Jardine's Parrot aka Red-headed Parrots
Poicephalus
Jardine Parrots, Poicephalus gulielmi gulielmi, are native to Africa, specifically Southern Cameroon and Central African Republic to northern Angola. The Jardine's Parrot is endangered in its natural habitat and is, therefore, a protected species (CITES II).
The Jardine's Parrot is one of the largest of the Poicephalus.
There are three sub-species:
- Masai Red-headed Parrots
- Orange-crowned Parrots
- Kenya Jardine's Parrots (Sub-species - Orange Crowned above)
The Jardine is quite new to aviculture and few are available as pets. Breeding pairs average 3 to 4 eggs in a clutch and the incubation time is usually about 28 days.
The average lifespan of Jardine's Parrots may exceed 60 years, but little is known for certain as this species is relatively in aviculture.
Personality & Pet Qualities:
This species is great choice for those who want to "step up" to a mid-size parrot. Their energy level is moderate to high and they should be provided with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation (foraging).
Generally, they are animated, clowny birds that easily learn tricks. Their talking ability is excellent and human-like, with both the male and female being equally adept talkers. Even without any training, their vocabulary can get quite large and even more so with special training. They also quickly learn sound effects, such as phones, whistling, barking, and other sounds that may be typical to your household. Their vocabulary can become very large without any coaching, and I would imagine even larger with one on one attention.
Many may become pretty nippy though, so some training may be necessary; and they are heavy chewers and training is necessary to keep your pet from developing bad habits.
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
- Pet parrots generally present challenges, such as excessive chewing - especially at certain stages in their life. They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. Undisciplined parrots will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable. Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation.
- Web Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
Housing:
Cage:
This energetic parrots require a large amazon-sized cage with heavy duty bars as they have rather strong beaks.
Toys:
Multiple toys that withstand a good chew is also recommended, including rawhide, leather, sisal rope, twisted cotton rope and various foot toys.
Pedicure Perch:
A pedicure perch is recommended to keep its nails trimmed. Long nails can be very painful when digging into an owner's arm and they can get caught in clothing and toys.
Also please check out this webpage: The 3 Key Elements for Keeping Your Pet Bird Healthy and Happy
Diet:
They should be provided with a varied diet, including a base diet such as Harrisons, LaFever, Zupreem or Roudybush supplemented with nuts, fresh veggies and fruits everyday.
Their beaks tend to grow really fast and may need to be trimmed professionally. However, providing a couple of almonds a day will help keep the beaks trimmed.
Description:
The Jardines average about 8.9 ounces (250 grams) in weight and 11 - 11.2 ins (~28 cm) in length. This species looks similar to amazon parrots.
The general plumage is iridescent green with black scalloping on most feathers. The forehead, crown, bend and edge of wing, thighs are orange-red. The extent of orange to forehead is variable, and indeed may be completely absent in some birds. The red and orange markings tend to increase with each molt. The lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird's head) are black. In man birds, the sides of the head are tinged with black. The back and wing feathers are brown-black with a narrow green edging. The abdomen occasionally is tinged with blue. The lower back is yellow-green and the under wing-coverts are blackish with broad green edging. The tail is black-brownish. The Jardines have light are periophthalmic rings and their upper beak is horn-colored at the base. The remainder and lower beak is blackish. The irises are red and their feet dark grey.
Female look similar to male, but with slightly brighter plumage and more brownish iris.
Immatures don't have the orange-red to head, thighs and edge of wing; the green edging to feathers is narrower; and their breast and abdomen have a bluish tinge.
Common Diseases of the Jardines
Species Names:
Scientific: Poicephalus gulielmi gulielmi ... English: Jardine's Parrot, Red-headed Parrot ... Dutch: Kongo Papegaai, Oranjekoppapegaai ... German: Gulielmis Rotstirnpapagei ... French: Perroquet de Jardine
Sub-species:
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus gulielmi massaicus ... English: Masai Red-headed Parrot ... Dutch: Groene Congo Papegaai ... German: Reichenows Kongopapagei ... French: Perroquet de Massai ... CITES II - Endangered Species
Description: As gulielmi, however green plumage slightly paler; usually much less orange-red to head, reduced to small patch to forehead in many birds; cheeks more greenish; abdomen without bluish tinge; back feathers with broader green edging. ... Length: ~28 cm (11-11.2 ins)
Distribution: Inhabits the highlands of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus gulielmi fantiensis ... English: Orange-crowned Parrot ... Dutch: Neumanns Kongo Papegaai ... German: Neumanns Kongopapagei ... French: Perroquet de Fanti ... CITES II - Endangered Species
Description: As gulielmi, but plumage generally paler; forehead and crown orange; completely absent in some birds (may apply only to males); bend of wing and thighs without orange-red in most birds; green edging to back and wings broader; iris brown; smaller. Sub-species described by Neumann as permistus does not consistently differ from nominate type sufficently to justify classification as sub-species. ... Length: 26 - 28 cm (10 - 11.2 ins)
Distribution: Ghana, Cameroon west to Liberia
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
Kenya Jardine's Parrots (Sub-species - Orange Crowned above):
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus gulielmi permistus ... English: Kenya Jardine's Parrot ... Dutch: Kenya Papegaai ... German: Kenyapapagei ... French: Perroquet de Kenya ... CITES II - Endangered Species
Distribution: Highlands of Kenya, except in the south.
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