Meyers, Red Belly, Senegal... which one?

[bthomas]

Ok so I am just doing some research as I am thinking of adding another feathered baby to my flock... AND I have read all over the place that the Poicephalus family is one of the quietest, most calm natured of them all. I have so far read that Senegals are pretty quiet and good with entertaining themselves (both of which are good for me as i already have a sun conure so i dont need anything that can compete with her, and I go to school during the days so my new fid would have to entertain itself until i got home). I havent really been able to find much info on red bellies or meyers, except that red bellies are a little more clownish than sennies and meyers are pretty shy. I love the looks of all three of the species so that doesnt matter. BUt i really need help on deciding which one would be best for my home, if i even decide to add another baby to my family. I am also a little concerned with my sun, she is pretty protective of me (she will go to people that she know besides me, just as long as she has seen them before and they give her treats lol) but i am nervous that once i bring home a new baby, she will either hate me, or hate the new fid. Would it be better to get a male or a female? What is the likelyhood that my sun and a poi would even get along? They would always be supervised while out at the same time and would have separate cages, but in the same room. Any advice and suggestions would be great! THanks

[Geri]

I'm no expert, but I can offer some relevant recent experience. I will confess that I am partial to the Meyers as I now have one, and he is an absolute sweetheart. I wouldn't characterize him as shy at all. Also, my research suggests that the major difference between the Meyers and Senegal is that Senegals tend more toward bonding with a single person and Meyers are generally better at having relationships with multiple people. Both of the Meyers I am now familiar with seem to bear this out. They are really an extraordinary breed in many ways. It would seem that they used to be much more popular than they are today. Before there was widespread breeding in this country Meyers were among the most commonly imported wild parrots. I think this was mainly due to their abundance in the wild, but my brother who was in the pet trade during the 70s and 80s told me that with a little patience even wild Meyers could become quite pleasant, well adjusted and affectionate toward people. He told me that he sold dozens without issue. (It was news to me but my brother also said that it was (maybe still is) common for parrots to be returned to shops by dissatisfied customers. I guess it never would occur to me to treat a pet in this way.)

But I digress. Shortly after our 5 month old rescued Meyers came home with me a friend decided that she had to have one as well. Our little guy is now 7 months old and my friend has a 4 1/2 month old from a quality breeder in the area. My friend also has a 13 year old Maroon Bellied Conure. Over the last couple weeks or so we have been working to acquaint the three birds with each other as we trade vacation care and are now doing bird "play dates". As you might expect the two Meyers are getting along quite well. This past week I worked with them for a few days in my home and after some trepidation (mostly on my part) they are down right cuddly with each other.

Introducing each of the Meyers to the Conure has been much more of a challenge but I am optimistic. Both of the Meyers make friendly overtures to the Conure but he tends to be somewhat indifferent. or mildly annoyed. It certainly could be much worse. Under other circumstances if the Meyers have something the Conure wants, food or a toy, he just goes and takes it. In general the Meyers, more so mine than hers, just seem to let it go. This is sometimes rather interesting as the Conure is significantly smaller. Any of the three is capable of ratcheting up the interaction to a point where there is some aggressive lunging going on, particularly at the feet but we haven't let it go much beyond this. I've observed that the Meyers (perhaps because they are juveniles) don't seem to quite get the idea of retreat though they are learning. This was especially true of my little guy. At first he just seemed to believe that everything was a friendly approach. I think he is now learning some perspective. Nevertheless, we are nowhere near putting any combination of the three together unsupervised, but I do think it will become possible.

[bthomas]

WOW! Thanks for all of that info! After doing a lot more research, I have narrowed it down to red belly and meyers. I really want a bird that can bond to multiple people and I have heard that both species often do. I am still not 100% sure that I am going to be adding another bird to my flock but if I do it will be one of these species. I have found a young red belly for relatively cheap, considering what I have seen others go for, and I have been talking to the breeder. I havent been able to find any meyers for sale though, especially around my area, so I am thinking that I am going to have to have one shipped in but I havent been able to find any on the internet. THanks again for all of your info!