Poicephalus
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The genus Poicephalus comprises 10 species of parrots native to various regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal in the west, Ethiopia in the east, and to Cape Horn in the south. Several of the species exist in slightly different forms (or subspecies).
They are stocky birds with short broad tails and relatively large heads and beaks for their size. They feed primarily on seeds, fruits, nuts, and leafy matter.
The Senegal Parrot, Meyer's Parrot, Jardine's Parrot and the Brown-headed Parrot are popular as pets because they are easier to keep in apartments, being generally quieter and smaller, than most other companion parrots.
Some Poicephalus parrot species are rare and not known or rare in captivity.
[edit] Classification
- Senegal Parrot, P. senegalus
- Meyer's Parrot, P. meyeri
- Red-bellied Parrot, P. rufiventris
- Brown-headed Parrot, P. cryptoxanthus
- Jardine's Parrot, P. gulielmi
- Cape Parrot, P. robustus
- Un-cape Parrot P fuscicollis (Its two subspecies are commonly called the Brown-necked Parrot and the Grey-headed Parrot)
- Rueppell's Parrot, P. rueppellii
- Yellow-fronted Parrot, P. flavifrons
- Niam-niam Parrot, P. crassus
