie - for whatever reason has chosen your husband as his MATE. Spring is coming and it is the mating time of year and possibly Smartie will not go back till her normal self till summer. Hormones and jealousy.
Senegal Parrots are known for their acrobatics, their mischievousness, and their passion!
I have a senegal parrot named Hawkeye. She is about 17 years old but could be a little older then that. She is the most loveable thing ever! Takes showers with me, sleeps on me, goes on rides with me, she's like my little baby! She loves money and goes crazy over it, also my expensive hand bags and shoes. If i leave them out she'll chew them up, lol. She squawks like crazy when i come home and she gets too excited. Also when i leave without taking her too, she makes me kiss her before i leave. As soon as she sees the sunlight everyone has to wake up because she'll be our alarm clock. I had one accident with her were she flew away the day before the fourth of july. Had her outside in a cage ready to go for a ride and somehow she got loose. Searched all day for her and believe it or not i found her on the next day, the Fourth of July, by putting posters up. Someone called me and had her! i had to clip her wings after that. I felt bad but i love her so much and could'nt picture my life without her. She's the biggest sweetheart ever, my baby girl! Best pet i can ask for.
I adopted Harley in June of 2004 due to my best friend and his wife having no time to spend with the bird. At first he did not like me one bit, being agressive and quiet. In October of 2004 me and my fiance moved out on our own and he's come along very much. Harley is still agressive with my fiance and anyone but myself, but everyone who comes in contact with him is warned ahead of time. For food he gets 3 to 5 baby carrots, and the food we get from the bulk section of a local grocer which has a variety of seeds, peanuts, and other varieties. His cage really hasn't changed since i've owned him but when someone is home, his cage is always open along with his ladder that touches the floor. He knows the microwave, sirens, telephone, says hi, says dadda, momma, harley, mickey, dances, paces when he wants me, and he hangs himself in the cage (either upside down, or in the corner) so we can pet him. He's an awesome pet but when he gets out of line, he gets a spray of water to let him know he's bad.
I have had my Senegal Parrot for 5 months now (He will be 1 year old in 8 days!) and he is my life! Techo loves to play, dance to music, and nod his head at me (which I think means he wants to feed me :/).
Although he doesn't talk yet, I'm not bothered! He prefers to whistle and cluck his tongue anyway!
For anyone wanting a first parrot (Techo was my first :P) the Senegal is an ideal choice; they're funny, relatively quiet, and love to play!
Remember that the choice will be for a lifetime though, and they need entertainment every day. Overall? Well worth it!
I acquired my senegal "Jo Jo" in 1998. he had been badly treated and was in such a sorry state, bless him. he had little feathers and was very scared and nervous, he wouldn't come near me and just screeched really loudly. After months and months of talking to him and coaxing him he eventually started coming closer to me in his cage. I always made sure that I was at his level so that he didn't feel threatened at all. I then started putting my finger near his cage and saying tickle, after many months he eventually let me tickle his head. And now years on he loves his mummy and trusts me...Years later he started whistling and started chattering away in his own language. His vocabulary is fantastic he says... Jo Jo's here, Mr Jo Jo, Jo Jo is beautiful, Jo Jo is silly, Hello, Hey baby, Hello darlin, Rachelle where's Andy (Andy is my husband) he shouts Andy if he is upstairs, tickle tickle, tick for short, what's up, what's this, who's this (when someone comes in the house), oh shi*, where's Rachelle. if you are eating and he wants some of what you are eating he says Jo Jo's, mmmmmm, impersonates the telephone, the smoke alarm, the burgular alarm, the list is endless. He loves you to whistle a song and he tries to join in. He is such a joy to have and great entertainment!!! He has a nice big house to live in but also enjoys coming out but only occasionally. He isn't too struck on men apart from Andy. He is definitely a mummy's boy. Saying boy i actually think he is a she! Just wish that I knew how old he/she is. But whatever I would never be without him...
I have a 5 year old Senegal named Eugene. I highly recommend these birds as a pet, my Eugene is very quite and only screams if someone makes a loud noise or smokes (A very reliable smoke detector). One slight downside is that he can be very cranky, if he wants to be left alone, LEAVE HIM ALONE, unless of course you don't mind bleeding and scarring. But when he wants attention, he weill be very affectionate even letting me turn him upside down and he stays in that position making kissing noises for some time. When he is in a mushy mood he likes to be very close to my face and puts one foot on my mouth and tries to feed me (if you are familiar with birds you will know what I mean). One thing about this breed more than other birds he can EAT. He has not met a food that he didn't like. His favorite is mashed potatoes and pasta. This bird can be very jealous though. I recently brought home a Greater Sulphur Creasted Cockatoo and Eugene hates him. If they are both out Eugene will chase after him and try to attack. It is kind of amusing to watch a small 8 ounce bird chase a very large 2 pound bird who is running away. Eugene is very brave and has even bitten a few dogs that were curious and just wanted to smell his cage.
This bird is very intelligent and has an excellent memory. One time he was left outside in the heat by someone who was birdsitting for me. My mother rescued him. Since then whenever he sees my mother he flies to her and lands on her head. He remembers his rescuer. Prior to her rescuing him he didn't like her at all because he remembers her as the lady with the scary vacuum cleaner from when he lived in her home. I absolutely love this bird so much and hope he lives a very long enjoyable life.
Sincerely,
Eugene's Mommy
When I was 15 years old, I adopted a Senegal from a local pet store. I had my eye on her from the very day she moved into the store, because she was so quiet and well behaved. Of course, at 15, it was a dream I never expected to achieve. I didn't have a thousand dollars even if I'd emptied my whole life's savings. But then my dad decided that he would give me the money if I would wait until I was 17 to get a car.
I never would have said no to an offer like that. I was completely in love with that bird; I just HAD to have her! I accepted the offer and my beautiful girl was home with me the very next day.
Now, it's six years later. My Senegal, Joey, has been my only baby all this time. She's my best friend. In fact, when she attached herself to my boyfriend, I trusted her judgement so well that I stayed with him through a difficult job change, and we ended up married!
I've had a lot of different pets in my life, but Joey is the only one who became like a daughter to me. She's so full of life and energy; and she's so cute! She's learned to say "Mama's girl!" and "MAMA!!" when she wants me. If I don't come fast enough, she mimics my mother's voice and yells "Britt!" instead. She's almost figured out "Daddy", but because I haven't been married very long, she hasn't had the time to learn that one fully. She loves when people speak baby talk to her, and she can't get through half an hour without a hug from someone.
I love my Senegal more than I've ever loved anybody else. I truly think that these birds are the best pets anyone could get, and I would recommend them to any person who has the time to dedicate to their bird.
I have spoken about Emma, our parrot on your site previously - when we had just got her. Dr Jungle has her as a postcard pet. She is about 4 years old already! I think she is a HE, but nonetheless, the name Emma stuck! She is incredibly tame - which can be a problem! We leave her cage open at all times - just outside our back door. Our dogs are there too - and I prefer her to be near them, in case a stray cat comes to eat her! The dogs have a great relationship with her, but she DEFINITELY RULES THE ROOST! We are a family of 5, and no one else is allowed to pick her up! She bites them! But not immediately, which is always a problem, as they keep wanting to trust her, then she gives them a good bite! She has never ever bitten me. She wouldnt dare, because I am strict with her. I get very angry with her when she bites or tries to bite my kids and she gets taken back to her cage and closed in there for 20 mins. It doesnt help! She still bites everyone else! But some guests try their luck and she doesnt bite them - its never really a serious bite, but leaves a dent in the finger which is very painful for a child! She adores me. She waddles around the house looking for me - and she always gets attention this way, even if I take her back to her cage - as I am afraid of her messing the house, chewing the wood or cables of computers! She allows me to do absolutely anything with her! I look in her mouth, grab her tongue, she lies upsidedown in my hand. I grab her beak and shake it, as one would do with the muzzle of a dog. I cut her feathers, I rub her feet, I SMOTHER her with kisses and tickle her tummy and under her wings. In fact I am a bit rough with her and she LOVES it! She screams at the dog - ZIGGY, all day - and I dont know how she keeps on with it - because the dog never get screamed at by us! ;-). The dogs keep their distance from her - but if they are lying on a mat in our hallway and she walzes into the house, she walks within inches of them, and they dont budge! They DO keep their eye on her, though!She never ever bites them. Sometimes, I try to put her on Flash's back (she is a boxer), but she just flaps her wings and flies down. She adores any seeded bread and can destroy that for an hour, eating all the seeds. She also LOVES sweetcorn on the cob. She is very spoilt with food and is extremely greedy. She also loves to swim and splash in her water! Once we left her at home when we went away on holiday (with the dogs) and someone came in to feed them daily. I forgot to cut her wings before I left. She flew away - I think they tried to get her down from the roof with a broom, and it spooked her and she flew. She gets spooked VERY easily. She was gone for 4 days and we found her at the Veterninary CLinic. Someone WITH DOGS had brought her in. Thankfully! Unfortunately, she hates my husband and she stretches her neck out as far as possible, almost toppling off her cage to try and bite him as he goes past! He says we should let her grow her wings and fly away! Ha ha! She adores showing off in front of our friends and showing them all the things she can do - like lying on her back. I also pick her up by the scruff of her neck - like one would a kitten and she just hangs there - calm as anything! Everyone thinks thats the cutest! She just LOVES attention and would sleep with me at night if she could. Sometimes, when I rest on my bed of an afternoon - which is FAR away from her cage, she will walk the entire length of the house to come and find me - chattering and clicking all the kissing sounds all the way! Quite irreristable! Unfortunately, she DOES screech - and usually does it when I hang the washing right near her. I tell her to stop it immediately, - then she does some quiet little whistles and then hears a bird in the distance, and starts screeching again! I have battles with her all the time with this! If I start whistling or singing, she joins in and its the cutest sound. She mixes up all the notes, but gets 2 or 3 in a row right! Its really the cutest thing! She is also very funny the way she mimics us laughing! She ALWAYS mimics laughter and its a low giggle that she does, but quite amazing! She is actually extremely well behaved. Unfortunately, one of the negatives about having her outside and in an open cage, wild birds come and visit her and take her food. I am amazed that she doesnt chase THEM away! She just watches them. I think she quite likes the company! She is extremely good at immitating sounds! We live in SA, so we have an alarm system that turns on and off everytime we exit or enter our house - and she mimics the sounds it makes, as well as the squeak of the door and the clang of the gate. She doesnt say many words well - but she will try and mimic almost every SOUND we make! IF we click, she clicks, if we cough, she coughs, if we laugh, she laughs, if we bang, she bangs! Quite amazing. The tiring thing about her - is that she demands a LOT of attention! I read in one of the other comments, that the guy started leaving his parrot for LONGER in her cage - as she didnt like spending the entire day with him - I find the same with Emma - if I take her somewhere, she gets a bit tired and irritated and starts screeching, and then I know that she wants to go back to her place! They definitely DO try to communicate what they want! She also huffs up her feathers and RUNS at one of my daughters feet in the lounge! Hysterics! But one learns what to be careful of - and if you show her that you are scared - then she thinks you are submitting to her and she rules the roost even more!
I think it's great how open you are with your Senegal but it does worry me that you leave her out to roam. You already lost her once! My mom and I hatched my Senegal 16 years ago and she is very precious. My mom has also been a parent of a female Senegal for 28 years. It seems that this breed is very partial to females and focuses on one parent. Sasha tolerates my mom only when I am not around (she hand fed her as a baby) but tries to bite her while I am in the picture. I do think it is wonderful how much freedom you give to Emma but you may want to keep your doors shut since you don't clip her wings. You don't want her flying away again and being eaten by some animal or starving to death. It's just not responsible as a pet owner.
I wonder if you are still lucky enough to still have this little bird. So many things accidental things can happen to small birds especially one that enjoys as much freedom as yours appears to have. If you still have this bird, I suggest you go to the "Bird-n-Way" sites for some education or there are excellent magazines out there such as "Bird Talk" and others that will help you enjoy your bird while keeping him/her safe for years to come. Good luck and good reading!
My Senegals name is Zoe. I've had her about 14 years. Overall she is healthy, alert, lovable and seems normally active. Recently, about the last 3 months, she has been picking her feathers and her front feathers now have thinned out and have turned mostly a pale yellow, possibly because she has picked them too much so they have not grown back.
The diet is a mix of pellets (Zupreme), sunflower seeds and mixed fruits and nuts. I have kept a real good eye on her weight which varies between 121 and 127 grams. She is a small bird and has always maintained that weight for years unless we board her if we are going to be gone for over 3 days. Then, she might drop down to 118.
My concern is the feather loss and loss of orange coloration. It is not to the point where I would call it alarming, but just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Thanks.
Parrots this time of year pull out or shed their winter underfeathers (down) as expecting the weather to get warmer. They build up a winter coat of very fluffy white feathers, that you only see by petting their feathers backwards. After 14 years you probably know this as time of year all these little white feathers are flying around. You might need to spritz (bathe) your little guy more often and try with an aloe bird bath. I would try and add some additional nuts (crack a few walnuts) or almonds (vitamin A) or crackes with some almond butter or even a little peanut butter to add additional oil. The feather loss would result in the losing of the orange but I don't know if it is dry skin, molting or dry feathers that is causing the loss. Can't hurt to add a little more oil (via nuts) to his diet and more bathing.
Thanks. Zoe takes bathes regularly, has a pretty varied diet including lots of nuts and fruits and of course pellets. I buy bulk fruit mix at our grocery store and I think it's called cran-mix consisting of dried cranberries, pineapple, walnuts and a good variety of other nuts. I couldn't ask for a better pet companion. I just want to keep her as healthy as I can and sometimes I worry over things that are changes in her behavior.
My one year old senegal is the coolest bird I have ever met. She gives kisses, plays fetch, and loves getting her belly rubbed. I spent a lot of money on her, but it was worth every penny. She is my absolute best friend and I would recomend a senegal as an excellent addition to any bird-loving family. I cannot think of a single down-side to her that does not get outweighed by a positive.
I think all parrots with great human companions make wonderful wonderful birds - cuz the owners are - great not birds.
I have a senegal parrot (Smartie) who is about 15 months old. I don't know if he is male or female. He was very close to me until recently when we had family staying with us. He suddenly started biting me and now he only seems to want my husband. He doesn't want me to touch him as he bites and draws blood. Please could anyone give me advise on how to get him to stop biting me and win his love back.
My local bird guy and a lot of reaserch says as a correcting behavior as he bites, don't draw your hand back and quickly twitch your hand, as this will scare him and show that you are in charge. Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. My buddy has a Yellow Crowned Amazon and has a similar problem. I have a senegal myself and loves everyone except my brother. I really feel bad for you and hope your problem gets better.
Thought of something you might try. If you close your fist and then pull your hand down to form a 90 degree angle with your wrist - there isn't anything that Smartie can grab a hold of to bite. He can hit you with his beak but no skin to hold onto. You would talk nicely and just hold the back of your fisted hand up and possibly let him get the whatever out of his system. Make sure he can only get to the back of your hand that is stretched tight though. OK? Go slow - we want to make friends here - hopefully.
Something strange happened probably. Smartie now associates you with some scary thing that you hva eno idea what it is. Maybe a baby cried or a big noise or maybe he got scared of someone while on your shoulder. Let him have some space for just a few days - say 3 or 4. Then start giving him treats with your hand, piece of toast, cheerio, pine nut etc. Just do that until he is comfortable with that. Then while your hubby is not around - or in the same room - try talking to Smartie and making friends again. There is one other thing here though I must tell you. It is possible that Smartie - for whatever reason has chosen your husband as his MATE. Spring is coming and it is the mating time of year and possibly Smartie will not go back till her normal self till summer. Hormones and jealousy.