Adopting a 12-15yo Senegal

[RainbowRose]

I am going to be adopting a Senegal in about a month and a half. My friend's mother was told by her doctor that she can not have the bird anymore because of her health conditions. They said they instantly thought of me to rehome the bird to. I thought about it for a month and they know I'm a bird freak so I have agreed to adopt. Age is somewhere from 12-15 years I am told. The mother will know more info.

I would like info on Senegals and advice on adopting a bird be rehomed I'm going to visit the bird multiple times before just immediately moving it of course. But yea any suggestions or info?

 

[RavensGryf]

Congratulations! I'm excited for you Another person in the Poi club yay! Now if this bird is hand fed and used to being handled, he might be just the type of little guy you've been looking for. Poicephalus parrots are super cute. My two which are close cousins of Senegals, Red Bellied and Ruppell's, are my little cuddlies .

They (especially Griffin because he's young) are pretty nippy. Many Poi's including Sennies are naturally nippy. Griffin knows the word 'gentle' and will 'usually' stop beaking immediately when I say it, unless he's in hyper overstimulated mode, then he's a little snapping turtle so I have to set him down til he calms down. I meant to teach him literally to be gentle when I say the word "gentle", but he interprets the word as meaning to stop doing it altogether which is fine with me .

Have you had a parrot with a beak larger than a Kakariki before? These little guys have a body about like a sun conure, but an oversized head and a very strong beak. Especially the males. Even well trained Poi's 'can be' quicker to bite than many species. A bite from a mature Senegal especially males during breeding season (winter in the US) can be vicious and very painful, and they hang on and don't let go!

Why am I telling you all this when it sounds negative? I just want you to be aware and prepared . It didn't stop me from getting 2 Sennie relatives (same attitude as a Senegal). In fact, I think the positive traits of Poi's far outweigh the negative!

They are the only parrot genus I can think of that can be BOTH extremely independent AND be super cuddly. They're easy going about hanging out... they aren't going to demand your attention or scream incessantly for you.

That brings up another great thing... They're QUIET parrots! You may hear a high "whistle" that some people say is loud or piercing, but it's nothing compared to what most parrot species can do. They don't squawk, they have whistles, peeps, chirps, and a variety of cute little noises. Many are also talented mimicks and talkers.

Oh, and I LOVE Senegals striking yellow eyes! Please keep us posted.

 

[SennieSlave]

Ah, the famous Senegal bite. Mine is like a can opener with wings and has removed many chunks of me. I have permanent scars on my arms, belly, hands etc ... and he's even bitten through my lip and removed the tip of my nose. You wouldn't believe that I'm his chosen one and that he loves me.

Unlike Ravens experience though, my 11 year old male Sennie is LOUD. He screams (and it is definitely a scream, not a whistle) just for the sake of it - all day. Mine is not a noisy house, apart from him. Doesn't matter whether he's out of his cage, in his cage, having all my attention, being left to play with his toys himself, being fed, being played with, having cuddles, being sung to, going to bed (for hours on end) .......... he screams and it drives me crazy.

He even went to parrot rehab and I was told he was the loudest there - louder than all the big parrots. Maybe he just likes the sound of his own voice. Rehab said he wouldn't change, with any amount of training - I said I know, I've tried everything. The vet says it's just his personality and that he has a sense of entitlement (probably my fault, as he has been spoilt). Has me in tears some days (literally). I've had him for 11 years, since he was a baby and, apart from the first year, he has been a complete nightmare and ruled the house.

Plus, hes an evil genius, who sits and plots my downfall - he lures me in with baby talk and wanting head scritches - and then pounces - then laughs. He also creeps up and torments the dog, with ninja stealth. He also tries to position himself above the dog and keeps checking his aim is good - before he poops on her. Then he laughs. He's quite obnoxious, with a twisted sense of humour.

He is also extremely hyperactive. He has so much energy and can't sit still for a second. He's like a toddler on e-numbers and yet the vet says his diet is really good. He's very demanding and I have to entertain him all day. He's very intelligent, so needs a lot of stimulation, without being OVER stimulated. I have to sing and dance for him - and act like the court jester to his king. He constantly has to be running on me, using me as a climbing frame and I can't leave him alone in the room for a second. He's like velcro, which isn't nice when he's in a bitey mood. He has lots of different toys but doesn't like to play with them alone. My clothes are so much more interesting to bite holes in. I can't remember the last time I had a bath on my own, or went to the toilet - without him being on me. He makes some rude noises at me, when I'm in the bathroom - which he finds hilarious.

They are the negatives. Maybe mine is just a bit psycho. Though my daughters friend has a Senegal and she is similar (very loud and bitey). Before I got him, all my research told me that Senegals were quiet. Since I've had him, everyone with a Senegal has told me theirs is the same. Wish they'd told me sooner . Don't let any of this put you off - the good bits (which I'm getting to) outweigh the bad.

The positives are that he is a clown and has great comic timing. He is afraid of nothing (not even fireworks) - except boxes and carrier bags. He has to be the centre of attention and be a part of everything I do (which can be difficult when I'm trying to do housework). He's very sociable and wants to check everyone out.

He can be very loving and likes to be a baby sometimes. If I'm crying, he will make little cooing noises and come and see that I'm ok. He is then very gentle.

He has a good range of speech but prefers to scream. When he does talk though - it's usually in context. Every morning when I get him from his sleep cage he greets me with "you all right?" and says "night night" when he goes in there, in the evening. He calls out ""dinner" to torment the dog, who then comes running. He calls my daughter in the room and then blows raspberries at her and laughs. If I'm trying to do something on my own he calls out "what ya doing?". He says loads more. He makes lots of noises too - kissing, cooing, microwave beeping, squeaky door, Anne from Little Britain (probably only those from UK will know that).

He likes to lay on his back and get belly rubs - I think it's because he has seen the dog do the same. Before my other dog passed away, he used to ride around on his back. He also used to give him bits of his food to eat. He prefers to have his bowl on the floor, next to my dog's bowl - so they can eat together, side by side. Other times he wants to eat with me. I don't think I've had many dinners in eleven years that haven't been studied and picked at. I'm careful to make sure he's only getting the healthy bits, but that he thinks it's his choice.

So - the life with a Senegal. It's challenging but, when he is snuggled under my chin and whispering to me - it's worth it. Even with all his crazy making and narcissistic tendencies - I love him.

 

[thekarens]

I have two sennies and they are both quiet. The male is more playful and the female more sedentary. I find them both to be a cautious bird and a little on the nervous side. They don't like quick movements or sudden loud noises and they are slow to trust. I carry both of mine around like a football and lay them on their backs, but no one else can treat them that way.

To me their biggest negative is the biting. When they do decide to bite they give little to no warning.

 

[SennieSlave]

Isn't it funny how they're all completely different, even though the same species - just like people I guess.

My two dogs are the same breed, have been brought up together and treated the same - yet are chalk and cheese and completely different ends of the character spectrum. And some say animals have no personalities.

 

[RainbowRose]

Omg SennieSlave I had to pause from reading your reply because you had me laughing so hard! Love that you called him a can opener with wings hahaha.

Thank you all for your replies I definitely got some good insight from them.

Another question, how long do they typically live for?? Is 12-15 old?? Or will I have lots of time with it still

 

[SennieSlave]

Omg SennieSlave I had to pause from reading your reply because you had me laughing so hard! Love that you called him a can opener with wings hahaha.

Thank you all for your replies I definitely got some good insight from them.

Another question, how long do they typically live for?? Is 12-15 old?? Or will I have lots of time with it still

Haha, glad my monster made you smile.

I think the average is between 25-30 years but that's in the wild. But, in captivity, some have been known to live a lot longer - up to 50 years, I think.

Someone else will be able to tell you better than me.

 

[RavensGryf]

Omg SennieSlave I had to pause from reading your reply because you had me laughing so hard! Love that you called him a can opener with wings hahaha.

Thank you all for your replies I definitely got some good insight from them.

Another question, how long do they typically live for?? Is 12-15 old?? Or will I have lots of time with it still

Haha, glad my monster made you smile.

I think the average is between 25-30 years but that's in the wild. But, in captivity, some have been known to live a lot longer - up to 50 years, I think.

Someone else will be able to tell you better than me.

My avian vet who sees birds exclusively, who's experience includes lecturing around the country, inventing cutting edge procedures in avian medicine, as well as working in his own practice (for decades), says: it's is very RARE to see (the smaller) Poicephalus over mid 20's. I've heard of into their 30's, but then we've also heard of people at 105 :52:. I'm hoping my Red Bellied who's 20, will be his oldest Poi patient when he reaches his 30's .

 

[RavensGryf]

I think "loud" is pretty subjective. My Pionus is usually quiet, but will occasionally let out a screech that is MUCH louder than a Sennie, and even though he can be ear splitting up close, I still don't consider him a loud parrot.... A full volume blast from a large Macaw, a large Cockatoo, even an Eclectus for example. Those are seriously LOUD! I guess when I think of loud, that's what I'm comparing to.

 

[SennieSlave]

I think "loud" is pretty subjective. My Pionus is usually quiet, but will occasionally let out a screech that is MUCH louder than a Sennie, and even though he can be ear splitting up close, I still don't consider him a loud parrot.... A full volume blast from a large Macaw, a large Cockatoo, even an Eclectus for example. Those are seriously LOUD! I guess when I think of loud, that's what I'm comparing to.

I guess mine must have huge vocal cords. He's like the Brian Blessed of Senegals. Maybe his Mum had relations with a Macaw (my Ri - not Brian Blessed).


People have said they can hear him from down the road (I've checked - they're right). I'm constantly worried, in case neighbours complain. He does these three screams in a row - then pauses and does them again .... and again..... etc. When he went to parrot rehab he came home with a lovely new scream, which he'd learned from a Cockatoo. Thankfully that only lasted a month.

Plus it's incessant which doesn't help - no matter what he's doing. The vet says he's just having fun - no fun for my ears.


Edited to add - was curious so have been watching Senegal's screaming, on YouTube. Yeah, mine is nothing like that. They all had more of a whistle. Mine definitely has a scream. The closest I can get is like the volume of an African Grey but a higher pitch - and not just a solitary scream each time either (comes in groups of threes). I'd be worried there was something wrong with mine but he's been like it all his life. Even the vet said he had a good pair of lungs on him.

Ah well, RainbowRose - at least you know mine is the exception and not the rule. Trust me to get the mouthy one. :/

 

[Taw5106]

SennieSlave, you are not the ruler of your house, the can opener is, ROTFL!!!! I think birds are different like people when we got Buddy home (he's a Mexican Redhead) before bed my husband says, "Buddy, I like you. You're quiet." Me, I turned and left the room laughing, he learned quickly that Buddy is not that quiet, lol!

Ravensgrf and SennieSlave thanks for sharing. I've been following Kinny's posts on Pazu, he's a baby Sennie and has recently started screaming. I've been sharing the pics with the kids so they can see a baby bird grow and there are two that a local bird breeder has been trying to sell. Husband is mesmerized them, they are quiet. I tell him of course they don't know you it's after they get to know you they show their personality. And I love Little Britain, I watch it when it's available, I cracked up when I read that, lol!

 

[SennieSlave]

SennieSlave, you are not the ruler of your house, the can opener is, ROTFL!!!! I think birds are different like people when we got Buddy home (he's a Mexican Redhead) before bed my husband says, "Buddy, I like you. You're quiet." Me, I turned and left the room laughing, he learned quickly that Buddy is not that quiet, lol!

Ravensgrf and SennieSlave thanks for sharing. I've been following Kinny's posts on Pazu, he's a baby Sennie and has recently started screaming. I've been sharing the pics with the kids so they can see a baby bird grow and there are two that a local bird breeder has been trying to sell. Husband is mesmerized them, they are quiet. I tell him of course they don't know you it's after they get to know you they show their personality. And I love Little Britain, I watch it when it's available, I cracked up when I read that, lol!

Doesn't he know it . I've tried everything to make him behave, apart from a sticker chart. When he's having a sulk, he'll turn his back to me and sit grumbling to himself - it's like living with a grumpy little old man. That's usually when I've not allowed him something he wants and he's had a tantrum. I look at him sometimes and wonder how such a small creature can cause so much chaos.

Yeah, the Little Britain character makes me laugh every time he does it. He puts his head on one side at the same time - as if to mock me.

I shall have to go hunt out Kinny's posts - to remind me of when I had a good boy.

 

[RavensGryf]

SennieSlave, you are not the ruler of your house, the can opener is, ROTFL!!!! I think birds are different like people when we got Buddy home (he's a Mexican Redhead) before bed my husband says, "Buddy, I like you. You're quiet." Me, I turned and left the room laughing, he learned quickly that Buddy is not that quiet, lol!

Ravensgrf and SennieSlave thanks for sharing. I've been following Kinny's posts on Pazu, he's a baby Sennie and has recently started screaming.

Pazu is an Eclectus not a Sennie

 

[Taw5106]

Dang it!!!! I was questioning myself earlier today. My apologies to you all. I need to keep working on my parrot knowledge.

 

[RavensGryf]

SennieSlave, it's possible he is mimicking a different species sound that he's picked up?
I can also hear my budgie down the street lol... Some sound pitches carry too.

 

[Taw5106]

My apologies to all again. I am wrong, I thought an Eclectus was a Sennie! And I am wrong. I still think all birds have different personalities, and I love Little Britian.