Meyer's Parrot

Overview

Meyer's parrot (Poicephalus meyeri), also known as the brown parrot, is a species of parrot native to Africa. It comprises six subspecies that vary in home range, size, and plumage markings.

Identification

• Plumage features black feathers, a turquoise belly, and a blue rump.
• Bright yellow markings are present on the carpal joint of the wings, with most subspecies showing some yellow on the top of the head.
• Subspecies P. m. damarensis and P. m. reichenowi lack yellow markings on the head, while P. m. transvaalensis may have little to no yellow on the head.
• Belly and rump colours vary according to subspecies from turquoise to blue.

Habitat

Meyer's parrots inhabit plateau woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, occurring in miombo, savanna woodlands, wooded grasslands, and forests bordering watercourses or agricultural land. They are found in high densities in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana and across southern and central Africa.

Diet

Their wild diet consists of fruit, seeds, nuts, berries, and cultivated crops, with seeds from various leguminous trees being especially favoured as a staple food. They typically travel in pairs or small flocks but may gather in larger numbers where food is plentiful, wandering in search of food during drought years.

Did you know?

Meyer's parrots are able to learn dozens of words, which, along with their relatively quiet nature and small size, makes them popular in the pet trade.