The Red Bellied---Poicephalus rufiventris

The following information is a portion of an article written by Eric D. Hilton.

---

The Red Bellied is similar in shape and a slightly larger bird than the Senegal and the Brown headed but here the sexes are sexually dimorphic (that means different). A green/grey colored bird with green under parts except for the cock bird which has as its name suggests "a deep orange belly" (who comes up with these names) ? It is also differentiated from the other 2 by having red iris not yellow as in both the Senegal and the Brown headed.

There are possibly two sub species of this bird:

• Poicephalus rufiventris rufiventris: The nominate, its range is from Ethiopia, south to north eastern Tanzania.


• Poicephalus rufiventris pallidus: This is supposed to be paler than the nominate race and comes from Somalia into Ethiopia but possible examples of this have not been identified satisfactorily as yet.

There is also a particular feature of some examples of Red Bellied parrots, that has not yet been satisfactorily answered. That is, some have paler eye rings than others, this is being investigated by members of the Poicephalus Section. As to whether this is, the pallidus subspecies or not, or even yet another subspecies.

Habitat: Lives in dry woodland and the open savannah

Suitability as pets: As with the other poicephalus, these birds make very good pets. For some reason, many cock birds I have seen have been good talkers, but with only a limited vocabulary. I have however never heard a hen speak but I can see no reason why this is so. I don't feel at present, because of the situation regarding the shortage of cock birds that they should be kept as solitary birds. So if you do want one of these birds as a pet consider a hand reared hen and teach it to speak and let me know.

Breeding in captivity: It is commonly accepted like the Senegal and Brown Headed, that these birds will not breed until they are about 3 to 4 years of age. The Red Bellied like most of the Poicephalus species breeds in our winter months. They lay normally 4 eggs. They lay with a two day interval between eggs. Incubation is carried out by the hen and lasts for about 27 to 28 days dependent on the ambient temperature. Commencement of the incubation is usually after the 2nd egg has been laid. The young leave the nest at approximately 9 weeks and are independent at about 12 to 14 weeks. The nest box size I can recommend is a bit larger than the Senegal at 24" high by 10" square again filled with a wood shaving and peat mixture of three parts shavings to one part peat by volume.

Accommodation: Similar to the Senegal, they can be kept in cages or aviaries. Inside or outside or as I prefer a combination of the 2 with an outside aviary connected to a suspended inside cage so the birds have a choice. They are fed inside. This keeps most of the food remnants in the inside accommodation so making cleaning easier. This also keeps the food dry and uncontaminated and helps to reduce the problems associated with vermin etc.

Sexing: Easy, in adult plumage the cock has a orange belly, the hen has a green one. Young birds of both sexes have an orange wash to the belly. But an experienced breeder of these birds will be able to sex them for you.