Poicephalus meyeri ....................................................By Gideon Scheepers

Description

Mostly dark grey-brown and the rump and undersides blue-green. All mature Meyers will have yellow on the bend of the wing, under wing coverts and the thighs. The tail is brown; beak is dark grey with a sheen to it. The iris is orange-red. They are 22 cm in length.

 

 

Range and Habitat

The nominate race is predominately from Chad and the north-eastern Cameroon through northern Central African Republic to Southern Sudan. They are usually not far from the water. They will roost in tree hollows, and are usually seen in pairs or small groups when feeding on various berries and cultivated crops and fruit.
There is 4 other sub species of the Meyers parrots namely: P.m.matschiei, which has the rump a bright blue and undersides washed with blue. They are found in Kenya, Malawi Zambia and the DRC. P.m.saturatas, having the rump washed with light blue and are found in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Tanzania
P.m.reichenowi, without the distinctive yellow crown, is found in Angola, Namibia, and Lesotho. P.m.transvaalensis, which has the upper parts paler and is found in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and the old Transvaal in South Africa.

Housing in Aviculture

They can be housed in aviaries or suspendeds; we house ours in 60-cm X 60-cm X 1.2 m suspended aviaries with great success. We supply them with natural log nestboxes, 40 cm deep and 25 cm in diameter.

 

 

Breeding in Aviculture

These parrots were first bred about 50 years ago by the late Jack Rough in South Africa.They are fairly easy breeders once established. They will lay 3-5 and occasionally 5 eggs, incubation is 27 days, the hen starting to incubate from the second egg, laying intervals being 2 days apart. The hen incubates alone, but the male is always in the box with her. We take the chicks at 14 days to 21 days old and handrear them. They are easily feeders and usually present no problems when it comes to feeding, they are always eager to eat. My pairs breed mostly in the winter months, and seldom in summer.

Pet Quality

They make great pets and are not noisy, they are mid sized parrots and will learn to talk.. Their voice is a raspy one, and typical of Poicephalus parrots. The Meyer's is great for an apartment or for anyone who wants a quiet smaller bird with a lively personality! It makes a super family pet.

Mutations

I know of no mutations. If you know of any please contact me at info@thomasriver.co.za. a pic would be appreciated