How old is my Senegal? (Photos included)

[barbarosksk]

Hello everyone, I got my Senegal yesterday but the man I bought it told me that he is either 6 months old or a little more. But I have doubts, I don't want to be cheated and I don't want my Senegal be 10 or 15 years old. Can you help me at deciding at what age he is? By the looks of him, he could be either 2 years old or 30 years old as it seen to me. I need expert eyes, any help appreciated.

[Pajarita]

I am sorry but nobody can tell the age of a parrot after their juvenile molt. A 2 year old would look exactly the same as a 25 year old. That's the wonderful thing about birds! It is only when they are very old that one can have an inkling of age from their eyes, legs and feet.

When it comes to age, one goes by the year engraved on the closed leg band but I noticed your bird doesn't have one which is strange because every single senegal I've seen had one. Didn't the breeder give you a hatch certificate? I know it's not something one would call real proof but that would be the only thing you could go by. But, one thing I can tell you, going by the pictures you posted, you don't have a 'he', you have a 'she'.

[barbarosksk]

No, I don't have any certificate but a vet told me that she could be 2-3 years old. She looks like the famous Kili I think Thank you for your answer I decided to keep this bird. I love how she acts. I assume I can train her and get used to me if she is 2 or 3 years old?

[Pajarita]

Of course! I got my male Senegal when he was 11 years old and the female when she was 7, I think (I have to check on that). Sheesh, even an amazon that was thought to be around 40 years old has bonded with me and even learned new words and commands! Parrots are highly intelligent and social so, as long as you listen to them, take your time and treat them with love and respect, they always respond.

[barbarosksk]

Okay then I am going to train him as soon as she get used to her new house. Thank you for your answer, you cleared all doubts in my mind!

[Pajarita]

Mind you, the most important part of training is to bond with them first. You need to do this BEFORE you start the training because parrots are not programmed by nature to obey an alpha (leader) figure and, if they do is only because they love us to pieces and like to please us so making her love you is the first step. And that takes time. It's not done in a week or a month.