Advice on Poicephalus? Pretty please.

[Laura65177]

So I'm doing loads of research on parrots recently because I'm looking for a family new member.
I own an Alexandrine but I am looking on maybe getting a Senegal,
Cape Parrot, Red Billed or Meyers?
I'm not sure so I was looking for some advice here.


How well does your species of Poicephalus get along with other birds?

Main traits I'm looking for is;
-Gets along well with people and another medium sized parrot.
-Friendly, Cuddly preferable, so long as they aren't totally prone to being nippy.
-Can be independently amused, doesn't get too stressed (plucking prone)
-Not particularly noisy (I know all parrots have their moments).

I have two dogs, they can be noisy, but are pretty good with my current Companion parrot.
There is almost always someone in the home.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Alan]

I have a senegal. He meets all of that except gets along well with other birds. He hate me touching or even looking at the others. I started visiting him when he was a month old and I can do anything i want to with him. Now other people can mess with him at all. And if I have him out and someone comes in the room he will try his best to attack them. For small birds they sure think they are big. He will go up against my grey any day of the week. Meyers are more laid back. They can be fearful tho. You have to be careful with those little guys.

[Poicephalus girl]

How well does your species of Poicephalus get along with other birds?

It depends on each bird. My Pois get along reasonably well with each other and my Senegal is protective of my Lovebird but I have one Meyer's which will NOT get along with any of my other birds. She's beginning to tolerate them more, but she needs extra supervision when around my other birds. My mom's Senegal is not afraid of any of her bigger birds and will chase some of her cocktoos around (the ones that are scared of him).

Main traits I'm looking for is;
-Gets along well with people and another medium sized parrot.

Answered above.

-Friendly, Cuddly preferable, so long as they aren't totally prone to being nippy.

Pois aren't the cuddliest birds. Mine do have their moments, but are also quite independent. As for being nippy..I think whether a bird will nip or not has a lot to do with education. I have been the only owner of my Lovebird and Senegal and neither really nip or bite. They have not drawn blood from me. My other birds have all come from different homes and I have had to work with them on not using a bite as a first response to everything. My Red-bellied and my second Meyer's are much much better, not nipping nearly has often as they did before. Still working with my other Meyer's who has had a rough past.

-Can be independently amused, doesn't get too stressed (plucking prone)

I chose Pois because of their reputation of being independent and it has proven to be true; they are quite capable of enjoying playing on their own but also enjoy my presence. I have heard of some Pois being pluckers (I could count them on one hand) but they don't have a reputation of being prone to plucking.

-Not particularly noisy (I know all parrots have their moments).

My Lovebird, which I was told was quiet for a Lovebird, is more noisy than my other birds. My Meyer's have lately been a bit more vocal, but it isn't much, at least to me. Pois are capable of a high pitch scream that not everyone can tolerate.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

When it comes to choosing one Poi over another, I would say take the time to go and meet a couple. Babies AND adults. They share a lot of traits, but they each have a little something different that makes them different.

[Laura65177]

Great tips thankyou :)

I'm definitely taking my time in choosing a new parrot, and will meet several before any final decisions are made.

Senegals so far are sounding pretty good in general, I'd hope I could get a youngin' that can grow up used to knowing that there is another bird, and my bird can hopefully adjust too.

Cuddliness isn't really importent, my bird isn't cuddly but I still love him as if he my baby, I wouldn't love him anymore if he did want scratches.

Thanks again! :)

[Alan]

Isn't it amazing how different they are with each from each other. My sennie hates other people and birds, and I got him at a month old and then brought him home at 3 months. But he is certainly a cuddly little loveable baby. he will sit on my shoulder and talk to me for hours on end.

[bethn]

I have a male cape. He is very cudldly, loves scratches and sitting on us. He is a good sized bird, just slightly smaller than a CAG. He likes everyone in the family, me, my husband, and our 2 grown children who no longer live home. Somehow he knows they are part of his flock, and as soon as they walk in the door they are expected to sit and give scritches until he has decided it is time for more play.

He is much quieter than our TAG was, very verbal, but at a much lower decibel. My friends all say they miss the background noise when I am on the phone with them, everyone in the neighborhood could hear Gryph when he got going, Jazz has a constant stream of chat, just quieter.

If you are considering a Cape, and you have other birds, I might recommend a female over a male. I have read where when males reach maturity, they can become very difficult with other birds in the house. Females do not have this issue. Jazz is an only bird so shouldn't be a problem for us.

Jazz loves us to be part of his play, but he also plays very well by himself. we recently put up a huge jolly ball, and he will spend hours climbing in and out attacking the attached toys.

[Laura65177]

Originally Posted by bethn

If you are considering a Cape, and you have other birds, I might recommend a female over a male. I have read where when males reach maturity, they can become very difficult with other birds in the house. Females do not have this issue. Jazz is an only bird so shouldn't be a problem for us.

Jazz loves us to be part of his play, but he also plays very well by himself. we recently put up a huge jolly ball, and he will spend hours climbing in and out attacking the attached toys.

Hey thanks for the advice, Capes are at the top of my list too.
What is a 'Jolly Ball'?

My Alexandrine could do with a new toy =]