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Meyer's Parrot
Breed profile

Loro de Meyer

A small African parrot. Calm, playful. A good option for those who want a medium-sized parrot without the commitment of a giant.

Origin: África Sur-Central Size: Mediano Lifespan: 25-35 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Mizuu editorial teamupdated on October 14, 2026Not yet reviewed by a vet. Are you a vet? Review itReport an error

Ideal for

  • Families with time for daily interaction
  • Spacious homes (large birds need a room)
  • Those who accept a decades-long commitment (parrots are long-lived)

Reconsider if

  • ×Households with no time to socialise
  • ×Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise)
  • ×Homes with no space for flight

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Is the Loro de Meyer a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats
Suitable for first-timers
Good with children
Tolerates being alone
Energy level
Ease of training
Grooming needs
Vocalisation / noise
Ease of handling
Tolerates heat
Tolerates cold

Estimated cost of ownership

25-50 €/month

Pellets and vegetables 14-22 €; toys and enrichment 7-14 €; annual avian vet apportionment 7-14 €. A spacious cage and the bird itself as an initial investment.

History and origin

A Poicephalus from southern and central Africa, a relative of the Senegal parrot; a small, docile and hardy parrot, prized as a pet.

Temperament and character

Intelligence varies by species. Parrots form strong bonds with their humans. They need daily mental stimulation · NOT just a cage.

Living together

Children: depends on species + individual temperament. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except territorial species). **Larger pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.

Life stages of the Loro de Meyer

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 25-35 años.

Chick

0-3 months

Hand-rearing, weaning and growth

Juvenile

3 months-3 years

Socialisation, pelleted diet, taming

Adult

3-22 years

Weight control, behaviour, enrichment

Senior

22-35 years

Liver/kidney and locomotor check-ups

Care

Cage: at least twice the size of the bird with its wings spread. A dedicated room is better.

Feeding: SEEDS are NOT a complete diet. A combination of pellets + daily fresh fruit/vegetables.

Free flight: at least 1-2 hours/day out of the cage in a safe area.

Veterinary care: an avian specialist vet (exotic vet). Annual check-up.

Care in detail

Nutrition

Pellets for small/medium parrots as a base, with vegetables and some fruit. Seeds as a treat. Cuttlefish bone for calcium. Avoid avocado, chocolate and salt.

Grooming

Baths or mistings 2-3 times a week. Natural perches of varying thickness for wearing down nails and beak.

Training

A calm and highly intelligent Poicephalus parrot: it learns step-up, tricks and foraging with positive reinforcement. It is usually more sociable than the Senegal if handled by the whole family.

Exercise

2-3 hours a day out of the cage with chew toys and foraging. It enjoys climbing and exploring.

Breed-specific health

Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 25-35 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, consider that you will share your whole adult life with it.

Health predispositions for this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

Psitacosis (clamidiosis aviar)

Common diseases in birds

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

Intoxicación / envenenamientoFractura óseaHemorragia (sangrado importante)Psitacosis (clamidiosis aviar)Megabacteriosis aviarQuemaduras
See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Loro de Meyer

Recommended tests and screenings

  • PCR for psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci)
  • PCR for PBFD and polyomavirus
  • DNA sexing
  • Annual complete blood count and biochemistry
  • Faecal analysis and Gram stain of droppings

Prevention

A balanced diet of pellets plus fresh vegetables to avoid the hypovitaminosis A and obesity typical of a seed diet. Quarantine of new birds, a spacious cage and daily flight. Air free of Teflon fumes, tobacco and aerosols.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with an avian vet, including weighing and beak/nail monitoring.

Warning signs

  • !Ruffled plumage and lethargy
  • !Tail pumping when breathing
  • !Altered droppings
  • !Loss of appetite or weight loss
  • !Feather plucking

Loro de Meyer gallery

Foto de la raza loro meyer
Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Loro de Meyer

How long does a Loro de Meyer live?

▾
The life expectancy of the Loro de Meyer is 25-35 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Loro de Meyer weigh?

▾
An adult Loro de Meyer weighs between 100-135g, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is mediano.

Where does the Loro de Meyer breed come from?

▾
The Loro de Meyer originates from África Sur-Central. A Poicephalus from southern and central Africa, a relative of the Senegal parrot; a small, docile and hardy parrot, prized as a pet.

How much exercise does a Loro de Meyer need?

▾
The Loro de Meyer has media energy. **Cage:** at least twice the size of the bird with its wings spread. A dedicated room is better.

Is the Loro de Meyer good with children?

▾
**Children:** depends on species + individual temperament. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except territorial species). **Larger pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.

Who is the Loro de Meyer NOT recommended for?

▾
It isn't the right breed for: Households with no time to socialise. Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise). Homes with no space for flight. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

What health problems does the Loro de Meyer have?

▾
Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 25-35 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, consider that you will share your whole adult life with it.

How does it differ from the Senegal parrot?

▾
It is somewhat smaller, usually has a sweeter and more playful temperament and vocalises even less. Both are Poicephalus parrots very similar in their care.

Is it quiet enough to live in a flat?

▾
It is one of the quieter parrots in voice, suitable for a flat, although it has its moments of whistling at dawn and dusk.

How long does it live?

▾
Between 25 and 35 years with good care. It is a decades-long commitment that is worth planning for.

Is it a good bird for responsible beginners?

▾
Yes, among parrots it is one of the most recommended: manageable, healthy and not very noisy, provided it is given daily attention.

Does it need the company of another parrot?

▾
It is not essential if it receives daily human interaction; a well-cared-for Meyer's bonds very well with its family.

Learn more about birds

Practical veterinary guides to support your Loro de Meyer.

Bird guide

Parrots, budgies, canaries

Diet

Seeds vs pellets

All breeds

650+ profiles

Sources and references

Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.

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Loro de Meyer: care, diet and commitment | Mizuu