considering a senegal

[missModified]

hello all
my boyfriend an I are looking into getting a bird when we move next year (once we're settled ourselves!) and have been considering a lot of options.
I used to have budgies and cockatiels when I was younger, and so have a little experience, but this will be his first bird so we are looking to get something that will be manageable for both of us size and personality wise. One of the species we both like the look of is sengals.
Were looking to get a snuggly and playful bird in a small-ish package so and I've always loved the look of senegals so we've begun looking into what they are like to keep! We are open to suggestions as to other species as well, its more about the personality and temperament for us, and we are still in the stage where we are narrowing down what is the right parrot for us.
We're hoping people can give us first hand accounts of what its like to own these little beauties? We need to know the good and the bad so dont be scared to share your story even if its not the most positive, though I'm sure most of them are!

 

[HalfInsane]

First thing I should mention, in my experience with Pixel (and it seems like this is a common trait with Senegals), they tend to be one person birds. Not always, and if both you and your boyfriend consistently play with, feed, train the bird this will lessen the odds of the bird choosing one of you or the other. But keep on mind the potential is there. To be fair, Im the only person who really cares for Pixel. She interacts with other people on a less consistent basis. But she is TOTALLY a one person bird.

Personality wise, she has moments of unbounded energy, but overall she's actually a fairly calm bird. She follows me everywhere (she's flighted), wants to be a part of everything I do, and is a real mooch. Anything thats mine is hers in her head. If I have food, I better share it.

She occasionally has a moody day. I've not found her to be overly nippy, but I have worked through phases of nipping with her. You do have to be prepared to be bitten (with any bird!) and to react in such a way it doesn't encourage more biting. Senegals can deliver a pretty good bite for their size.

I wouldn't call her snuggly. She does LOVE LOVE LOVE having her head and neck scratched, and will beg for scratches, but that's about it. She is quite playful. But being playful also means getting in to everything/chewing everything. Be prepared to be ever vigilant if you don't want to have little bite marks in all your belongings.

Overall she's a great little bird, and I wouldn't trade her for anything.

 

[Mayden]

I promise I'll write you a nice big report on living with my two senegals as soon as I'm free!

 

[missModified]

First thing I should mention, in my experience with Pixel (and it seems like this is a common trait with Senegals), they tend to be one person birds. Not always, and if both you and your boyfriend consistently play with, feed, train the bird this will lessen the odds of the bird choosing one of you or the other. But keep on mind the potential is there. To be fair, Im the only person who really cares for Pixel. She interacts with other people on a less consistent basis. But she is TOTALLY a one person bird.

Personality wise, she has moments of unbounded energy, but overall she's actually a fairly calm bird. She follows me everywhere (she's flighted), wants to be a part of everything I do, and is a real mooch. Anything thats mine is hers in her head. If I have food, I better share it.

She occasionally has a moody day. I've not found her to be overly nippy, but I have worked through phases of nipping with her. You do have to be prepared to be bitten (with any bird!) and to react in such a way it doesn't encourage more biting. Senegals can deliver a pretty good bite for their size.

I wouldn't call her snuggly. She does LOVE LOVE LOVE having her head and neck scratched, and will beg for scratches, but that's about it. She is quite playful. But being playful also means getting in to everything/chewing everything. Be prepared to be ever vigilant if you don't want to have little bite marks in all your belongings.

Overall she's a great little bird, and I wouldn't trade her for anything.

I am a bit worried about the one person bird aspect of things as I'm going to be at home a lot more than my other half, but I really don't want to discount senegals just based on that as I've always loved the look of them.
Ive heard they can give a nasty bite if they feel like it, I need to look into the right techniques for dealing with that so I'm ready!
Pixel sounds adorably cheeky

 

[missModified]

I promise I'll write you a nice big report on living with my two senegals as soon as I'm free!

I can't wait to read it they are stunning little birds and so far I'm hearing mostly good things

 

[Karigan]

Mine is pretty good. When she was an only bird, she would make constant contact calls that she would expect me to answer from anywhere in the house. If I did answer, there was a 10 second gap between calls rather than 5.

The only times she's really loud is when my husband pulls in the driveway. Kito is good with people. She isn't a one person bird per say... but there is unquestionably a #1 person in her life. I can be at home all day and her and I will have a great time training and cuddling, but the minute Ivory gets home he is all she wants. When she's had good Ivory time, she's much more flexible but will hop over to him given the chance.

Over all, she is pretty tollerant of people touching and holding her, but she leans away and hops off first chance she gets. Not overly fond of small children, but doesn't mind them when they're calm.

Her personality is very much that of Blanch from the Golden Girls (If you've ever seen the show). Everything that happens in this house happens of course because of her. Company's over, it's for her. Peel open a banana? She expects a bite. The diva personality is very common in sennies.

She is a very light chewer and I've managed to have a coconut shell in there for over a year with minimal damage done to it. Paper on the other hand... never leave the newspaper, a book, magazine, box, or any paper related product within sight of the cage or it will be shredded the minute you turn your back. One of the highlights of my day is balling up some newspaper with twine and watching her dive bomb and roll around her cage with it.

She is definitely the boldest of my birds. Leave her out of her cage and she will hop down and climb the stairs to find you.

She does love her pellets soaked in water, but if she gets put in a time out she will fling her pellets around with her beak in her bowl.

Her cage is the easiest to clean in the house, and really only needs a good scrubbing every 2 weeks, unless we've given her lots of paper. Papers are done every few days.

She will nip, but only when annoyed. It's pretty easy to gauge what she's thinking. Unless you're reading around her... Then she will ninja the book and any fingers that get in her way.

 

[Mayden]

I am a bit worried about the one person bird aspect of things as I'm going to be at home a lot more than my other half, but I really don't want to discount senegals just based on that as I've always loved the look of them.
Ive heard they can give a nasty bite if they feel like it, I need to look into the right techniques for dealing with that so I'm ready!
Pixel sounds adorably cheeky

Just taken a break from cage cleaning so I'll give you a little bit of info!

I, like yourself, are home most of the time. My partner works full time and I'm only part time (with irregular hours) so I'm the one Merlin sees the most. Merlin is a one person bird - in the sense that he's either a mummys boy, OR a daddys boy. But it changes on a daily basis. It does not mean that he doesn't love me on the days he's being a daddys boy, just on that day, he'd rather be stuck to his daddy instead!

Sometimes it doesn't change on a day to day basis, sometimes it's more infrequent than that, but I know that at the end of X period, it'll be my turn. It seems to be that during the wintery months, Merlin prefers Andrew, and during summertime he's a Mummysboy. But like I said, doesn't mean that he's STRICTLY only loving one person, just has an obvious preference. When it's "daddys turn" I just make the most of the time I have when Andrew isn't around for Merlin to be distracted.

Andrew does the same during the summery months, when I'm at work Andrew will spend that time one on one interacting with Merlin. We try and keep the love and the actual care giving as 50/50 as possible as we don't want him overbonding.

Charlie (our newest) is still very much a mummysboy. He steps up for me, eats for me, bathes for me... bites his daddy. But he's getting better. Right now Andrew hasn't had a lot of chance to interact with Charlie, whereas I've had plenty. Whether he stays a mummysboy we will just have to wait and see!

Biting; Now with senegals I've always said (and you'll probably see it on every senegal thread I've been on) that you need to have thick skin, both literally and figuratively. Senegal's pack a huge bite for such a small bird and they don't just bite, they latch on. Don't think it's a quick peck and it's all over, it's CHOMP AND WAIT. It's horrible. But, you can minimise biting with certain training. We've accepted that Merlin is going to be a bit of a biter regardless of what we do because he needs his beak to get around (he has a bad leg) and so bites onto everything and anything he can, so more often than not, we get a huge nasty bite, without him meaning to "bite". Charlie on the other hand tends to give us good warning that he wants to bite. He'll puff his feathers, he'll make a growl, he'll move away. If you ignore that, he'll bite. (Andrew's still learning that he is not like Merlin.... )

BUT at the same time, Senegals are well known for their Jeckyll and Hyde attitude; many senegals even lowering their head for "scritches" just to lure you in and give you a good chomp! Merlin doesn't do this, thankfully. Charlie does to Andrew though.

So that's the "literal" need for thick skin. The figurative need would be that they can flit with their personalities. Like I mentioned with Jeckyl and Hyde before; they can be the most cuddy little birds known to man, then decide they want nothing to do with you at all. It can be real hurtful if you're not expecting it. During winter months (when Andrew's his favourite) I will admit I get a little bit sad to be losing out on my cuddlebug, but I appreciate it's just what Merlin does, but the first year was horrible because I thought I'd "lost him forever" to Andrew. I now know the ins and outs of his behaviour and appreciate that; so when you've learnt about your bird, you'll see what I mean, but up until then, don't take every "back turn" or "other favourite person" as a personal attack.

They are usually clingy little birds, they like to be in everything and be with everyone. We used to take Merlin with us to the pub! He's fly about, sitting with anyone and everyone who wanted him! (The pub had double sets of doors and was very 'animal friendly', as were the locals! )

Senegals are little clowns and if you ignore the 'jeckyl and hide' and their intense bite, or 'likelyhood' to be a one person bird. You've got the best little package you could get.

We (or most people! 2nd pic is of housemate with him.) can do next to anything with our Merlin.

and he really is a cuddle bug.

Merlin is noisey when we leave, he loves our attention but we've never had neighbours complain about the noise. But senegals, although "quiet birds" by definition - are not quiet. When walking home from work, I can hear Merlin halfway up my street. Neighbours are apparently oblivious to this, but I can hear him.

Senegals also go through "phobic phases" and it's so imperative that you work on exposure and socialisation straight off the bat. We had Merlin out in public from 10-12 weeks old (necessity for us) but everyone (all family members etc) should be handling him as soon as possible. Get him out in a travel cage, meeting people, different situations, get him on transport, be it car, bus, etc. Keep him exposed to new things and you'll have a really well rounded and non phobic bird. Merlin has 'phobic spats' about random things at home. But he's never afraid of new toys, new situations, new food, etc. He just dives on in there because he's been taught straight away that new does not always equal scary! It usually equals fun!

So overall, for the average senegals I'd say the traits are as follows!:

Cuddly/attention wanting
Cheeky
Nippy
Favours one person at a time
Sociable
Loud at times, (yes!)
Playful
Stomachs that seem to never end (they will want anything and everything you're eating).

If there's something I might have missed, please feel free to ask! Most of this information is from my own experiences with Merlin (and Charlie to an extent) but also from tons and tons of research on senegals before I got one myself. But, every bird is different!

 

[Karigan]

[/QUOTE] Neighbours are apparently oblivious to this, but I can hear him. [/QUOTE]


Ha! It's so true! Again, Kito shrieks and squawks loud enough to hear from 5 houses away, but none of my neighbors even know I have birds unless they see me walking with them!

 

[missModified]

Thanks so much for all the info! Mayden your birds sound adorable, and its reassuring to hear that they can go through stages of being more attached to one person rather than them definitely only ever being a one person bird.
I've seen a few videos of Senegals 'looking for a head scratch' and then biting when their owner tried, I didn't realise it was species specific trick XD
I have a question which might sound a bit silly but Im going to ask anyway. Ive been bitten by tiels and budgies before, but only ever on my hands. Do larger birds do the same as the smaller birds and bite mainly your hands, or will they bite elsewhere as well if they're feeling agitated? Im not worried about being bitten on my hands/arms etc, but I've had lymph nodes removed in my stomach and any wounds to my legs are likely to mean I need to go to hospital (its complicated and irritating!) Im used to being nipped on my hands but I know the bigger birds might be able to get a grip on me on say for example my thigh if they decided they were agitated. Im asking because I knew a woman with an amazon who used to 'dive bomb' and attack her husband, is this normal behaviour or more a peculiarity of that one parrot do you think? Silly question over and done with
The pictures of Merlin are adorable <3

 

[Karigan]

Hmm... my sennie will nibble my husbands neck and ears and get a little too enthusiastic at times. Usually it's the hands though, as they are the source of her stress. Mine really only bites if you're stressing her out. The only other reason for her biting is if she's trying to keep a grip so she doesn't fall off, and usually that hurts like a (BEEP!) but doesn't break the skin.

 

[missModified]

Hmm... my sennie will nibble my husbands neck and ears and get a little too enthusiastic at times. Usually it's the hands though, as they are the source of her stress. Mine really only bites if you're stressing her out. The only other reason for her biting is if she's trying to keep a grip so she doesn't fall off, and usually that hurts like a (BEEP!) but doesn't break the skin.

Thats good to hear Really its just a matter of making sure you learn to read them isn't it

 

[Karigan]

Pretty much. Biting is really a learned habbit and is not something that a parrot naturally does. Bird owners flinch when the beak comes their way, and it becomes a game to catch the fingers. A warning nip makes a human back off, so they learn to bite and draw blood to keep them at bay. A natural behaviour is a pressure bite, which hurts but does not (usually) break the skin and is used as a last resort.

Some ways to gauge your bird:
1. When the eyes are pinning (dialating and contracting) the bird is excited, either for good or for ill. Bites are more likely to occur at this time.
2. If the bird is avoiding you and screeching, leave it alone! He will nip to warn you away if threatened.
3. Some random things just aren't cool, especially when it comes to their cage. Some birds think that they have to defend their home from intruders. This can mean not being able to touch the cage when the bird is inside, or even just not being able to do certain things inside it (I can't fill the pellet bowl without getting bitten), and you just have to remember the conditions under which the bird bit you.

Parrots for Dummies is a great all around source that will give you an overview on common bird behaviours, as well as a bunch of other goodies and must-knows.

 

[Mayden]

Hmm... my sennie will nibble my husbands neck and ears and get a little too enthusiastic at times. Usually it's the hands though, as they are the source of her stress. Mine really only bites if you're stressing her out. The only other reason for her biting is if she's trying to keep a grip so she doesn't fall off, and usually that hurts like a (BEEP!) but doesn't break the skin.

Thats good to hear Really its just a matter of making sure you learn to read them isn't it

Same as all birds really I've got a fair few scars on my hand from Merlin (He's a nasty biter). He has however removed a skin tag on my neck before that was obviously bothering him! (bothered me too though so I didn't mind too much!)

He will nibble at other areas, mouthing for 'kisses' but never really bitten. My ears have had a few pinches as he's clambered down from my head but nothing major.

 

[missModified]

Hmm... my sennie will nibble my husbands neck and ears and get a little too enthusiastic at times. Usually it's the hands though, as they are the source of her stress. Mine really only bites if you're stressing her out. The only other reason for her biting is if she's trying to keep a grip so she doesn't fall off, and usually that hurts like a (BEEP!) but doesn't break the skin.

Thats good to hear Really its just a matter of making sure you learn to read them isn't it

Same as all birds really I've got a fair few scars on my hand from Merlin (He's a nasty biter). He has however removed a skin tag on my neck before that was obviously bothering him! (bothered me too though so I didn't mind too much!)

He will nibble at other areas, mouthing for 'kisses' but never really bitten. My ears have had a few pinches as he's clambered down from my head but nothing major.

haha, he must have known it was bothering you XD You say they really latch on when they bite, how do you get him off, do you just wait for him to let go?

 

[Karigan]

DON'T MOVE! If you try to pry the sennie off or fling it they'll just tear rather than clamp. If need be, put pressure on the sides of the beak right near the jaw muscle to encourage it open, just like you might a person. You can try the technique on yourself to see how it works. I haven't had to resort to this for biting, only to take something she's been chewing, but it works.

 

[missModified]

DON'T MOVE! If you try to pry the sennie off or fling it they'll just tear rather than clamp. If need be, put pressure on the sides of the beak right near the jaw muscle to encourage it open, just like you might a person. You can try the technique on yourself to see how it works. I haven't had to resort to this for biting, only to take something she's been chewing, but it works.

I don't know how I failed to notice your last reply, sorry about that! Ill look into the book and do a bit of reading I think Thank you for all your advice and tips! Any tips and tricks are greatly appreciated

 

[Mayden]

DON'T MOVE! If you try to pry the sennie off or fling it they'll just tear rather than clamp. If need be, put pressure on the sides of the beak right near the jaw muscle to encourage it open, just like you might a person. You can try the technique on yourself to see how it works. I haven't had to resort to this for biting, only to take something she's been chewing, but it works.

I don't know how I failed to notice your last reply, sorry about that! Ill look into the book and do a bit of reading I think Thank you for all your advice and tips! Any tips and tricks are greatly appreciated

I hold/rub Merlin's beak. He either tries to go for my fingers again (meaning he releases my current from his jaws of death) or he gets into that 'soothed' state (he's such a beak rubbing loving freak) that he'll ease off and let go. Sometimes it's hard not to flinch or wave about and it does happen! I got bit twice since writing to you because Merlin landed 'wrong' on my hands after a panic and chomped down, I moved my hand a bit to try and wobble him to fly again and got the second pinch! But it's really so important to try not to react - but it happens, we all do it at some point. :21:

We also sometimes cover his eyes with our hands, covering his eyes just makes him go into 'sleep mode' and he'll close his eyes and start cooing. What's better than getting a bird to stop biting? Soothing and cooing!

You'll find out what works best for your bird. Charlie rarely 'chomps' he mouths and gets harder if you don't move away - so he gives you a fair warning.

 

[missModified]

DON'T MOVE! If you try to pry the sennie off or fling it they'll just tear rather than clamp. If need be, put pressure on the sides of the beak right near the jaw muscle to encourage it open, just like you might a person. You can try the technique on yourself to see how it works. I haven't had to resort to this for biting, only to take something she's been chewing, but it works.

I don't know how I failed to notice your last reply, sorry about that! Ill look into the book and do a bit of reading I think Thank you for all your advice and tips! Any tips and tricks are greatly appreciated

I hold/rub Merlin's beak. He either tries to go for my fingers again (meaning he releases my current from his jaws of death) or he gets into that 'soothed' state (he's such a beak rubbing loving freak) that he'll ease off and let go. Sometimes it's hard not to flinch or wave about and it does happen! I got bit twice since writing to you because Merlin landed 'wrong' on my hands after a panic and chomped down, I moved my hand a bit to try and wobble him to fly again and got the second pinch! But it's really so important to try not to react - but it happens, we all do it at some point. :21:

We also sometimes cover his eyes with our hands, covering his eyes just makes him go into 'sleep mode' and he'll close his eyes and start cooing. What's better than getting a bird to stop biting? Soothing and cooing!

You'll find out what works best for your bird. Charlie rarely 'chomps' he mouths and gets harder if you don't move away - so he gives you a fair warning.

He sounds like real sweetheart bless him, its good to learn little tips and things I think, I wouldn't have thought of covering the eyes, and thats really cute that it settles him down so much

are there any books specifically on senegals I could look into?

 

[mtdoramike]

Sennie's are sweet wonderful birds. But their personality is quite large. They are considered to be the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the parrot world because one minute they can be sweet and the next minute they are biting the @#$$%&^^ out of you. Yes, it helps to read their signals, but some times with Sennie's they just nail you to be nailing you. They aren't really good around children either for this reason. All birds have their own personality so this may not fit all Sennie's but the one's I have been around match this profile to a "T".

 

[Mayden]

I don't know how I failed to notice your last reply, sorry about that! Ill look into the book and do a bit of reading I think Thank you for all your advice and tips! Any tips and tricks are greatly appreciated

I hold/rub Merlin's beak. He either tries to go for my fingers again (meaning he releases my current from his jaws of death) or he gets into that 'soothed' state (he's such a beak rubbing loving freak) that he'll ease off and let go. Sometimes it's hard not to flinch or wave about and it does happen! I got bit twice since writing to you because Merlin landed 'wrong' on my hands after a panic and chomped down, I moved my hand a bit to try and wobble him to fly again and got the second pinch! But it's really so important to try not to react - but it happens, we all do it at some point. :21:

We also sometimes cover his eyes with our hands, covering his eyes just makes him go into 'sleep mode' and he'll close his eyes and start cooing. What's better than getting a bird to stop biting? Soothing and cooing!

You'll find out what works best for your bird. Charlie rarely 'chomps' he mouths and gets harder if you don't move away - so he gives you a fair warning.

He sounds like real sweetheart bless him, its good to learn little tips and things I think, I wouldn't have thought of covering the eyes, and thats really cute that it settles him down so much

are there any books specifically on senegals I could look into?

The thing about covering the eyes is a well known 'trick' in the world of birds. Many birds of prey, for example, wear little 'hoods' at the vets which cover their eyes and reduces the stress factor. They're usually used when out during sport, but serve a duel purpose, but the idea is to keep the bird calm and less stressed!

I never read any books on Senegals, all my information was gathered from the internet.

Here I believe is a good forum post (from another forum mods, please feel free to edit/remove as you see fit!) basically covering a huge aspect of senegal life

Senegal Parrot Forum ? View topic - Senegal Parrot Information and FAQ

Parrots For Dummys is usually well recommended but it's not senegal specific and I've never read it myself.