Senegal Parrot

The Senegal Parrot is a small, stocky member of the African Poicephalus genus, easily recognized by its tricolored pattern. It has a grey head and upper breast, a bright green back, wings, and throat, and a lower belly patch that ranges from yellow to orange depending on the subspecies, forming a distinctive V-shaped 'vest' on the chest.

Appearance

• Grey head with a pale iris and dark grey bill
• Green mantle, wings, and upper breast
• Yellow, orange, or yellow-orange lower belly patch shaped like an inverted V
• Short, squared tail typical of Poicephalus parrots

Key field marks

• Grey head contrasting sharply with a green body
• Distinct V-shaped orange or yellow patch on the belly, unique among African parrots
• Compact, short-tailed silhouette and fast, direct flight

Similar species

Meyer's Parrot, another Poicephalus species sharing part of its range, is mostly brown and grey with blue-green underparts and yellow shoulder patches, lacking the Senegal Parrot's clean grey head and green back combination. No other West African parrot shows the same grey-green-yellow/orange tricolor pattern.

Range

Native to West Africa, from Mauritania and Senegal east through Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria to Chad and Cameroon.

Habitat

Inhabits open savanna woodland, gallery forest edges, and cultivated farmland, often near baobab and other large trees used for roosting and nesting; it is a non-migratory resident throughout its range.

Behavior

Senegal Parrots are usually seen in pairs or small flocks, gathering in larger numbers at communal roost trees, especially outside the breeding season.

Voice

Calls include high, shrill whistles and chattering notes, generally quieter and less raucous than many larger parrots.

Feeding

Forages in trees and on the ground for seeds, fruit, and blossoms, and is known to raid millet, maize, and sorghum fields, sometimes bringing it into conflict with farmers.

Nesting and breeding

Nests in natural tree hollows, often in baobabs or oil palms, laying a small clutch of eggs that the female incubates while the male provides food.