Myers vs. Senegal

[PArRoT_CrAzy11]

Could someone please tell me the cons and pros of both. Thinking of purchasing one.

[danforth3]

They are very similar birds in the same family of birds Piocephalaus (mangled the spelling on that one). Good temperaments, my senegal, albeit a baby, is even tempered, loving, a little nippy, but she is working to control that, cuddly and energetic--not as energetic as my caique, but energetic. The Meyes that I have handled have also been similar. I recommend that you go to http://birdsnway.com and check their species resource library. They have a wealth of information on this family of birds and have a comparative article that should provide you with the information you need.

[dyeman]

My meyers is very quiet, very affectionate, will go to almost anyone, but prefers me over everyone else and will nip others occasionally but really very seldom.

I had a Senegal in the store last year that was somewhat larger than my Meyers, but in personality was virtually the same. Both have very soft voices when they talk.

Both were chewers, but not atheletic players if you know what I mean.

Great birds for someone that lives in an apartment and wants a parrot in my opinion. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Scott

[RickNCheri]

Hmmmm, I find Jessica as entertaining as anything. She is an ultimate acrobat. She would put some monkeys to shame swinging from one toy to the next, dangling by one foot upside down while trying to get everyones attention. From what I read in our book (Guide to the Senigal Parrot) Myers are very similar and are consitered the layed back member of the family. I haven't had any personal experience with them, however.

[Joel]

I agree with the others........Personally I have had many of each species and I definitely prefer the Meyers. The Senegals IME have more of an attitude problem as a rule but not in all cases.....I do have some for sale to good homes but don't ship.

Originally Posted by PArRoT_CrAzy11

Could someone please tell me the cons and pros of both. Thinking of purchasing one.

[melster122]

I don't know very much about Meyers but our Senegal Worple is absolutely delightful. He is a real real character and so much fun. I wouldn't be without him for anything.

[poi_lover]

I have a Meyer's and a Senegal. I think it all depends on the bird. My Senegal is more playful. You have to be actively engaged with him when you hold him. He loves to wrestle upside down. He also likes to jump off my shoulder while hanging onto my hair and says, "Wheeee". One of his favorite things is being swung upside down, back and forth, while holding his feet. When you are holding him you usually have to be playing with him or petting him. He does not seem to prefer my husband or I more. I can do anything to him and he never bites unless he is scared. He allows me to change food bowls, put my hands in his cage, etc. and is not territoral at all.

My Meyer's is not as playful, she would rather sit with you and preen or have you pet her. She has a tendency to be very sassy. She will let me hold her but is more bonded to my husband. She will try to test me when in my lap, by running at my hand and whacking me with her beak to see if I jump! My husband will hold her on his shoulder, but she is not allowed on mine because she has bit me pretty good while she was up there. Sometimes she will try to make a flying run up my arm to get there. I cannot put my hand in her cage and pick her up or pick her up off the boing or playstand, I use a perch. Although, I have been working on getting her off the playstand by offering a treat. That does work on occasion. My husband can pick her up out of the cage with no problem. I can change her food bowls, but not when she is right in front of them. The strange thing is, when we first got her, I was the favorite and then things changed when my husband started staying at home and spending more time with her.

What is strange to me is that I have heard that Senegals have a tendency to have a personality like my Meyer's. That's why I think it just depends on the bird.

They are both equally affectionate.

[Jong81]

Jake is EXTREMELY acrobatic, similar to what Donna described. He also likes to cuddle near bedtime or sometimes I can lay him on his back and rub his stomach or head for quite a while - he'll even start to fall asleep. I couldn't have asked for a better bird - but I have to say he picked me. He jumped on my hand at the Parrot Shop, so he knew what he was doing. I wasn't even going to buy a bird! Only thing is that he cries whenever I'm out of sight, but I think that will stop when he's older.