The Meyer's parrot is found only in the northern half of southern
Africa, where it is common in Zimbabwe and northern Botswana. It lives in
various types of woodland, usually near water. It prefers to eat seeds and nuts,
as well as fruit, flowers and, rarely, insects. It nests in tree cavities,
sometimes made by woodpeckers and barbets, where it lays 2-4 eggs, which are
incubated by the female for 29-31 days. The chicks are fed by both their
parents, who regurgitate the food upside down, to help facilitate regurgitation.
The brood stay in the nest for 60-84 days (recorded in captivity), and, once they have
left the nest, may still be dependent on their parents into the next egg-laying
season.
Distribution and habitat
Occurs from Chad and Sudan, through Uganda, Tanzania,
Angola and Zambia to southern Africa. Within southern Africa it is locally
common in north-eastern Namibia (including the Caprivi Strip), northern and
eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, northern Mozambique and north-eastern South Africa. It
generally prefers woodland, ranging from savanna and riparian woodlands to dry Acacia
scrub and miombo (Brachystegia) woodland, usually near water. Also occurs in woodlands dominated
by cluster-leaf (Terminalia), munondos (Julbernadia) and bushwillow
(Combretum).
Mainly eats seeds and nuts, husking small seeds and chewing
on larger food items. It is the only bird capable of cracking pods and seeds of
leguminous trees, so it benefits from a monopoly on this food type, with scarce
competition. The following food items have been
recorded in it's diet:
It nests in tree cavities 3-10 m above ground, which are
sometimes old nests of woodpeckers and
barbets. It sometimes uses the same nest
hole in multiple breeding seasons.
Egg-laying season is from March-August, peaking from April-May.
It lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated solely by the female for about 29-31 days.
The chicks are fed by both parents, who regurgitate the food upside
down, so that it comes out easier.
The brood stay in the nest for 60-84 days (recorded in captivity),
becoming fully independent just before the onset of the following breeding
season.
Threats
Not globally threatened, but its population has dramatically
decreased in South Africa and Zimbabwe due to habitat destruction.
References
Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ and Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Roberts
- Birds of southern Africa, VIIth ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker
Bird Book Fund, Cape Town.
