Senegal Parrot
General Description
| Common Name | Senegal Parrot (Sennie) |
| Latin Name | Poicephalus senegalus |
| Family | Psittacidae • African Parrots |
| Adult Size | 23 cm (9 in) |
| Weight | 120–170 g |
| Life Span | 25–30 years (up to 50 years reported in captivity) |
| Sexual Maturity | 3–4 years |
| Clutch Size | 2–4 eggs |
| Gender Difference | Not strongly sexually dimorphic. Subtle clues include: females often have a longer green “V” on the chest (extending lower) and slightly narrower head/beak; males may have brighter yellow undertail coverts. DNA testing is the most reliable method. |
| Natural Habitat | Open savanna woodlands, edges of forests, riverine areas, and cultivated lands with scattered trees (often baobab and locust bean). |
| Origin / Range | West Africa from southern Mauritania and Senegal east to Nigeria, Cameroon, and parts of Chad. |
| Care Level | Beginner to Intermediate • Playful, intelligent, and relatively quiet |
WEST AFRICAN FAVOURITE • PLAYFUL & CHARMING
Subspecies & Plumage
Three subspecies are recognised, differing primarily in the colour and intensity of the “vest” (the V-shaped patch on the lower breast and belly). All share a charcoal-grey head, green back and upper breast, yellow rump and underwing coverts, grey bill, and bright yellow irises in adults. The yellow-to-orange/red belly is the most noticeable variation.
• P. s. senegalus (Nominate)
Widely distributed in the western part of the range (Senegal, southern Mauritania, Mali, Guinea). Features a bright yellow vest, sometimes with a slight orange tinge in the centre. This is the most common subspecies in aviculture.
• P. s. versteri
Found from Ivory Coast and Ghana east to western Nigeria. Shows a deeper orange to reddish-orange vest. Often considered the most vibrantly coloured form.
• P. s. mesotypus
Occurs in Cameroon, Chad, and parts of Nigeria. Intermediate in colour, with an orange vest and sometimes paler overall green tones. The green “V” on the breast may extend further down in some individuals.
Key Plumage Notes: Juveniles are duller with greyish eyes that gradually turn yellow. The “vest” colour is the primary way to distinguish subspecies in captivity. All forms have a stocky build, short broad tail, and a charming V-shaped contrast between the green upper breast and the colourful lower belly. This species is gregarious in the wild and known for its whistling and chattering calls.