Questions about Senegal?

[Erithacus]

No worries. My fids are never kept in a corner. They are right in the middle of the living.

[lzver]

1. Is Senegal a friendly parrot that will allow strangers to pet?

No, unfortunately my Senegal isn't friendly with strangers. He is a one person bird which is mostly my fault. But I can't convince my husband or step kids to dedicate enough time to work with him, so I guess he will remain a one person bird.

3. Is Senegal playful?

Yes, my Senegal is very goofy and very playful. A lot of the time, he makes his own fun swinging upside down or climbing down the corner of his cage backwards.

4. Interaction wise, would a Senegal bond with all family members?

I believe with work by other family members, that yes a Senegal will tolerate being handled or pet by other family members. But in my experience a bird will select one person as their favorite person and can learn to tolerate others.

Hope this helps.

[Natacha]

My turn!

1. Is Senegal a friendly parrot that will allow strangers to pet?

To pet, no. But then again, I don't pet her myself so she's not use to it. I do scratch her head and this she will also allow from other people she knows but not complete strangers, at least not for very long - I did bring her to a few parrot presentations to kids friends of mine were doing and she did well with the kids, but would rather only step up to their fingers and stay there rather than being "petted" but she did allow many kids to handle her without any fuss (although I did swoop in to "save" her when she looked at me a bit overwhelmed). She likes to observe people she doesn't know before getting too "close" (specially compared to my male Red belly who will happily show off for anyone).

2. Is Senegal afraid of bigger bird like my Grey? My previous small parrots were afraid of my Grey. They would panic when Cocoa went close to them.

HA! NO! Senegals are fearless that way, which isn't a great thing. My mom's Senegal would go after her African Greys and Cockatoos if she didn't interrupt him since he would be at quite a disadvantage (being smaller and handicapped (impaired movement, can't walk as fast and doesn't always thinks of flying away, would rather stand up to the other bird)).

3. Is Senegal playful?

Depends on each bird and how they were brought up. Some birds don't get presented to toys too early on and will have to slowly learn how to play. Mine does appreciate toys, but I wouldn't say she's very playful with me - are one on one time is most likely her snuggling with me.

4. Interaction wise, would a Senegal bond with all family members?

Socialization here is key.
Mine does fairly well with everyone, since I made a point to have as many people as I could handle her from the moment I got her, specially members of my family. Senegals do have a reputation of being one person birds, I wouldn't say Shade fits that definition. She goes to just about anyone and absolutely loves two people, myself and my dad.

[Erithacus]

I saw this post on our local bird forum. Just thought of sharing it.

Hey Hey, i just came across ur post on ur missing senegal.

i have a senegal myself, he's a wild caught bird but i have semi tamed him over the years.

he does not like to be touched but is fairly intelligent and obeys steps ups, ... he is free flighted, so sometimes he flies up a tree when i let him out of his cage but he always flies back.

im stayin around damansara area, maybe we can get bounce off the idea of possibly putting my senegal as bait to see if he's attracted to come check one of his own out.

[crousseau]

Another question, does Senegal likes to be pet or cuddled?

Mine definitly does! I can craddle her in my arms and snuggle and she enjoys it.

[crousseau]

I have been eying on this particular Senagal at a nearby petshop. There is nothing special about this bird. It's just that the bird has been kept there for many months. He is not a tame bird. He gets nervous when I stand near to him. Anyway, there are no tame Senegals on sale here.
For the past few months, I have been considering about it. I have always thought of getting a small parrot.

Since there are quite a number of Senegal owners here, I have a few questions to ask.

1. Is Senegal a friendly parrot that will allow strangers to pet? Depends on the Stranger and the Senegal. My girl Maggie is ok if the stranger is comfortable but won't go near you if you aren't.
2. Is Senegal afraid of bigger bird like my Grey? My previous small parrots were afraid of my Grey. They would panic when Cocoa went close to them. Maggie has been around an unfamilliar Grey, two other Senegals and two Hans Maccaws and no problems. She's also been around smaller birds like canaries and Lovebirds and she doesn't mind.
3. Is Senegal playful? Maggie didn't play much in the begining when I got her but I've been able to find things she enjoys and I've caught her playing with them when she thinks I'm not looking. I was told Senegals LOVE "orbital balls" so I got her one and she loves it. She also likes her fuzzy "Rope Ring" and I have a bell tied under it and she loves to play with that too.
4. Interaction wise, would a Senegal bond with all family members?
Thanks.

My experience is that she's bonded with me and will tolerate other family members