Meyer's Parrot

Scientific name:Poicephalus meyeri

Description:      Meyer's Parrots are related to the more popular Senegal parrots, and I find them to be attractive and intelligent little birds. They are from central and eastern Africa.     There are several subspecies of Meyer's with varying degrees of yellow coloration on the crown and wings, with some types even having none. All have a grayish brown upper body with a bluish green chest, with green under-parts and blue on the topside of the rump. While these birds may appear drab at first glance, their colors upon closer inspection are astounding and beautiful, especially the chest and rump which have a lovely iridescence. Eyes in the mature birds are orange-red, with a grayish black beak. Length is just under 9 inches.

Housing:      Provide a roomy cage with the minimum dimensions of: 20" long x 12" deep x 18" high. The ideal size is: 40" long x 20" deep x 32" high. Preferably a cage with horizontal bars to make climbing easier. You can also attach a perch/play area on top of the cage. In the cage have about three perches of different diameters (or branches with some angling) without the sandpaper guards. A swing and mirror among other toys are available but be sure to leave enough room for flying! Food and water dishes, preferably automatic dispensing, or if not, ones with guards to prevent waste contamination. Clips to hold spray millet and fresh food. A bath house with a textured bottom is a favorite, or a slow running faucet will do. Provide a breeding box if breeding is what you have in mind.

"Draven" Photo courtesy: Shawna Ellis
"Draven is a rather quiet bird,
never screaming but finding other
ways in which to get treats and
attention. He is very clever!"
Shawna

Care and feeding:      In the wild the Meyer's parrot eats seeds, nuts, berries and fruit. For your pet, ready made staple seed mixes are usually available at your local pet store or super market which contain a mixture of canary grass seed, white millet, yellow millet, oats and groats and red millet, niger seed and linseed. Some higher quality seed mixtures come with thistle, anise, rape, sesame, and safflower seed. Vitamin pellets with iodine in them are sometimes present to prevent thyroid problems. Store seed in a dark but airy place. Not in plastic bags but in a clothes bag in a closet. Offer fresh foods such as eggplant, green peas, cucumber, young dandelion greens, sweet corn, beet greens, carrots, unsprayed lettuce, green peppers, sorrel, spinach leaves, tomatoes and zucchini. Fruits that are suitable are: Pineapples, apples, apricots, bananas, most other fruits.

Availability: Meyer's parrots are readily available and moderately expensive.