How to Bond with a Senegal Parrot

Co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM

Updated: March 28, 2019

Explore this Article Providing a Healthy Living Space Interacting with Your Bird Managing Behavioral Problems Ask a Question Related Articles References

Senegal parrots are prized for their warm personalities, ease of training, and lower price (as compared to other species of parrots). Like all parrots, however, these birds need a great deal of attention. Senegal parrots are known for bonding with just one special person. By providing a healthy living space, interacting with your bird daily, and managing any behavioral problems you can effectively bond with your Senegal parrot.

Providing a Healthy Living Space

  1. 1
    Provide a comfortable cage. Your Senegal parrot needs space to play and relax. If they are comfortable, they will be better able to bond. Your parrot’s cage should be a minimum of 20 inches (50.8 cm) X 20 inches (50.8 cm) X 28 inches (71.12 cm) high for one parrot, or double that size for two parrots. Bar spacing of ¾ inch (1.9 cm) is best, and cages with horizontal bars provide additional places to climb.[1] You’ll also want to add:
    • Perches (5/8 to 1 inch/1.59 to 2.54 cm is the ideal size).
    • Food and water dishes.
    • A large shallow bowl of water for bathing.
    • Plenty of toys (such as swings, bridges, wooden blocks, and bells).
  2. 2
    Place their cage in a centralized location. Place your Senegal's cage in a high-traffic room, like the living room, den, or any other space where people frequently hang out. This provides ongoing opportunities for interaction, and helps your parrot to feel like part of the family.[2]
    • The kitchen is not a good choice because parrots are sensitive to smells. Additionally, fumes from Teflon-coated pots and pans can injure or kill birds.
    • Try to select a location that does not experience major temperature changes (like by an open window or heat vent) or encounter fumes (like smoke or perfume smells).
  3. 3
    Keep your Senegal separate from other birds. If you have other birds at home, it is important to keep your Senegal in its own cage, a little removed from other birds, until you know that you’ve established a strong bond with your Senegal. If you introduce your Senegal to the other birds too quickly, you risk having the birds bond with one another more than they bond with you.[3]
    • If your Senegal is eating from your hand, follows some commands (like step up), and grows excited by your presence, you might be ready to introduce them to your other bird(s).

Interacting with Your Bird

  1. 1
    Get ready for a one-on-one relationship. Senegal parrots are known for building an especially strong bond with just one person. If you will be the primary care provider, this will probably be you. This means that your parrot will need special quality time with you every day, and that you will not be able to share a lot of your parrot-related duties with other people.[4]
    • Senegal parrots who do not get enough attention from their favorite person can grow depressed or dejected.
    • Some parrots will not accept food from other people.
  2. 2
    Speak to your parrot. Bond with your Senegal by treating them like a friend. Don’t limit your interaction to scheduled play times. Instead, speak with your bird as much as you can throughout the day.[5]
    • Greet them whenever you walk into the room.
    • Put on some music and sing to them.
    • Read books out loud to them.
  3. 3
    Provide plenty of time outside of the cage. It is important for your Senegal to spend time outside of their cage every day. This time can be a mix of supervised exploration and handling. You can play with your bird, hold them on your shoulder, or allow them to explore your home.[6]
    • Ensure that any other household pets (such as dogs or cats) are in another room.
    • Provide a treat when your bird exits the cage, and also when they return.
    • You can feed your bird a meal when they return to the cage, to make it a positive experience.
    • Never force your bird to exit the cage if they do not want to.
  4. 4
    Feed your parrot treats by hand. When you provide treats (such as sunflower seeds) to your parrot, offer them the food right out of your hand. You can also offer your parrot a bit of whatever you are eating (if it is a parrot-friendly food). This helps to foster a positive relationship.[7]
    • Parrots cannot eat avocado, chocolate, onions, broccoli/cauliflower, coffee, or alcohol.
    • Most other fresh fruit, vegetables, and seeds are OK.
    • All produce should be washed, peeled, and chopped/grated.
  5. 5
    Play games with your bird. You can really bond with your bird (and have fun in the process) by playing some games. You can play well-known games or invent your own. Try to play games with your bird for a little while each day.[8] Some bird games include:
    • Peek-a-boo.
    • Chase.
    • Fetch or catch.
    • Call and response.

Managing Behavioral Problems

  1. 1
    Take your bird to the vet. Aggressive or destructive behavior in parrots can be indicative of certain health problems. If your bird is screeching, biting, or diving at people, contact your vet and bring your bird in for a check-up. Your vet should be able to rule out any medical problems and/or offer behavioral advice.[9]
  2. 2
    Identify and eliminate stressors. Your bird could be acting out because something is bothering them. Keep a close eye on your bird, and try to identify when they get upset. If possible, remove the thing that seems to be the source of stress.[10] Some stressors can include:
    • Loud noises.
    • Other pets (like dogs or cats) getting close to the cage.
    • Certain toys, especially toys that move.
    • Being next to a window.
    • Environmental changes
    • Too small or too crowded cage
  3. 3
    Spend a lot of time around your bird. Aggressive behavior can be the result of fear. It can also signal that your Senegal wants to be the dominant bird. Spend as much time as you can in the same room as your bird, so they begin to become comfortable around you. They will begin to recognize that you aren’t going to hurt them and/or start to respect your position as the alpha in the house.[11]
    • Try to spend 3 to 5 hours in the same room as your bird each day.
  4. 4
    Make sure your bird gets enough out-of-cage time. Birds who are cooped up too often are more likely to develop behavior problems. This can make your bird more aggressive, and it can make it more difficult for you to bond.[12]
    • A healthy Senegal should have a minimum of 2-3 hours outside of its cage each day.
    • If you are experiencing behavioral problems, try allowing 3-4 hours of out-of-cage time, and see if the problems improve.
  5. 5
    Practice positive reinforcement. Parrots are not capable of understanding “punishments” (such as yelling or hitting). If your bird bites, screams too much, or exhibits other aggressive behavior simply cover the cage and/or walk out of the room. This allows your bird some space to calm down. After your bird is calm, try to hold it. Offer your bird a treat for good behavior.[13]
    • You can offer a treat anytime your bird acts the way you want them to.
    • Hitting or yelling at your bird can actually make aggressive behavior worse.

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