Smitten

[tdmsu]

I think I have been chosen by a Senegal.
I was at a local pet store visiting birds there, and this Senegal came right to the front of the cage and proceeded to rub his head. I took the invitation to rub his head and he(?) rolled over on his back in the cage and let me rub his belly!
I had researched parrots for a few months, and almost adopted a Nanday conure, but I had never interacted with a Senegal before. My wife and I are concerned about the cost, and the bird keeper said someone had alread placed a down payment on him, but that they had not heard from that customer in a long time.
I left my name and the store called me the next day saying that the guy took the money back and released the bird to be sold. I visited again.
When I approached, the Senegal was asleep, but he woke up (bell on the door) and came to the front of the cage when he saw me. The keeper let him out and he was doing step ups and layed on his back in my hand! I could not afford to take him home right then, and the store agreed to hold him until payday.

After all that, my question is: what should I have ready for him at home, besides the obvious cage, food, toys and patience?

Should I expect him to be shy for a while at home and leave him alone, or should I continue daily step ups?

I did not like any of the cages at the store, so I may buy one online... any recomendations? Is 20x20 ok?

Sorry for the long post, but I am excited!

[Cpip]

aw! senegals are deffinatley the BEST birds! theres not a day that goes buy where i think to myself " man i have the best, most cutest bird in the Whole World!!" Prices of senegals seem to be rising everywhere.. i guess there getting harder to raise. 20x20 would be ok for now.. but you would want to get something bigger eventually... mine is sooo playful! he also loves his foot toys. I have his toy box full of foot toys and he clears it out everyday. get him wiffle balls, etc. mine also loves his Boing.
\

[Tom Lawless]

I don't have a Senegal but I think they are a great bird. It is one I would definitely consider if I had more room. Congratulations and good luck. The best matches come about when the bird chooses his/her owner.

I don't know if others would agree with me but one of the considerations I would place on cage size is the amount of time the bird is in the cage during the day. I am fortunate in that I, for all intents and purposes, live where I work. Davey is out of his cage all day long on his play top and a small gym I have next to the cage. His cage isn't that big but because he is rarely in it, it is big enough. If I had to cage him all day I would want a bigger cage for him where I could hang more toys.

I don't know if this helps. It is just my take on it.

[lisark]

I just recently got a Hahn's Macaw and I had read online all kinds of precautions about "leave the bird alone so he can get used to his new cage," "don't hang too many toys because it might scare him" etc. Let me tell you, my Hahn's came home ready to rumble and I think if we had left him alone for a few days he would have gone stir crazy right away. He was affectionate and cuddly from the first moment I got him out of the little cat crate that he had traveled for hours and hours in and it was clear right away that it would be fine to handle him as much as we wanted because he wanted it, too. It was also clear that the jungle of toys I had hung in his cage were fine and dandy because he proceeded to clamber around and investigate everything with gusto.

Let the bird be your guide. Don't believe everything you read. If he looks worried then talk softly to him and sit beside him and don't push it. If he's like Rocky, well then, start letting him hang out with you immediately!! You'll be able to tell, no problem. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to read birdie body language, but it's easy. Don't stress too much about it. You'll know what to do.

Good luck with your Senegal, keep us posted on how things go! Congratulations!

[jimpierce7]

thats real similar to how Zoey stole my heart!!!

[Pepper's Pa]

tdmsu, thanks for sharing your story.
I was chosen by my Sennie, Pepper, and it’s been a great relationship and time ever since. You’re sure to have some ups and downs, but overall Sennies are great companion parrots.
In my opinion, a 20”x20” cage is too small for your consideration. Pepper is in a 30”x21” cage and he uses every inch of his cage. He climbs the sides, across the top and runs around on the grate. This is in addition to hanging from and playing with every toy in his cage. Make your cage as spacious as you can and give provide plenty of entertainment opportunities in it. Also, start early with providing foraging as a daily activity.
You may find some helpful information on Pepper’s Web Site that is linked on the bottom of this post.
I look forward to hearing more about your Sennie. Good luck.

[jimpierce7]

I always believed "bigger is better" too. Zoey was originally in an 18 x 18 x24 cage. Which she loved. It seems. I made a larger cage for her when Sophie came home as I didn't want her feeling left out. She didn't like it. She stayed in a corner and pretty much only moved out of it to eat. I moved her back into the original cage and she was back to swinging from the top and climbing all over it. Last fall I got her a 26 x 20 x 30. She is just now starting to, very slowly, use the space. I still haven't seen her swing upside down from the top. She used to do that all the time. I think she was more secure in the smaller cage.

[tdmsu]

I was able to buy a cage for Fidrych (his name), and he is living in it for a few days at the store. The cage is like the HQ scalloped top one, but with one metal tray in the bottom. The measurements are 34" x 19" x 26" ... plenty big enough for him.

I was initially worried about my wife taking to him, but she is as excited as I am. She went from afraid to touch him to holding him in the space of an hour as we visited him at the store!

Thanks again for all the advice, and I will keep everyone posted!

[brilliantfeathers]

Congrats, Sennies are wonderful! Though I dont have one, I do have a brown headed parrot (same family) and I love the little guy! If im feeling down or just want some snuggles, hes the first I go too! Hes such a sweetheart and if the opportunity ever arises I would love to add a sennie to my flock also!