People usually look up a Meyer’s Parrot when they’re weighing up a quiet-ish companion parrot, checking whether the care sounds manageable, or trying to confirm basic facts like size, lifespan and where the species actually comes from. Those details matter: get the habitat, diet or noise expectations wrong, and you can end up with a stressed bird and a frustrated household.
Meyer’s Parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) is a small African parrot with a steady, watchful manner and a streak of curiosity. The notes below correct the common mix-ups (it’s not from Madagascar or South America), and set out what’s known about its natural range, diet, behaviour, and long-term care needs.1, 2
Quick facts (at a glance)
- Scientific name: Poicephalus meyeri1
- Adult size: about 21–24 cm long1
- Adult weight: commonly around 100–135 g (varies by individual and subspecies)1
- Typical lifespan in care: often 20–25 years with good husbandry (some may live longer)1
- Noise level: generally quieter than many similarly sized parrots, but still capable of sharp calls1
- Talking ability: variable; some learn a small set of words, many remain limited talkers1
- Where they’re found in the wild: across a broad belt of sub-Saharan Africa, especially woodland habitats2
What a Meyer’s Parrot looks like
A Meyer’s is compact and stocky, built for quick, direct flight and agile climbing. The overall impression is smoky brown-grey, lifted by small flashes of colour: a yellow patch on the crown in many birds, yellow on the bend of the wing and thighs, and a blue-green wash over the lower belly and rump.1
Adults typically sit around 21 cm in length, with weights commonly in the 100–135 g range (individuals and subspecies vary).1
Habitat and distribution (and the common myth)
Meyer’s Parrot is not from Madagascar and it is not South American. It’s an African species, ranging widely through parts of central, eastern and southern Africa, with local highs and lows in abundance depending on habitat and pressure from people.2
In the wild, it’s most at home in woodland landscapes—dry savanna woodlands, riparian/gallery woodland along waterways, and other tree-rich country that offers both food and hollows for roosting and nesting.2
Diet in the wild and what to feed in care
Wild Meyer’s Parrots feed mainly on plant foods—fruits, seeds and nuts—sometimes taking other items opportunistically, including insects or grain where it’s available.2
For pet birds, aim for a diet that’s steady, varied, and not dominated by fatty seed. Many avian veterinarians recommend a quality formulated pellet as the base, supported by daily vegetables and smaller amounts of fruit, with higher-fat seeds and nuts used more as training rewards than staples.3
Simple, practical feeding pattern
- Daily: pellets plus a generous serve of vegetables (dark leafy greens, capsicum, carrot, broccoli, pumpkin).
- Several times a week: fruit in smaller portions (berries, apple, pear, melon).
- Occasional: nuts/seeds as high-value treats (especially for training).
- Always: fresh water, changed daily.
Behaviour and temperament
Meyer’s Parrots often come across as quietly busy birds—alert, observant, quick to investigate changes in the room. Many bond strongly to one person if social contact is narrow, so a wider, gentle social routine (multiple calm handlers, predictable interactions) helps prevent over-attachment and related behaviours.1
They’re frequently described as comparatively quiet for a parrot, but “quiet” still includes contact calls, morning and afternoon bursts, and the occasional piercing alarm note if something startles them.1
Housing, exercise and enrichment
A Meyer’s needs space to move, climb and flap properly, plus daily out-of-cage time if kept indoors. They do best with a steady routine and an environment that gives them safe work to do: shredding, foraging, climbing, and short training sessions that keep the mind occupied.1
- Perches: mixed natural diameters for foot health.
- Foraging: part of the daily ration hidden in paper parcels, cups, or foraging toys.
- Chew/shred toys: rotated often to prevent boredom.
- Light and sleep: consistent, dark, quiet sleep time helps reduce irritability and screaming.
Breeding and nesting basics
In the wild, Meyer’s Parrots roost and nest in cavities, including tree hollows. Captive breeding generally relies on compatible pairs, privacy, and an appropriate nest box, with careful attention to nutrition and veterinary oversight before and during breeding.2
If you’re keeping a single companion bird, breeding advice is less relevant than avoiding accidental nesting triggers (dark “cave” spaces, access to boxes, and high-calorie diets combined with long daylight hours).3
Common health issues (and what good care looks like)
Most serious problems seen in companion parrots trace back to preventable pressure points: an all-seed diet, limited exercise, chronic stress, poor air quality, and a lack of routine veterinary checks. Obesity and related liver disease are recurring issues in seed-heavy diets, while behavioural problems (including feather damage) often follow boredom or inconsistent handling.3
Book regular check-ups with an avian veterinarian, and treat sudden changes—sitting fluffed, tail bobbing, reduced appetite, new wheezing, or a drop in activity—as urgent. Birds hide illness until they can’t.4
Conservation status and threats
Meyer’s Parrot is currently listed as Least Concern globally, and it’s not considered globally threatened. Even so, local declines can occur where woodland is cleared, birds are persecuted as crop pests, or trapping pressure rises, so the picture changes from place to place across its wide range.2
The species is also listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates international trade to help prevent unsustainable exploitation.2
Keeping a Meyer’s Parrot in Australia: a quick reality check
Australia has strict rules around live animal imports. For live birds, you generally need to satisfy both environmental requirements (including whether a species is on the Live Import List) and biosecurity import conditions, and many species are not eligible for import at all unless permitted under the relevant frameworks.5, 6
If you’re considering a Meyer’s Parrot, the practical path for most people is to work with reputable Australian breeders and rescues rather than attempting any overseas sourcing.5, 7
Final thoughts
A Meyer’s Parrot is small, resilient, and often pleasantly understated—more woodland sentinel than clown. Given enough space, a balanced diet, and daily enrichment, it can be a steady companion for decades. The essentials are simple but non-negotiable: good food, clean air, room to move, and a household rhythm the bird can rely on.1, 3, 4
References
- World Parrot Trust — Meyer’s Parrot (Species information)
- World Parrot Trust — Meyer’s Parrot Research (Range, habitat, threats; IUCN/CITES notes)
- Veterinary Partner (VIN) — Feeding Pet Birds (General dietary guidance for companion birds)
- RSPCA — Pet bird welfare and care advice
- DCCEEW (Australian Government) — Live Import List (Wildlife trade)
- DCCEEW (Australian Government) — Do I need a permit? (Wildlife trade permits)
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australian Government) — Importing your pet bird
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australian Government) — Importing live animals and reproductive material
- Australian Border Force — Importing animals (overview and agency responsibilities)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom