The Meyer’s Parrots or Brown Parrots (Poicephalus meyeri) are small, stocky African parrots that occupy most non-coastal areas south of the Sahara (central and eastern Africa).
This species was named after the German naturalist Berhard Meyer.
In the wild, they are the smallest and most common of all Poicephalus parrots. In recent years, these parrots have gained popularity in the pet trade and are imported in large numbers. In the United States, this species may be second only to the Senegal Parrot in terms of numbers held by breeders. This species is, however, a rare find in Australia.
Their maximum recorded lifespan in captivity is just under 35 years.
Meyer’s Parrots as Pets / Suitability and Care
Breeding the Meyer’s Parrots
Subspecies:
This species has been the most challenging to separate into subspecies and is possibly split up into six subspecies based on home range, size and markings, including extent of yellow markings on the head and wings, as well as intensity of blue, turquoise or green markings on the abdomen or rump.
The subspecies are:
Yellow Markings:
Meyer’s Parrots or Brown Parrots – Poicephalus meyeri meyeri (Cretzschmar, 1827) – Nominate species
- Range: South Chad to West Ethiopia
- Id: Yellow on the head with a turquoise-bluish belly
Uganda Yellow-shouldered Parrots aka Kenya Meyer, Meyer’s Parrots – Poicephalus meyeri saturatus (Sharpe, 1901)
- Range: Uganda and West Kenya to West Tanzania
- Id: Yell
ow on the head with a green belly
ow on the head with a green bellySouth African Brown Parrots – Poicephalus meyeri trasvaalensis (Neumann, 1899)
- Range: Botswana, Zimbabwe and northern South Africa
- Id: Yellow on the head with a greenish belly
East African Brown Parrots – Poicephalus meyeri matschiei (Neumann, 1898)
- Range: Central Tanzania, South-east Congo, Zambia and North Malaw
- Id: Yellow on the head and a bright blue belly
No Yellow Markings on Head:
The western races P. m. damarensis and P. m. reichenowi lack yellow markings on the head.
Damaraland Brown Parrots – Poicephalus meyeri damarensis (Neumann, 1898)
- Range: North Namibia, South Angola and northwestern Botswana
- Id: No yellow on the head and a turquoise belly
Angola Brown Parrots – Poicephalus meyeri reichenowi (Neumann, 1898)
- Range: Central Angola to South Congo
- Id: No yellow on the head and a turquoise belly
There is some controversy about the validity and identification of the subspecies. Many conflicting identification reports have been published on this topic. The natural range of these birds overlaps to such an extent that interbreeding has undoubtedly occurred in the wild.
Unfortunately, captive birds are often impossible to classify as they are commonly interbred – one major reason being the unavailability of a true and unrelated species mate as well as a lack of understanding of the different sub-species. In order to preserve the sub-species, it is hoped that breeders make an attempt at matching up same-species birds.
Distribution / Range
They are from central and eastern sub-Saharan Africa – an extremely large land mass. Specifically, these parrots can be found in Southern Chad, northeast Cameroon, Central African Republic, as well as the southern Sudan and western Ethiopia. They appear to be most prolific in Zimbabwe and northern Botswana. There was no evidence to support any local migrations.
Like Senegal Parrots, the Meyer’s Parrots inhabit the moist woodland areas, the edges of the dry savannah, wooded grasslands, forests along watercourses and agricultural land – up to 2200m (7216 ft). On occasion, they are also found in suburban areas.
They are usually seen in pairs or small flocks; however, occasionally large gatherings of up to 50 of them are observed in favored feeding areas.
These shy and wary birds roost in tree cavities.
Description
This is a small and stocky African parrot, averaging 8 – 10 inches (21 – 25 cm) in length. Their wing length is about 5.5 to 6 inches (141 – 149 cm). They weigh about 3.5-4.7 oz or 100-135g.
They are similar in shape and size to the Senegal, Brown-headed and Red-bellied Parrots. Like the Red-bellied Parrots, they have orange-red irises.
The plumage is mostly brownish-grey with yellow patches on the bend of the wings and thighs and – depending on the subspecies – also on the head. Their abdomen is green and the rump is blue or turquise. The upperside of the tail is brown and the underside is dark grey. Their feet are dark grey. The eye (periophthalmic) rings are black and the bill is black.
Females look like males, and if gender identification is important (for example for breeding birds), DNA / Feather or surgical sexing is recommended. Some visual sexing can be attempted using the same method as for the brown-headed parrots: the male has a larger beak, larger head and the head tends to be flatter on top.
Young / immature birds are generally greenish-brown without the yellow crown and thighs. The lower breast and abdomen are green. The yellow on the bend of the wing is less extensive. Their under wing-coverts are brownish-green and interspersed with yellow. The lower back is blue. Young birds have dark brown irises. They attain the adult plumage when they are about 12 months old.
Calls / Vocalizations
Their contact calls consist of a series of screeches, often with brief pauses. Their alarm calls start with a growl and escalate into shrieking cries. Captive birds mimic sounds around them.
Their natural diet includes fruits, berries, flowers, seeds, nuts, as well as the occasional insect. They may also forage on cultivated crops.
The Diet / Nutritional Requirements of Meyer’s Parrots
Status
Meyer’s parrots are relatively common in the wild and, as such, are classified as Low Risk / Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, even though they are not considered globally threatened, their populations have dramatically decreased in South Africa and Zimbabwe, mostly due to habitat destruction and persecution owing to damage of crops. They are also heavily trapped for the pet trade, which contributes to their declining numbers.
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus meyeri meyeri … English: Meyer’s Parrot … Dutch: Meyers Papegaai … German: Goldbugpapagei, Meyers Papagei … French: Perroquet de Meyer … CITES II – Endangered Species
Sub-species:
Angola Brown Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus meyeri reichenowi … English: Angola Brown Parrot … Dutch: Angola Meyers Papegaai … German: Angola- Goldbuchpapagei … French: Perroquet de Reichenow … CITES II – Endangered Species
Description: As meyeri, but greyish-brown of head and upper breast much darker and blackish (not dark brown as described by some authors); back and wing-coverts blackish; lower back and rump bright light blue to blue; lower breast and abdomen vary from turquoise to light blue; abdomen plumage very interspersed with black in most birds; yellow to crown absent; larger. … Length: 24 cm (9.5 ins), wing length 148 – 174 mm (6 – 7 ins)
Distribution: Northern and central Angola as well as adjacent areas of Congo.
Damaraland Brown Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus meyeri damarensis … English: Damaraland Brown Parrot … Dutch: Damaraland Meyers Papegaai … German: Damaraland-Goldbuchpapagei … French: Perroquet de Meyer laterre Damara … CITES II – Endangered Species
Distribution: Southern Angola, northern and central Namibia and northwest Botswana; overlaps with transvaalensis in Okavango Region, Botswana
Description: As meyeri, but greyish-brown of head and upper breast a darker grey. The back and wing-coverts are lighter blackish. The lower back and rump are light blue. The lower breast and abdomen are turquoise. The yellow to the crown is absent. Slightly larger. … Length: 22 cm (8.5 ins), wing length 149 – 160 mm (6 – 6.25 ins)
East African Brown Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus meyeri matchiei … English: East African Brown Parrot … Dutch: Oost-Afrikaanse Meyers Papegaai German: Ostafrikanischer Goldbugpapagei … CITES II – Endangered Species .
Description: As nominate meyeri, but greyish-brown of head and upper breast slightly darker. The back and wing-coverts are blackish. The lower back and rump are bright light blue. The lower breast and abdomen vary from turquoise to light blue. Yellow feathers present on crown. On average slightly larger. … Length: 22 cm (8.5 ins), wing length 142 – 160 mm (5.5 – 6 ins)
Distribution: Southeast Kenya, Tanzania, northern Malawi, Zambia and southeast Congo
South African Brown Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus meyeri transvaalensis … English: South African Brown Parrot … Dutch: Zuid-Afrikaanse Meyers Papegaai … German: Südafrikanischer Goldbugpapagei … French: Perroquet Transvaal de Meyer … CITES II – Endangered Species
Description: As meyeri, but greyish-brown of head and upper breast darker and more brownish (not paler brown or lighter as described by some authors); back and wing-coverts blackish; lower back and rump greenish with distinct light blue to bright light blue feathering; lower breast and abdomen greener and uniform turquoise; yellow to crown present in almost all birds; on average slightly larger; this sub-species differs from saturatus only by greenish-light blue rump. … Length: 22 cm (8.5 ins), wing length 142 – 160 mm (5.5 – 6 ins)
Distribution: Northeast Mozambique, Zimbabwe and eastern Lesotho; isolated population in Cape Province, South Africa probably originated from escaped birds.
Uganda Yellow-shouldered Parrots aka Kenya Meyer, Meyer’s Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus meyeri saturatus … English: Uganda Yellow-shouldered Parrot … Dutch: Oeganda Meyers Papegaai … German: Uganda Goldbugpapagei … French: Perroquet Uganda de Meyer …CITES II– Endangered Species
Description: As meyeri, but greyish-brown of head and upper breast darker and more blackish; back and wing-coverts blackish; lower back and rump light blue (not green washed with pale blue as described by some authors); lower breast and abdomen much greener; varies from turquoise to green; yellow feathers to crown present; on average slightly larger. … Length: 22 cm (8.5 ins), wing length 144 – 158 mm (5.5 – 6 ins)
Distribution: Central and eastern Africa
