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They were quite common around the bird hide in Punda over the long weekend. Formerly they were id'ed as part of the Cape parrot species. Truely magnificent creature. I'll post some pics soon.

I only saw a group flying on the Mahonie loop and then they
took to a tree at least 100 meters away

Please post the picture

A bit far off, I'll post some others later...

Grey-headed Parrots, Poicephalus fuscicollis, have a wide range from northern South Africa through central to west Africa covering dry woodland habitats.


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The parrots breed in autumn and in the spring. The birds make use of cavities in trees or used nests made by other birds like rollers, preferring not to excavate nests themselves. The height of the nests recorded above ground level varied from 6-12 meters. Parrots in the Pafuri area breed in baobab trees that stand on little hills. This is probably because it is difficult for elephants to get there and cause damage to the nesting trees.
Clutch size vary from two to four eggs laid over a period of time (a clutch of three was laid over a period of ten days). The incubation period is between 24 and 28 days.
The baby birds lie on their backs when fed by the adults.


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Juvenile birds have orange foreheads, which is retained on adult female parrots and is lost from the male parrots on maturity. This sexual dimorphism enables adult birds to be sexed.

These parrots are extremely intelligent, at least as smart as African Greys. Expected life span is about 40 years.

The parrots’ role in “planting” baobabs is said to be underestimated… The testa or seed covering of the baobab seed is thick and tough but the parrot can damage it during feeding. That is said to help to absorb moisture and stimulate germination.