Meyer’s Parrot General Info
These unusual and lovely looking parrots are a rare sight in the pet world. But owing to their beautiful looks, cuddly and docile personality, as well as small size, they are steadily gaining popularity. Like most African parrots, they can develop quite a vocabulary, and repeat words and sentences with surprising skill. So, if you’re looking for a friendly parrot that can be a cheerful and affectionate companion, Meyer’s parrot might be the best choice.
Meyer’s parrots are becoming more popular thanks to their charming and desirable traits.
Native Region/Natural Habitat
Their large native region is found in the central and southern part of the African continent. The largest populations are found in Botswana, but also in the neighboring countries like Zambia, Chad, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and others. Meyer’s Parrots live primarily in sub-tropical woodlands and savannas with sparse growth. Like several African parrots, they often nest in river basins and deltas, remaining close to freshwater sources. Their populations are large and thriving, covering an area of six million square kilometers.
Overall Description
Meyer’s Parrot is a small-sized pet bird. With adults reaching an average length of up to 8 inches (21 centimeters) and weighing around 5 ounces (150 grams), these petite birds definitely won’t get in your way. They’ll still want a plenty of space though, so ensure they have regular exercise and a big, spacious cage. The males and females are identical, so some surprises might happen if you own a pair.
Speech and Sounds
Meyer’s Parrot might be perfect for an apartment setting, due to its calm nature and low noise levels. Their natural calls are simple and cheerful, consisting of chirps and high pitched tweets. Keep in mind that they are quite capable talkers once they hear some words repeated often enough. They will repeat common words and some complex sentences with ease and in a surprisingly clear and realistic voice. Mimicking the common house sounds is a must for these parrots, so you can expect an occasional beep, alarm or a ringtone.
Colors
All the parrots in the Poicephalus family are unique and full of exotic patterns. Meyer’s Parrot is no exception to this rule, and his distinct appearance is bound to impress you. The head, back, and wings are black, with the belly being turquoise blue. Some light green tones can be seen on the wings. This look is completed with bright yellow patches on the forehead and shoulders. This distinct combination of exotic colors will surely impress you.
All the Poicephalus parrots share the tendency for exotic looks and unique, colorful patterns.
Care and Feeding
In the wild, these parrots thrive on a varied diet consisting of seeds, nuts, insects, fruit and even agricultural crops. This rich diet can be copied to your pet with a commercial seed mix that has all the necessary tidbits. You’ll want to add some vitamins though, and you can do that with fresh fruits and vegetables offered daily. Fresh drinking water should also be replaced twice daily, especially in the summer. With a stable diet and good care, your pet should build a hardy health base, thanks to the great adaptability of the Meyer’s Parrot.
Health and Common Conditions
The average lifespan of Meyer’s Parrot is around 20 years, but with good attention and a love-filled life, they can be your friend and companion for up to 35 years. That’s why you should always give your best to eliminate harmful conditions such as the draft, high and low temperatures and overall neglect. Provide enough room for exercise and free flight, regular baths and as much social interaction as your pet wants. With all these in check, you can rest easy and spend a lot of good years with your feathered friend.
If you’re looking for a loving little feathered companion that is easy to care for, then look no further than Meyer’s Parrot.
Personality & Behavior
A lot of owners praise Meyer’s Parrots for their calm and docile personality. When they aren’t cuddling or exploring the house, they will be satisfied to simply perch in their cage and play with their toys for a while. And if you add the low levels of noise, you come pretty close to the perfect pet parrot. They are still playful and energetic though and will love a bit of handling and fun with their owner.
Photo credit: Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock; Stacey Ann Alberts/Shutterstock; Viliers Steyn/Shutterstock
