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Meyer's Parrot

Brown Parrot

Family: Psittacidae"Max" a juvenile Meyer's ParrotPoicephalus meyeriPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Iain Simpson

  The Meyer's Parrot, or Brown Parrot, is a small parrot that is very attractive and entertaining!

   Among the African parrots, the Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri is definitely an attractive bird. When in flight it seems as if the sunshine reflects on all their colors. They look like various gemstones found in Africa. The light reflecting off their turquoise feathers will remind you of an exquisitely cut blue sapphire. This small parrot is also known as the Brown Parrot.

   The Meyers is a calm and even bird by nature and is an excellent choice for a family with children. These small parrots adapt well and are not intimidating. They enjoy all their humans and will maintain relationships with all the members of the family. These are sweet birds, not shy or timid, but curious. They tend to like all people, even strangers. Many birds say "you must love me" but the little Meyers says "I'll always love you."

   Meyers are pleasant be around, pretty to look at, and fun to watch. This is a "go with the flow" parrot that is easy to have and be around. They enjoy interactive and foraging toys, and like anything that is a puzzle. They are very playful and their antics will make you laugh. They can figure out how to dangle from anything and will hang upside down. They frequently lie upside down and play with their feet. If you give them a hand held toy they will use it as a juggler would use a ball. This is quite funny and being natural comics, they enjoy your laughter.

   The noises of the Meyer's Parrot are little, and that makes them a great apartment or condo bird. Their calls are musical and enjoyable to hear. It is said by many that their vocalizations are quite mesmerizing. Meyers do learn to say a few words and some have developed a pretty good vocabulary. They are expressive in their antics and their calls. So you will learn to understand their language, and there won't be a noise problem.

   The Meyer's Parrot enjoys the attention of its humans, but is quite content playing with his toys. Because they have a more independent nature, they don't require as much affection or attention as some of their African Counterparts. There is less mess, destruction, noise, and demand associated with having these comical small parrots, making them great for pets.

To learn more about parrot care, see:
Bird Care: How to Take Care of a Pet Bird

Geographic Distribution Poicephalus meyeri Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Scientific name

   Poicephalus meyeri

Distribution

   The Meyer's Parrot or Brown Parrot Poicephalus meyeri was first described by Cretzschmar in 1827. It is widely distributed throughout Central and East Africa. It inhabits most of the timbered country including the savannah woodlands. There are six subspecies of Meyer's:

• Subspecies: Poicephalus meyeri meyeri - Meyers Parrot
• Subspecies: Poicephalus meyeri reichenowi - Angola Brown Parrots
• Subspecies: Poicephalus meyeri damarensis - Damaraland Brown Parrots
• Subspecies: Poicephalus meyeri matchiei - East African Brown Parrots
• Subspecies: Poicephalus meyeri transvaalensis - South African Brown Parrots
• Subspecies: Poicephalus meyeri saturatus - Uganda Yellow-shouldered, Kenya Meyers

Status

   The Poicephalus meyeri is on the IUCN Red List for Endangered Species as Least Concern (LC).

Description

   The plumage of the Meyer's Parrot or Brown Parrot is mostly brownish-grey with yellow patches on the bend of the wings and thighs and depending on the subspecies also on the head. Their abdomen is green or a vivid blue or turquoise and the rump can be blue or turquoise. The upper side of the tail is brown and the underside is dark gray. Their feet are dark gray. The eye (periophthalmic) rings are black and the bill is black.

   This is a small and stocky African parrot, averaging 8 - 10 inches (21 - 25 cm) in length. Their wing length is about 5.5 to 6 inches (141 - 149 cm). They weigh about 3.5-4.7 ounces or 100-135g

   There are six 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.

   Unfortunately, captive birds are often impossible to classify as they are commonly interbred. One major reason being the unavailability of a true and unrelated species mate, as well as a lack of understanding of the different sub-species. In order to preserve the sub-species, it is hoped that breeders make an attempt at matching up same-species birds. Meyer's Parrot is related to another popular African Parrot, the Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalus.

Care and feeding

  In the wild the Meyer's parrot eats a variety of seeds, nuts, vegetation, and wild berries.  They have been known to destroy seed crops.

   For your pet, name brand staple seed mixes are available at your local pet store or super market. These 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. Pellet mixes are also available.  Store seed in a dark but airy place. Don't use plastic bags, cloth bags work better.

   Additionally, remember your Meyers can eat anything nutritious that you eat. 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.

   These little guys are prone to gain weight so leafy vegetables and fruit are very good for him. Additionally a little meat for protein and a cuttle bone for calcium should be used. Avocado and chocolate are considered toxic for birds and sugar and salt should be avoided.

   The Meyers enjoy their baths and whether you use the sprayer on the kitchen sink or a commercial bird bath, they should be bathed frequently. Otherwise their feathers will dry out and they will itch which can lead to feather destruction.

Housing

   Provide a roomy cage with the minimum dimensions of: 20" long x 20" deep x 24" high. The ideal size is: 40" long x 20" deep x 32" high. Preferably a cage with horizontal bars to make climbing easier. A cage with a play pen top is good for these little guys as they do enjoy independent play and their own territory. A perch hanging from the ceiling on top is also great added bonus for these fellows.

   Place two or three different diameter branches in their cage for perches. A concrete perch as the top perch in the cage will prevent their nails and beak from becoming overgrown. One problem with the Meyers is their beak does have a tendency to overgrow and a concrete perch that they can file their own beak on or chew on will eliminate that problem. A swing, foot toys as well as chewy wood toys should be provided to keep them entertained.

Maintenance

   The basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Weekly you should wash all the perches and dirty toys, and the floor should be washed about every other week. A total hosing down and disinfecting of an aviary should be done yearly, replacing anything that needs to be freshened, such as old dishes, toys and perches.

Social Behaviors

   In the wild, the Meyers Parrot is generally seen singly or in pairs although there are frequently in larger parties of 10 – 20 when food is plentiful. Being seen singly may account for their more independent nature in captivity. They entertain themselves quite well alone.

  Meyers Parrots like all humans and are a great family pet. Their little noises are considered soothing. They are not as dependent on their humans for entertainment as most parrots and therefore not as demanding.

Handling/Training

   You should give a new arrival a few days to get use to you, your voice and its cage before trying to handle it. A hand fed baby will not need much taming and can often be handled right away, but be patient and go slow. Allow them to hear your voice, get the scent of you.

   Remember that taming and training a bird takes patience, never 'punish' your pet! This only serves to destroy the trust you've spent so much time building. For more information on training your parrot, see Parrots: Handling/Training.

Activities

   The Meyers is quite content to play with his toys. They love handheld toys, except they will usually lie on their backs and play with them with their feet. They love hanging, swinging and climbing. They need wooden toys to chew on and welcome new things to play with.

Sexing - Sexual Differences

   Females look like males, and if gender identification is important (for example for breeding birds) DNA / Feather or surgical sexing is recommended.

Breeding/Reproduction

   In the wild breeding takes place toward the end of the rainy season which occurs in the fall in Africa. Meyer's Parrots nest in a hollow tree at a considerable height from the ground. The clutch comprises two or three eggs, each being laid at two day intervals. Both parents will incubate the eggs with only one leaving the nest at a time for food. The chicks will fledge approximately nine weeks after hatching.

   Meyer's Parrots are ready to breed when they are about 3 to 4 years old and breed quite readily in captivity. Breeding season in the United States starts around March and goes through June. If they are to be bred in captivity they should be provided a spacious aviary with non-toxic leafy branches for perching and entertaining. Chewing these branches will minimize boredom and give the birds some beak exercise. There is no reason not to put toys in their aviary.

   Some breeders have reported success with a nest box of the following dimensions: 18 inches high and 8 to 10 inches square. If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes placed in various locations within the aviary will allow the parents to make their own choice. Suitable nest-box litter would be decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings, peat mixture, or other suitable materials.

Potential Problems

   A Meyer's Parrot that is well cared for will seldom become ill. Though it is often difficult to determine illness, some visible signs of illness to be aware of are:

• ruffled plumage
• listlessness
• drooping wings
• sagging body
• extreme mood changes
• having no appetite
• bulges in feathering
• partially closed or watery eyes
• swelling of the eyelids
• rasping
• difficulty breathing
• excessive saliva
• dirty vent
• any change in the feces not apparently diet related.

   Some of the more common illnesses are:

• Psittacosis (chlamydiosis or parrot fever)
• bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
• feather picking (results of boredom, poor diet, sexual frustration, lack of bathing)
• allergies
• chewing flight and tail feathers by juveniles
• beak malformations in chicks
• Papillomas
• kidney disease (gout)
• toxicity
• heavy metal poisoning
• lipomas in older birds.

   If you notice any of this bird illnesses in your Meyers, immediately provide a warm, draft free, secure environment kept at about 86°F (30°C). Place food and water close to the perch where it is easily accessible. An ailing parrot should be taken to a avian veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Availability

   The Meyer's Parrots easily bred in captivity and they are readily available. They are moderately expensive, probably because of their wonderful nature.

References

• Animal-World References: Pet Birds - Exotic Birds
• Meyer's Parrots, Avian Web
• Meyer's Parrot, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
• Joseph M. Forshaw, Parrots of the World, T.F.H. Publications, Inc. 1977.
• Arthur Freud, All About The Parrots, Howell Book House, 1986.

Author: Clarice Brough CAS, Cheryl Galloway

Lastest Comments on Meyer's Parrot View all 40 comments on Meyer's Parrot Add Your Comment

boysfather - 2012-05-19 I have ten birds were caught in the Savannah. Now I do not know what to do with them. Is it possible to breed, and what is the best to deal with them? Charlie Roche - 2012-05-19 WOW couple of questions? Meyers Parrots? Do you want to breed/keep them? If you want to breed them, then you need to DNA sex them - also watching them to see if they have a preference or possibly already picked a mate. Then set them up in flight cages with nest boxes. Reply

Martha - 2009-08-28 Hello, Thank You for sharing pictures and information about precious. We have a Meyer's Parrot, named Luki. My husbands baby. He loves him, as for me, well I was good for cleaning the cage getting him water and letting him play in it. but for some reason he has put the fear in me, after he bit my neck and pulled my hair. I have a couple of questions. Can these little guys get sun stroke? What kind of branch is good for his feet? What is good for him to chew on? He wants to chew my table and my hutch, when I said no! He became extremely angry and fluffed up his feathers, spread his wings and walked like he was ready for a fight. If anyone could help me here, I would really appreciate it. Thank You Martha JAZMINE - 2011-11-23 THAT'S A GOOD STORY MARTHA I HAVE A MAYER PARROT TO BUT HE IS A BOT AND HE IS 3. MY PARROT IS NOT A FIGHTING ONE I JUST GIVE HIM LOVE . ma jan - 2012-01-02 We also have a Meyers Parrot, Buddy, he was adopted and put into my care. He's quirky too. He loves me but it has taken him 6 yrs to like my husband that was after many gifts of seed fresh fruit and fresh wood to chew and play with. I have found interacting with him verbally in the cage or out helped a lot. He does use a language of sorts us so I use my poor version of it to respond to him. It's a limited conversation but it pleases him. Buddy will bite those he doesn't want to be around at the moment. Also when he is not greeted slowly. His version of a Knock on door before entering or being familiar. A gentle one finger soft stroking on his head with soft talking before he will usually do the trick. He will pull hair when he feels ignored, and attention getter. We all have been seriously bit a time or two. Meyers are definitely Cocks of the Walk when they feel offended or disciplined. Yes they can get sun stroke. Keep them in locations that have half shade and half morning sun with a good view of the world around home for them. We have a smaller outdoor transport cage for suspending in our maple tree. He loves warm spring and summer days while we are outside working. He also has great mimicry ability. Ours does a great Blue amazon and a grey cockatiel (previous owners), my personal favorites is meowing like my cats and imitating my call for the cats also imitating the starlings, sparrows and the mocking birds outdoors. My advise - love the stinker as he is and get a nice 12 - 15 inch cleaned apple or maple stick to let him mount till he wants to get close to you. It will protect your hand and give you a moment to get him safely put in his home. Good luck and have fun. Reply

JAZMINE - 2011-11-23 I love my meyer parrot he is just plan funny when i got him he never got along with the other birds but now he does wierd my parrot loves justin bieber songs he gets fluffy a lot and he loves dancing gotta love dancing also he only loves me nobody else but me Charlie Roche - 2011-11-24 Parrots love music and I don't know how but they keep perfect beat. Love to watch them dance. Reply

Kevin - 2011-12-04 My Meyer's loves to come out of his cage, but when I try to put him back in he bites, sometimes hard enough to draw blood. Any suggestions? Charlie Roche - 2011-12-05 Another though. Is the cage and cage door too small for your little guy? Is there enough room for him to spread and flap his wings? Toys? Some of these safe places have really small opening and birds are 'afriad' more than they are being feisty. Charlie Roche - 2011-12-05 I am not trying to be funny. Easy solution is birds really only bite with the bottom part of their beak. The top part stays in place and used for climbing. Parrots bite with the bottom. If you just hold the bottom beak up against the top beak your parrot will not be able to bite. Sounds funny but true. I would yell a strong 'NO' or 'NO HURT' also. Sometimes parrots can be really difficult when they don't want to go back to their safe place. You can also try and place a treat in the cage for him but keep the bottom beak inplace while you do it. Reply

Tyler - 2012-04-28 Hi! I know the last comments here are from a long time ago but....I have meyers parrot and she/he has been masturbating all the time. It's really gross. What can I do to stop it? Charlie Roche - 2012-04-29 If that is what he is doig seems odd but try letting him out to play and more activity and attention. Reply

Norman Moss - 2012-04-04 Can anyone please tell me the best seed mixture for my Meyers. I have tried Parrot mix but he sorts out what he wants and the rest goes to the bottom of the cage. Charlie Roche - 2012-04-04 Some seed mixes are much better than others. But regardless of the one you purchase, your little guy will like certain seeds or items better than others and the rest will be on the floor - floor of the cage or the floor itself. I have had many birds over a bunch of years and love them all and for the past 15 - 20 years have always used Goldenfeast as my seed. Most of the better quality parrot stores carry this mix but you can email or call Goldenfeast to find the location or place to order for yourself. If you read the ingredients in Goldenfeast mixes and the ingredients in the mixes you normally see on pet chain shelves, you will be amazed. Yes your little guy will still throw some stuff on the floor but not nearly as much. Many manufacturers use cheap seed that birds don't like or that isn't very nutricious to weight the bag so you get less for your money. Look at the menus and contents and I think you will see a drastic difference. They also have pellets - Granobles. Goldenfeast Reply

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