African Red-Bellied Parrots
 Congo Grey |
 Timneh Grey |
 Red-Bellied |
 Senegal |
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About African Red-Bellied Parrot (Poicephalus Rufiventris)
Often
considered to be the show-offs of the parrot world, the Red Bellied
Parrot is often not as shy as other parrots, and some owners report
that their birds will talk even more in the presence of company than
they do when they are at home with people they know.
In the wild, Red Bellied Parrots live in small groups or pairs. They eat fruits, seeds, and grain, living in woodlands or savannas. Although quieter than many parrots, Red Bellied Parrots are good talkers and can produce a variety of noises and sounds, both learned and instinctive. Although shy at times, Red Bellied Parrots are easily excited by new people and may talk excessively to attract attention! They are affectionate and loving with people they are familiar with and love attention. Once Red Bellied Parrots are acclimated, they become quite hardy. Before they are comfortable with their new handlers, they may be quite shy and some have even died flying into the mesh walls of their cages. After they settle in, Red Bellied Parrots become quite hardy and confiding. New birds should be allowed temperatures warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit, but after they are settled, they may be kept at temperatures as low as 50 degrees.
Red Bellied Parrots usually reach maturity at 12 months of age, when they will be about eight and a half inches in length. Red Bellied Parrots have grayish brown wings, heads, and backs. The lower back has a blue tinge, although it is predominantly yellow-green. The breasts, under-wing coverts, and cheeks are washed with orange. The under-wing coverts and thighs are aqua green. Red Bellied Parrots have black periopthalmic rings and red irises. Their bills are black and their feet are gray. Sexing may be achieved visually; males have orange bellies and females have green bellies. Immatures both have orange coloration over their bellies.
The Red Bellied Parrot was first officially noted in 1845 by Ruppell. These birds are naturally occurring in eastern Africa, from central Ethiopia to northern Tanzania. Although wild caught birds may be shy, flighty, or reserved, captive bred and raised Red Bellied Parrots usually have sweet, confiding personalities and will seek out human attention and company.
