Taxonomy
German physician and ornithologist Philipp Jakob Cretzschmar described Meyer's parrot in 1827. The name commemorates the German ornithologistDistribution and habitat
Meyer's parrots are native to the plateau woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa where they occur in several woodland types including miombo, savanna woodlands, wooded grasslands and forests bordering watercourses or agricultural land. They are found in high densities in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana. They are also found in southern and central Africa (Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Congo, Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia.Behaviour
Food and feeding
Their wild diet includes fruit, seeds, nuts, berries and cultivated crops. Seeds of the various leguminous trees of the African woodlands are especially favoured, providing their staple food in some areas. Although they normally travel in pairs or small flocks, wild Meyer's parrots may gather in much larger numbers where food is plentiful. In drought years they wander in search of food.Breeding
The Meyer's parrot nests in tree cavities. The eggs are white and there are usually three or four in a clutch. The female incubates the eggs for about 28 days and the chicks leave the nest about 60 days after hatching.Conservation status
Meyer's parrots are still common in the wild, although numbers have decreased locally following destruction of woodlands. It is generally not considered to be at risk, as their large population, limited pressure from trade and hunting, and 6,000,000 km2 home range make these birds unlikely to face extinction in the near future. Trade in Meyer's parrots that have been bred in aviculture is legal. Meyer's parrots are listed on Appendix II of theIn aviculture
Meyer's parrots are commonly bred for the pet trade. They are relatively quiet and small and are able to learn dozens of words.References
*Forshaw, Joseph M. and William T. Cooper. 1989. ''Parrots of the World''. Third (Revised) Edition. Landsdowne Editions, Melbourne. *Jordan, Rick and Jean Pattison. 1999. ''African Parrots''. Hancock House, Blaine, WA. *Wirminghaus, J.O., ''Meyer's Parrot''. In: ''The atlas of southern African birds''. Vol. 1: Non-passerines. 1997. .External links
* Meyer's parrot