Poicephalus meyeri
The Meyer's Parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) is a small, engaging African parrot, widely recognized for its subdued yet striking plumage and adaptable nature. Measuring 21-24 cm (8-9.5 inches) in length and weighing between 100-130 grams, it boasts a generally grey-brown body, often with a darker back and wings. Its most distinctive field marks are the bright yellow to greenish-yellow shoulder patches, which contrast beautifully with its body color. Head coloration varies significantly across its ...
Primarily found in dry savanna woodlands, thornbush, open woodlands, and riverine forests across sub-Saharan Africa, typically at elevations from sea level up to 2,200 meters.
Primarily granivorous, feeding on a wide variety of seeds, particularly those from acacia, mopane, and marula trees, supplemented with nuts, fruits (e.g., figs), flowers, nectar, and occasionally insect larvae, foraging acrobatically in trees and shrubs.
Meyer's Parrots are diurnal, with their most active foraging periods occurring in the early morning and late afternoon, often resting in shaded tree canopies during the hottest parts of the day. They are agile climbers, utilizing their strong beaks as a 'third foot' to navigate branches while sea...
The Meyer's Parrot is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, forming a broad belt from Chad and Sudan in the north, extending south through central Africa to northern Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and northeastern South Africa. This extensive range includes several distinct subspecies popul...
Least Concern
- Meyer's Parrot is the smallest of the Poicephalus genus, yet one of the most geographically widespread species within it. - In captivity, these hardy parrots have been known to live for over 30 years. - There are six recognized subspecies, each displaying subtle differences in plumage, particul...