Professor Lollipop
Bird ID: 7677
Species: Poicephalus
Sex: Female
Sub-Species: Cape Parrot
Adopted on 2024-12-07
Species: Poicephalus
Sex: Female
Sub-Species: Cape Parrot
Adopted on 2024-12-07
Hi, I`m Professor Lollipop, a female Cape parrot who`s about 23 years old. I was purchased as a fledgling in June of 2001 and lived in the same safe, healthy, comfortable household my whole life until coming to Mickaboo when my previous keeper couldn`t provide the care I needed anymore.
My species is of the genus Poicephalus, which means that my relatives live in sub-Saharan Africa. The Cape parrot species was recently split into two species, one of which has two sub-species. Using the current taxonomy, I -- and probably most "Cape" parrots who are kept as pets -- would probably be called Grey-headed parrots (you can read about the differences here), but, for now, we`re all still commonly referred to as Cape parrots in psitticulture. Mickaboo is fairly sure that I`m a female because of the orange coloration on the front of my head. We are the largest of the Poicephalus parrots, and I`m roughly the same size as a Timneh African Grey. By comparison, a Senegal Parrot is about the same size as a larger cockatiel.
I`m a fairly quiet, low-key bird who prefers ambient companionship much of the time and might prefer the company of men over women. I can get loud when nervous or excited, but am usually calm. I like my human companion to remain in eyesight and will call out, sometimes loudly, for my flock, though I`m learning that gentler flocking calls like whistling work just as well. I click, whir, and make a few people sounds, too.
My diet consists of Harrison`s pellets and Nutrian cakes, and I will at least try various fruits and vegetables. So far, I have nibbled at chop, but much of it goes on the floor. I like chewing up wooden blocks, but I prefer blocks that have grooves cut in them -- they`re easier to grip and have a more interesting texture.
As you can see, I`m a gorgeous and distinctive bird. I`d prefer to go to a home where I can have a lot of attention from a family with big-bird experience.