Jardine's Parrot

• ExerciseModerate

  Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment30–40 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Respiratory issues · Obesity · Feather plucking

Jardine's Parrot (Poicephalus gulielmi), also called the Red-fronted Parrot, comes from the mountain and lowland forests of central and west Africa. At 200 to 300 grams it is the largest common Poicephalus, and it is frequently described by keepers as the closest thing to an African grey in a smaller, hardier and less neurotic package: intelligent, observant, a decent talker and unusually calm. The temperament is the main appeal. Jardine's are gentle and steady, quieter than an Amazon or conure, less prone to sudden hormonal swings than the larger parrots, and typically comfortable with several people in a household rather than fixating on one. They can be reserved with strangers and are slower and more deliberate in play than a caique. They are curious problem-solvers and will work at a foraging puzzle for a long time, which makes enrichment easy and rewarding. House in a good-sized cage with hardwood perches and daily out-of-cage time, and keep a rotation of destructible toys and puzzle feeders. The dietary caution for this genus applies here: Poicephalus parrots evolved in dry country on low-fat food and become obese and fatty-livered on sunflower-heavy seed, so feed formulated pellets with vegetables and dark leafy greens and treat nuts and seed as rewards. Provide regular bathing, keep the air clear of non-stick fumes, aerosols and smoke, and see an avian vet yearly. Expect thirty to forty years.

• How much activity does a Jardine's Parrot need?

  Moderate. Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• How much feather care does a Jardine's Parrot need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Jardine's Parrot need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Jardine's Parrot a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Jardine's Parrot live?

  30–40 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Jardine's Parrot?

  Keep an eye out for Respiratory issues, Obesity, Feather plucking. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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