The Bird Zone. Exotic Birds, Lovingly Raised. Complete Supplies for your bird.

The Poicephalus species as a whole have an endearing quality. They have the potential to be very good, well socialized pet birds. They are not noisy and raucous nor do they scream for attention. Most are able to talk and some extremely well; some with hundred word vocabularies. For the most part they are affectionate and enjoy being cuddled and scratched. They are active birds and need a variety of toys for entertainment. They do extremely well in a one bird household. Some are very tolerant of small children, and even friendly and gentle around them.

Senegals (Poicephalus senegalus) are the most common of the species. Senegals as pets are very charming, endearing birds. Some can learn large vocabularies and be willing to be handled by anyone. Others will, even if coaxed, learn only a few words. They are very playful, needing a variety of toys and entertainment, but at the same time, they are not demanding. They find mischievous ways of getting into things, almost as if to get your attention. Senegals are very loyal, and they expect the same in return. If a Senegal is allowed to bond to a certain person, he may perceive any one else as a threat to his "intended". They can at this time become possessive and may bite their owner trying to drive them to security, or may bite the intruder, trying to drive them away.

The Meyer's parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) is the second most available of the species. Meyer's have been described as a shyer bird. They do not seem to be as athletic as some of the others, more to the easy going, roll-with-the- flow type of bird. Toys should be puzzle type toys, and things to work with and study. Meyer's seem to enjoy working on knots in rawhide for endless amounts of time, or trying to see why the little bell stays in the plastic cage. Meyer's are not the best talkers of the bunch, although some have been known to be outstanding. They seem better at sharing their person than the Senegals. Meyers work better with kids than do the Senegals.

The Red-Bellieds (Poicephalus rufiventris) are the third most common of the Poicephalus. They are happiest playing and acting silly. Red Bellieds are show-offs, and that includes in front of company. They are one of the only parrots that don't just clam up, and will talk in front of strangers. Red Bellieds can play with anything. They play sometimes just to get your attention, and playing dead is one of their favorite attention getters, as well as standing on their heads. They will do just about anything to get in on the activity.