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Timneh Parrot

 (Psittacus timneh)

Also known as: Timneh Grey

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Wild Timneh Parrot
© Rowan Martin

Did You Know?

P. timneh was once conspecific with (a subspecies of) P. erithacus.


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WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn more

Academic Research

Related publications: Psittacus timneh

Species Profile

Genus: Psittacus | Species: timneh

Size:

30cm (11.7 in)

Weight:

320g (11.2 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

one

Colour Adult:

Both adults dark grey in colour, paler on rump and abdomen than Grey Parrot; dark grey lower undertail coverts tinged with dark red; dark burgundy tail, the feathers edged with brown. Upper mandible dark red tipped with black, lower mandible black; smaller in size than Grey Parrot.

Colour Juvenile:

As in adults but with grey tinged lower undertail coverts; tail tipped with red. Eye dark grey to black.

Call:

Variety of whistles, squawks, shrieks, and screams given at rest and in flight; mimics other birds, and mammals.

Listen Now

Video Links:

Video 1

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Timneh Parrot
© Rowan Martin

Did You Know?

P. timneh was once conspecific with (a subspecies of) P. erithacus.


Programs & Projects

WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn more

Academic Research

Related publications: Psittacus timneh

Species Care

Captive Status:

Heavily imported with high mortality. Is taken for markets locally and the middle and far east. From 1994-2003 over 359,000 individuals (erithacus and timneh combined) were traded on the international market.

Longevity:

50-60 yrs

Housing:

Aviary or suspended cage, minimum length 3m (9.8 ft).

Diet:

Cooked beans and pulses, boiled corn, sunflower seed - dry, soaked or sprouted but limited; fruit such as: apple, orange, banana, pomegranate, pear; rearing food (hard boiled egg, wholegrain bread and carrot); vegetables such as: carrot, celery, green beans and peas in the pod; spray millet; complete kibble.

Enrichment:

Provide overhead misters or shallow water bowls for bathing; foot toys, destructible (non-toxic) toys, non-destructible (non-toxic plastic) toys, food-finder toys, preening toys, different texture and size hanging perch toys; fir, pine, elder or willow branches, push-and-pull toys (sliding up and down), vegetable tanned leather toys. Introduce with care, as some Timnehs are sensitive to novel things.

Nest Box Size:

Vertical box 12" x 12" x 24" (30.5cm x 30.5cm x 61cm).

Clutch Size:

2-3

Incubation Time:

28-30 days

Fledging Age:

11-12 weeks

Hatch Weight:

12g (0.5oz)

Peak Weight:

418g (14.6oz)

Weaning Weight:

372g (13oz)

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Timneh Parrot
© Rowan Martin

Did You Know?

P. timneh was once conspecific with (a subspecies of) P. erithacus.


Programs & Projects

WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn more

Academic Research

Related publications: Psittacus timneh

Species Wild Status

World Population:

100,000-500,000, decreasing.

IUCN Red List Status:

Endangered

CITES Listing:

Appendix I

Threat Summary:

The species has been heavily traded on the international market: 199,070 individuals have been exported from 2005-2014. Habitat loss (up to 77%) is also significantly impacting the species' range. In Guinea and Guinea-Bissau there have been marked losses of the birds' preferred nest trees.

Range:

The western parts of the Upper Guinea forests and bordering savannas of West Africa, from Guinea-Bissau east through Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia to east of the Bandama River in Côte d'Ivoire.

Habitat:

Found in primary and secondary rainforest, forest edges and clearings, gallery forest, mangroves, savanna and cultivated land.

Wild Diet:

Diet includes a variety of fruits and seeds, particularly oil palm fruit, also consumes Cola tragacantha, Pseudospondias microcarpa, Ficus, Heisteria, Dacryodes, Petersianthus, Combretum, Macaranga, Raphia, Harungana, Ceiba, Blighia, Bombax, Celtis, Caccia, Petersianthus, Parkia, Terminalia and maize.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Will sometimes travel far distances for food. Nests in tree-cavities far above ground. Found in small flocks of a few dozen, usually not more. Flocks may be noisy.

Clutch and Egg Size:

2-3

Breeding Season:

During dry season, January-February, and June-July. Nest is in high, live tree in hollow.

Related Links:

Wikipedia

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Timneh Parrot
© Rowan Martin

Did You Know?

P. timneh was once conspecific with (a subspecies of) P. erithacus.


Programs & Projects

WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn more

Academic Research

Related publications: Psittacus timneh

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