The Senegal is the best-known bird in the African Poicephalus family of parrots, which also includes the Jardine's and the Meyer's. It bears the family traits of a small body and pleasant disposition. Mostly green, the Senegal (Poicephalus senegalus) has a grey head and a golden breast bisected by a green "v-neck", which gives it the appearance of wearing a vest. The tail is short and pointed. The two subspecies, the red-vented parrot (Poicephalus s. versteri) and the orange-bellied parrot (Poicephalus s. mesotypus), vary only slightly in coloring. 

Countries of origin: The Senegal occurs in Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. The red-vented subspecies is found on the Ivory Coast and in Ghana and Nigeria. The orange-bellied parrot also occurs in Nigeria, and Cameroon and Chad. 

Size: Small but stout, at 9 inches long and about 140 grams, or 5 ounces. 

Personality: Playful and rambunctious with toys, cuddly and a bit bossy. Will menace smaller birds. Rarely noisy voice makes it well-suited to apartment life. 

Talking ability: Poor to moderate. 

Average lifespan: Up to 30 years.