Meyer's Parrot

Meyer's Parrot, sometimes called the Brown Parrot, is a stocky, short-tailed member of the Poicephalus group widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa's woodland savannas. Its plumage is understated compared to many parrots: the head and body are largely brown to greyish-brown, offset by turquoise-blue underparts and rump, and variable yellow markings on the shoulders and crown depending on subspecies.

Appearance

• Brown to grey-brown head, back, and wings
• Turquoise-blue belly, thighs, and rump
• Yellow patches on the bend of the wing (carpal edge) and sometimes on the crown
• Stocky build with a short square tail typical of the genus

Key field marks

• Brownish-grey body plumage contrasting with bright turquoise underparts, visible in flight and at rest
• Small yellow patch at the shoulder/carpal edge of the wing
• Some subspecies show a yellow forehead or crown patch

Similar species

The Senegal Parrot has a clean grey head, green back, and a yellow-orange V on the belly, quite different from Meyer's Parrot's overall brown coloring and turquoise underside. Other Poicephalus species such as the Red-fronted Parrot show more extensive red on the face and shoulders.

Range

One of the most widely distributed African parrots, occurring from Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo east to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and south to Botswana and northern South Africa.

Habitat

Favors dry, open woodland including miombo and acacia savanna, often near rivers and in areas with baobab trees, and is generally non-migratory, though it may move locally in response to food and water availability.

Behavior

Typically seen alone, in pairs, or in small flocks; birds gather in larger numbers at fruiting trees and waterholes, and fly with quick, direct wingbeats.

Voice

Gives sharp, high-pitched whistles and screeching contact calls, often given in flight.

Feeding

Feeds on seeds, fruit, nuts, and flowers gathered in the canopy, and will also take cultivated grain when available near farmland.

Nesting and breeding

Nests in tree hollows, frequently reusing cavities in baobabs or other large trees; the female incubates the eggs while the male feeds her at the nest.