Senegal Parrots: Learn details on lifespan, pricing, size, and beyond

Senegal Parrots as Pets Lifespan, Price…

Welcome to our blog post for the day!

Today we’ll explore the joys and responsibilities of having the less known Senegal Parrots as pets and help you to figure out if its the right bird for you.

We’ll take a look at essential aspects, such as their lifespan, price considerations, size, and more, and shed light on what it’s really like to bring these charming birds into your home.

Whether you’re a prospective owner or simply curious about these feathered companions, we aim to provide you with practical insights in an easy, understable way.

Let’s dive into the world of Senegal Parrots and discover what makes them wonderful additions to your household.

Are Sennies Good Pets: Behavior, Personality

The African Senegal Parrot boasts a distinct personality and behavior that sets it apart from other parrots.

They are less noisy than most parrots, reserve for limited call at dawn and dusk, hence suitable parrots for apartment living.

Sennies can be affectionate, but often more independent than enthusiastic cuddlers. Around their favorite person thats when the active and comical side comes out with the bird often hanging up-side down (real acrobat🤾‍♀️️), rotating, and engaging in other goofy parrot behavior.

They will perch on your hand and hang out on your shoulder kissing you or preening your hair, but barely accept handling.

On the downside, sennies have a reputation for becoming “one person birds” that bond to one person and may refuse interaction with other member of your family, hence not the most excellent parrots for families.

They often dispaly jealousy and aggressive behavior around their cages and if their favorite person show attention to other birds, they may bite. A senegal parrot’s bite force might not be that of an African grey or cockatoo, but its enough to draw blood and hurts quite a bit, especially for toddlers.

The are also rare than many parrots as pets, and there is not much information on the species available. Sennies are also typically stubborn and prey on fear, and not the good parrot for beginner and would not recommend to budding owners.

Even as an experience bird owner be firm but gentle, and consistently train them to follow instruction because they can be quite challenging at times.

As with other parrots, sennies need plenty of toys and enrichment. They also need social interactions, but not as much as species, such as lovebird, conures, or even large macaws.

Senegal parrots are content on their own, without companions, if there are activities for them to engage in and your are able to spend at least 2 to 4 hours interacting with them daily.

However, whatever Sennies lack in neediness, they compensate in destruction. They love to chew and destory items, so plenty of chewable and shred toys are necessary to keep your house safe from their lovely claws and beaks.

Senegal parrots are not too needy and barely get lonely as long their is adequate social interaction for them. To that effect, they exhibit less severe behavirol issues, like self mutilation, but are often aggressive when jealous (as noted before).

These bird can also be very hormonal and hostile when mating or breeding or at puberty.

How Long Do Long Do Sennies Live as Pets

The African Senegal Parrot has an average lifespan of about 20 to 30 years in captivity. Both male and female Senegal Parrots generally have a similar lifespan, but individual lifespans can vary based on factors such as diet, living conditions, and overall health care.

Figuring out the age of a Senegal Parrot can be tricky. Unlike some birds or brighter species, like conures, they don’t exhibit significant external signs like changes in feather color as they age.

However, certain cues can offer hints!

Younger birds, usually under a year old, often display more hyperactive behavior. As they grow older, they tend to become calmer and more amenable to interaction.

During puberty, around 1 to 2 years of age, your Senegal Parrots may also experience increased aggression and can be nippy, a common behavior during this stage of development.

Observing the condition of a Senegal Parrot’s beak and feet will provide clues too. Younger birds typically have smoother beaks and less wear on their feet, while older ones may show signs of use and wear.

The oldest recorded Senegal Parrot lived to be over 40 years old, emphasizing the potential for a long and healthy life with proper care.

Regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, and a clean living environment contribute significantly to their well-being.

Sennie and other parrots are prone to health issues like respiratory infections, obesity, and nutritional deficiencies, which can affect their lifespan. Specific ailments may include issues like psittacosis, a respiratory disease, and fatty liver disease linked to obesity.

Additionally, insufficient intake of key nutrients like Vitamin A can lead to health complications and shoerter lifespans.

How Much Will It Cost to Own A Sennie

The cost of Senegal Parrots can vary based on factors such as location, breeder reputation, and the bird’s age. In the USA, Senegal Parrots typically range from $300 to $800, while in the UK, prices may vary from £200 to £600.

In Australia, they cost around AUD $500 to $1,000, and in Canada, prices may range from CAD $400 to $800. In Europe, costs can vary widely but are comparable to prices in the UK, give or take.

When considering where to acquire a Senegal Parrot, reputable breeders or adoption centers are recommended. Adopting from a rescue or shelter is a commendable option, providing a loving home to birds in need, if you are ok with getting an older bird.

As for care expenses, beyond the initial purchase cost, ongoing expenses include high-quality bird food, which can average around $20 to $40 per month. Cage, toys, and accessories approximately $100 to $200 initially and replacement toys as needed.

Regular veterinary check-ups will range from $50 to $100 per visit. Insurance costs vary but could be around $10 to $20 per month.

You also need to set aside some an emergency fund for unexpected veterinary expenses, ideally $500 to $1,000.

These estimates may vary based on location and individual circumstances, so research you current local rate for better budgeting.

Can A Senegal Parrot Talk

Most Senegal parrot will talk and mimic sounds around the house, but their speech is not clear, like that of Amazon parrot or African Greys. The words are often raspy and come-off like a tiny robot’s speech.

So, if a talking bird is your priority, perhaps a Senegal parrot is not the species for you.

Now, in case your Senegal parrot does talk, most start vocalizing from between 6 months and a year. However, it varies between individual birds. I’ve heard of a Sennie that started talking at between one and three months, and another one that’s nine year and has never said a word.

Senegal parrot do not have an extensive vocubularly either and most only learn less than five words and phrases, especially if you do not consider mimicking sounds as talking.

However, with consistent and extensive training, they can learn more words and even learn to speak in context.

To teach your Senegal parrot to talk, start early since younger birds are more receptive than older birds. Use simple, clear words and associating them with actions helps in the learning process.

Patience is key, as each parrot learns at its own pace, and positive reinforcement through treats or praise is an effective way to encourage learning.

Training sessions should occur in a quiet space to minimize distractions, and a consistent schedule will aid learning

Social interaction is vital, as these birds learn by observing and they will be more receptive if they’ve bonded with you.

Are Senegal Parrots Noisy, Loud— Sennie’s Sounds

Senegals are not the loudest parrots, but they vocalize quite a bit. They mostly chirp and squeak while going around their business. They may scream, but only a few times a day, and the yells rarely last more than a few minutes.

However, their decibel levels are quite something and can go through apartment walls, and if your doors and windows are open, they can reach down a hallway and even down the street, but as noted, the screams and contact calls are few and far between.

Compared to other medium-sized parrots, they are certainly less noisy than most (and more popular) species, particularly Sun and Jenday conures.

Sennies vocalizations are almost akin to cockatiels and green cheeks reserved for the contact call, hence more comparable species to Meyer’s parrots (another Poicephalus species) or Pionus species.

How Big Do Pet Senegal Parrots Get (Size)

Senegal parrots are medium-sized parrots that grow to about 9 to 11 inches (23 to 28 centimeters) in length from the head to the tip of the tail and an adult weight of between 120 to 170 grams (4.2 to 6 ounces).

In terms of sexual dimorphism, male and female Senegal parrots are generally similar in size and appearance, making it challenging to distinguish between the sexes based solely on external characteristics.

Determining the age of your Senegal parrot based on size alone is also challenging.

However, if you have a Senegal parrot younger than 3 or 4 years, they will likely have a smaller stature indicating a younger bird, but after 4 years, most will achieve their adult size and it is impossible to tell their age just from looking at them.

What Size Cage Do Senegal Parrots Require

Given a Senegal parrot’s size, the minimum cage size is around 24“W x 24“L x 24“H, though a larger cage is preferable, so I recommend you get a 24“W x 30“L x 36(+)“H, with a bar spacing of between 1/2” (0.5) to 3/4“ (0.75).

These dimesions are enough for Sennies and other Poicephalus species of the same size to turn around from the center and spread the wings without the tail, head or tips touching the cage or the parrot’s head getting stuck between the bars.

The cage should feature horizontal bars or perches to allow for horizontal movement, as Senegal parrots enjoy climbing and exploring.

Choose a cage with full height front opening doors and severel side, nest doors for easy cleaning because parrots, including sennies, are messy pets.

Opt for a cage made from bird-safe materials such as wrought iron or stainless steel.

Wrought iron is durable with a non-toxic powder-coated finish, while stainless steel offers longevity and easy maintenance.

Ensure the chosen material for your Sengal parrot is free from harmful substances like zinc or lead, and regularly inspect and promptly replace any damaged parts for the safety of your bird.

Go for reputable brands such as Prevue Hendryx, A&E Cage Company, Kings Cages, or other well-reviewed manufacturers that offer durable and safe cages.

If you are looking for a recommedation, I highly suggest this Prevue Wrought Iron Flight Cage with Stand F040 in Black.

The cage is spacious and durable, measuring 24“W x 30“L x 53“H, provides an optimal environment for your Senegal parrot to move freely, and even double up as flight cage.

Its crafted from wrought iron, which ensures both durability and security, with an appropriate bar spacing for the bird’s safety.

This cage is especially appropriate if you are away from home for several hours a day, leaving you Sennie busy with toys. It will also accomodate several types of perches.

The two front access doors are not full length but they are large enough, so cleaning should be easy.

You have 6 small side nest doors in case you want to reach items far from the main door and pull out grills and debris trays for easy cleaning.

Perhaps the only downside of this cage is it does not have a playtop for your Senegal parrots.

What is The Best Diet, Food for Senegal Parrots

Senegals, similar to other parrots, thrive on a diet comprising fresh fruits and veggies, a quality pellet mix, and occasional servings of seeds. I recommend preparing CHOP, which is a balanced mix of chopped-up fruits, veggies, grains, beans, sprouts, and more for your bird every day, instead of feeding them each of these foods seperately.

Aim for 60-70% high-quality pellets, 20-30% fresh fruits, and 10-20% vegetables. Supplement their diet with occasional treats, such as small pieces of nuts, seeds, or a bit of cooked egg, and meat foods, like lean beef, pork or chicken.

However, treats should not exceed 10% of their daily intake.

Establishing a feeding schedule is beneficial for consistency. Offer fresh food in the morning, ensuring it’s removed and replaced if uneaten within a few hours.

Provide a smaller evening meal to sustain your Sennie through the night.

Adjust quantities based on your bird’s appetite, but a general guideline is 3 tablespoons of Chop or 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of pellets with a similar volume of fresh fruits and vegetables daily.

Remember, never feed your Sennies (or any parrot) avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onions or high-sugar and salty foods. These items can be toxic to them and should be strictly excluded from their diet.

You also should never feed your Senegals, or any parrot, onions and other vegetables or herbs of that family, including leaks, chives, garlic and sharllots. They contain sulfoxides toxic to birds.

Rhurbarbs and seed or pits from fruits like, apples, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums, are also off-limites because they contain oxalic acid, which is also toxic to bird.

But bread, especially multi-grained and cooked rice, eggs, and meat (lean) is fine. Most berrie, including straberries are safe and perfect for Senegal parrots, and vegetables, especially cucumber, broccoli, and leafy greens.