The following information is a portion of an article written by Eric D. Hilton.
Similar to the Meyers in shape and size, but the body is of a brown wash not green or blue as in the Meyers. Also lacks the yellow band on the head as in some species of Meyers. The female has a blue lower back and rump and a dull blue abdomen. Sexually dimorphic again.
There are no subspecies as far as I am aware of these birds. They originate in South West Africa, stretching from Angola to Namibia.
Habitat. This bird lives on the open savannah or in dry woodland
Suitability as pets: I have no information as to their suitability. But feel I must state, that because of their rare status in captivity and the fact that more suitable birds at a more reasonable price are available as pets. The keeping of these birds, solely as pets should not be considered, until more captive bred birds are available.
Breeding in captivity: They lay normally 3 to 5 eggs. They lay with a two day interval between eggs incubation is carried out by the hen commencement of the incubation is usually after the 2nd or 3rd egg has been laid and lasts for about 30 to 31 days The young leave the nest at 9 weeks are independent at about 12 to 13 weeks. The nest box size recommended is 18" high by 10" square with a sloping platform from the entrance hole so that the birds do not drop straight in to the nest chamber. This again filled with a wood shaving and peat mixture. Success in breeding only seems to occur in outside aviaries and/or where there is an availability of Black Fly which seems to be the key to successful rearing of the young of this species in the early days.
Accommodation: Similar to the other small Poicephalus species but bearing in mind the information above.
Sexing: No problem here with adult birds, the female has a blue lower back and rump and a dull blue abdomen. the male does not.
Further information about these avicultural rarities can be found in previous articles written by Mr Alan Manning in Parrots Magazine.
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Last updated: February 01, 2002