Per

Jardine's Parrot

(Poicephalus gulielmi)

by gloria scholbe
October 2001

Origins and Subspecies
Natural Habitat
Natural and Captive Diet
Health problems
Personality, Emotional Stages & Behavior
Characteristics & Buying Unweaned

Origins and Subspecies

Jardine's parrots originate from central Africa. They belong to the same species, Poicephalus, that also include Senegals, Meyers, Brown headed, and Capes. Three subspecies of Jardine's parrots are generally recognized. Joseph Forshaw and Thomas Arndt both mention a fourth, but neither is convinced that it is different enough from the nominate species to be considered a separate subspecies (race).

The nominate subspecies, Poicephalus gulielmi gulielmi, is more commonly known as the Blackwing Jardine's. Its origins are from between southern Cameroon and northern Angola and then East to south-western Uganda. (see map.) Its size at 240 - 260 grams is somewhat between the smaller fantiensis and the larger massaicus. Their orange on head and shoulders is a deep red-orange color. In the United States pure subspecies are considered to be quite rare, as some Jardine's breeders have crossed them with other subspecies. The cross breeding of subspecies produces a 'cross', not a 'hybrid.'

Greater is the common name given to the largest subspecies, Poicephalus gulielmi massaicus. Greaters range in size from about 280 - 330 grams. In addition to their large size, they are distinct for their proportionately smaller beak, small patch of orange on the head, and a vertical stance rather than the horizontal stance typified by the other two races. They occupy a small area located in the highlands of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.

Most common in aviculture is the smallest subspecies, Poicephalus gulielmi fantiensis. They are also called Lesser because of their smaller size, which ranges from 195 - 230 grams. This race develops large amounts of orange on head, shoulders and thighs. Its orange color is more of a yellow-orange as compared to the red-orange of Blackwings. Some Lessers develop wing color with very little green edging. This 'darkwing' color development can cause them to be confused with Blackwings if size is disregarded. Their natural range is from Liberia east to southern Ghana. This area includes the southern parts of Togo and Ivory Coast.

Natural Habitat

Jardine's inhabit tropical rainforests located on and just north of the equator. They do most of their foraging within an abundant variety of trees. Since they are opportunistic feeders, they do not rely on one specific type of food as their main diet. According to Thomas Arndt, opportunistic feeders typically feed in small groups of up to ten members, and this is true for Jardine's. When the food supply is abundant, more birds might congregate in a particular area.

Some South African trees and shrubs known to be attractive to birds may also be available within the Jardine's range. They include but are not limited to:
Carissa bispinosa - large plum like fruit; Diospyros lycoides - large red berries; Ehritia rigida - berries; Grewia occidentalis - small berries; Olea africana - (Wild Olive) olive berries; Rhamnus prinoides - small black berries; Rhus lancea - small green berries; Ilex mitis - fruit.

Diet

The foods upon which Jardine's managed to thrive, propagate, and evolve should be the guide for feeding them in captivity. This does not mean that we must provide the exact foods they foraged upon in their country of origin. It does mean that we need to provide the nutrient profile of those foods.

For example, if the natural diet of a species includes large amounts of beta carotene, then that species might have evolved to require more than other species of birds. This same holds true for higher fat - required by some macaws; vitamin K - relied on by fig parrots; vitamin D3 - needed by African greys; and fiber - healthy for eclectus.

Still, what we know about the nutritional requirements of each species is very limited. We are only aware of dietary factors that have had a relatively short-term impact on birds in captivity. An example is the problem that cockatiels have with visceral gout caused by excess vitamin D3 in the diet. Some dietary consequences are more subtle than that and may take much longer to become evident. Even though we cannot see the immediate effect of nutritional excess or insufficiency, it can still cause degenerative disease.

Four factors should be considered when developing a diet for Jardine's:

1. Natural diet
2. Special needs
3. Activity level
4. Available foods

1. Natural diet. According to Forshaw, Arndt, and reports from observers, Jardine's feed among trees on fruits, nuts, berries, seeds, and the occasional insect. Particular favorites are the fruits of wild olive, oil palm nuts and fruits, African fern pine fruits, cedrus fruits, seeds of the Tulip tree and flowers and seeds of Silky Oak. Two of the fruits mentioned are rather high in fat. They are fruit of the oil palm and olives. The fat from olives is monounsaturated. The fat from oil palm contains a varied fat profile and is high in carotenes.

Most fruits are low in fat, however, and consumption of those fruits will balance out the fattier fruits. They will also provide goodly amounts of carbohydrates and fiber. Some seeds are high in fat and others are low. Usually seeds that are high in fat are also high in protein.

It is difficult to find the nutrient profile of fruit and seeds that are not produced for human consumption. Podocarpus and cedrus seeds, for example, may have an analysis, but I couldn't find them. Overall, based on the foods they have been observed eating, I would speculate that Jardine's natural diet obtains at least 40% of its calories from fat. This will vary depending on available food sources where they forage. Protein and carbohydrates are probably around 30% each, but that will vary from day to day also. Foraging animals do not consume the exact same proportion of nutrients on a daily basis.

Jardine's have also been observed feeding on cultivated crops. They are especially fond of citrus, mango, olives, and ripe coffee fruit. The fact that Jardine's enjoy coffee fruit should not encourage bird owners to feed coffee to their birds. Once the fruit has been roasted and processed for use as a beverage, its nature has been changed and it will no longer contain the nutrient profile of the fresh fruit.

2. Special needs. Since Jardine's mainly forage in the trees, some plant components found in grasses and grains are foreign to this species. Also, their natural diet is rich in plant chemicals like carotenes and flavonoids that aid the body to resist certain diseases. Many of these substances are not found in grains. Thus, a grain based diet might not be a compatible source of nutrition for for them. Grains could even contain substances that are antagonistic to Jardine's health. This phenomenon has been demonstrated in humans with blood type O, for example, which evolved prior to the domestication of grains. Some of them experience health problems when they consume cereal grains.

3. Activity level. Jardine's in nature fly rather large distances from their nighttime roosting area to their foraging area. This involves a considerable expenditure of energy. In captivity, Jardine's do not have much opportunity for this particular exercise. So, loading them (or any other sedentary bird) with carbohydrates (potatoes, pasta, chips, crackers, cereal, etc) is neither necessary or advisable. Too many processed carbohydrates will simply raise their blood sugar levels, overwork the pancreas, and make them prone to insulin related diseases like diabetes and obesity. Large amounts of carbohydrates are mainly required by athletes whose bodies can quickly utilize the circulating sugars.

However, even in captivity Jardine's are playful birds that enjoy staying active. If Jardine's are offered sufficient cage size, exercise equipment like ropes, swings, and other toys, they can manage a healthy activity level that will burn off calories and enable them to maintain strength and muscle tone similar to that from foraging. I have never seen a fat Jardine's, although I did hear of one who had become obese. Normally, Jardine's can consume enormous quantities of food for their size. Mine eat as much or more than my amazons, which are much larger.

4. Available food. Most people will not be able to provide the exact diet that Jardine's subsist on in nature. Part of the reason is that we do not know everything they consume while foraging, nor do we know the relative amounts. Additionally, foods like Podocarpus seeds, and fruits of cedrus and oil palm are simply not available at the local grocery store. We can make reasonable substitutes, however. For example:

Variety The key is variety. If you limit your bird to apples, carrots, and seed mix, your bird will suffer from malnutrition. If you feed your bird the same food day after day, your bird will suffer from malnutrition. It may also develop an intolerance to those foods.

The only birds that can consume the same food day after day are those species which have evolved to subsist on that particular food. African grey parrots may have evolved to subsist mainly on the fruit of oil palms, but that diet would not be appropriate for Amazon parrots. That particular diet may not even be appropriate for African greys in captivity. Each species has its own nutritional requirements and those requirements are affected by lifestyle and environment.

The best chance a bird's caregiver has of providing for all the nutrients required by their bird is by either:
a. exactly reproducing the diet upon which the species evolved or
b. ensuring that the bird consumes a variety of foods. The same foods should not be fed every day. Foods should be rotated into and out of the diet over a period of time. See rotation diet example.

Pellets I am not going to knock manufactured diets altogether. They have their place. Although I am not fond of them, I use them as a part of my birds' diet. Since most pellets are grain based, they are inappropriate for certain species of birds which do not normally forage on grass and grain seeds. Other problems with pellets include:

They have an advantage over a straight seed diet because they contain nutrients lacking in seeds. Seeds, on the other hand, contain nutrients lacking in pellets. In addition, they are of a better quality than those contained in pellets. The fats in seeds, for example, are healthier than the heat damaged fats in pellets.

If you must feed pellets, choose one of good quality that does not contain artificial colors and flavors. Insure that the manufacturer uses organic ingredients to avoid contamination with pesticides. Neither straight seeds, straight pellets, nor a combination of the two should be considered a complete diet.

Diet Suggestion A good diet for Jardine's will include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and greens rotated into the diet. It will also contain a quality seed mix and some nuts. Cold pressed olive oil, unrefined red palm oil, and flax oil or ground flax seed should be added to complete the fatty acid requirement. Either pellets or a quality vitamin mineral supplement should be added. Green food supplements are preferred over either pellets or synthetic vitamins because they are in the form that is best utilized by the body and they will contain nutrients that we have not yet discovered. Green foods include spirulina, wheat grass, barley grass, and alfalfa.

A strategy to help ensure that Jardine's will eat fruits and vegetables involves feeding greens, fruits, and veggies in the morning when the bird is hungry. In the afternoon, after the bird has consumed these foods, give the seed and nut mixture. Remember that Jardine's are huge eaters so provide sufficient food for them to maintain weight.

Health Problems

Jardine's can become ill from the same microorganisms that affect other parrots. An excellent diet and minimal stress helps them to resist many disease infections. However, African parrots and other Old World parrots, including Jardine's, seem to be more susceptible to Pacheco's disease, Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD,) and Sarcocystis than are New World Parrots.

Pacheco's is a highly contagious virus. A vaccine is available, however some veterinarians do not recommend this vaccine because the adjunct, or carrier material, causes problems for some birds. Some conures and amazons can carry this virus without succumbing to it themselves, but when they start to shed the virus, susceptible birds around them die.

PDD acts like a virus and most likely is. There is currently no test, vaccine, or cure. Other diseases have several of the same symptoms as PDD and many birds have been misdiagnosed and euthanized because they were wrongly suspected of carrying this disease. The only way to confirm a diagnosis is by histopathology of biopsied tissue. Barium X-rays can be used to determine an enlarged proventriculus, but this test does not confirm presence of the disease.

Sarcocystis is caused by a protozoan parasite. It is not contagious from bird to bird. It is spread by insect vectors that have been infected from contact with contaminated feces. Grackles and opossums are part of the life cycle of this organism.

Aspergillosis
A disease of growing concern to Jardine's owners is Aspergillosis. (Aspergillosis is the disease. Aspergillus is the organism that causes it.) Aspergillus is a common fungus. Its spores can be found almost everywhere in the environment including soil and house dust. There are several strains of Aspergillus. A. niger causes black mold of food; A. oryzae is used to ferment sake wine, and A. wentii to process soybeans. A. flavus, A. niger, and A. fumigatus are pathogens which cause the disease of Aspergillosis.

In hosts with a weakened immune system, it can cause invasive pulmonary (lung) infection and may spread to other organs, including brain, skin and bone. It also causes allergic sinusitis and allergic bronchopulmonary disease. Humans, birds, and other animals can contract Aspergillosis. It is not contagious.

One Jardine's owner was in the habit of bringing her Jardine's to work with her. The building she worked in had experienced flooding. This created conditions that produced a heavy concentration of Aspergillus spores. Both the lady and her bird contracted Aspergillosis and had to be treated. The building was an environmental hazard and also had to be treated to get rid of the organism.

Several members of the Jardine's discussion list have reported Aspergillus infections in their Jardine's. Some of these birds died. Because of their alarm that Jardine's seem to be especially prone to Aspergillosis, Virginia Caputo and other members of the list researched this disease and posted an excellent article about it on their website. Aspergillosis and Jardine's.

Since the ultimate goal of Holistic Health is disease prevention, we need to consider why Jardine's seem to be prone to this disease. Of course, it is doubtful that Jardine's actually are 'prone' to Aspergillus infection. However, there could be some dietary or environmental factor in captivity that increases their susceptibility to this common fungus.

An early common belief was that amazon parrots were 'prone' to respiratory infections since so many of them became ill and died of respiratory system diseases. Further investigation led to the discovery that amazons require more vitamin A in their diet than is available in the mainly seed diets they were often fed. Vitamin A is a nutrient that strengthens immune system function. It is also responsible for the production of mucus, which protects mucus membrane tissue, including the respiratory system. Vitamin A is abundantly available in foods that amazons would naturally forage in nature. So, amazons became 'prone' to respiratory infections when the necessary nutrients were not supplied in their diets.

A similar scenario could be the case with Jardine's. Even though many Jardine's owners feed their birds an excellent diet including pellets, seeds, and produce, it is possible that nutrients specific to Jardine's health could still be missing. Here are some some reasons why:

One food that Jardine's consume in nature is olive fruit, which contains an active flavonoid compound, oleuropein. Oleuropein is found in olive leaf, fruit, root and bark. It is active against insects and bacterial diseases that can infect the tree. In addition, laboratory analyses of the compound isolated a substance in oleuropein that was active against all viruses screened, including herpes and viruses responsible for the common upper respiratory flu and stomach flu in humans. Research since that time has found activity against fungi and bacteria as well.

Oleuropein has demonstrated powerful antioxidant abilities. Hydroxytrosol, also an antioxidant, is obtained from the enzymatic cleavage of oleuropein. Their combined efforts against free radicals are greater than the commercial preservative BHT.

Unfortunately, much of the oleuropein has been removed from table olives by processing because the taste is bitter and unpleasant to Western palates. Some processing methods also involve the heavy use of salt, so feeding olives in this form to our birds might not be healthy for them. One way to provide oleuropein in Jardine's diet is to sprinkle powdered olive leaf herb onto the bird's soft food a couple of times a week as a supplement. Another way is to use cold pressed extra virgin olive oil as part of the essential fatty acid blend we feed our birds.

One vitamin that has an anecdotal protective effect on Jardine's susceptibility to aspergillus infection is vitamin E. According to one observer and breeder of these birds, adding Wheat Germ oil to Jardine's food has sharply reduced the incidence of Aspergillosis. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is readily available in most seeds and nuts.

Flavonoids and bioflavonoids are currently a subject of much study and research because of their health benefits. It is no coincidence that as the consumption of processed foods has increased, so too has the incidence of degenerative diseases increased.

Talk to any nutritionist and you will will be advised to increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and decrease your intake of refined and processed foods. This is true for us and it is true for our Jardine's as well. Different flavonoids can be found in different fruits and berries including:

many more. There are over 5000 of these compounds listed so far. Each contributes benefits toward maintaining a healthy body.

Another food that Jardine's forage in nature is fruit of the oil palm. Oil palm fruit is high in carotenes, which are a precursor to vitamin A. I've written about palm oil in a previous article about essential fatty acids. It is quite possible that Jardine's have evolved to require more Vitamin A in their diet.

Environmental factors can also have an effect on the respiratory tract. Unlike some parrots which evolved in semi arid regions of the world, Jardine's originated in semi-tropical rainforest country. Some of them roost at somewhat higher altitudes, but their foraging area is lower and more humid. Dry air makes respiratory tissue more susceptible to invading organisms unless the body can respond with physical adaptations to deal with that type of climate.

Beak Overgrowth

This is not necessarily a disease but rather a condition observed in some otherwise healthy Jardine's. Usually it is the lower mandible that begins to grow, preventing the upper mandible from closing to a natural position. Sometimes it prevents the bird from eating efficiently and can result in weight loss. In such cases, the beak must be trimmed to its normal configuration. It might also be helpful to provide plenty of wood to chew on so the birds can manicure their own beaks.

This rapid growth appears to coincide with hormonal fluctuations and is first experienced with sexual maturity. It may be a genetic adaptation useful to birds of breeding age who wear away their beaks while excavating nesting cavities. In nature it would be a survival characteristic.

Not all Jardine's possess this gene, if it is a gene. Of the eight breeding pairs I have had, only four of my birds displayed this characteristic. Since all of them are fed and housed the same, I doubt it is a reflection of diet or environment.

Beak overgrowth can also be a symptom of liver disease. A liver enzyme test can be performed by your avian vet to determine if this is the cause.

Personality and Behavior

Jardine's have the reputation of being nippy. Because of their large beaks, they can deliver a damaging bite. The best way to avoid this bite is by learning to understand what motivates it and then act accordingly.

I have been raising Jardine's since around 1991, and each year I try to retain one baby to put back into my breeding program. This has given me the opportunity to observe and interact with Jardine's as they grow and mature through their developmental stages. I have observed that most nippiness occurs after weaning and before Jardine's are 18 months old, but each individual matures at his own pace. The general stages of emotional development proceed somewhat like this:


First Emotional Stage ranges from about three to five weeks of age. Jardine's of this age experience a 'fear stage'. This is when they become aware of their extreme vulnerability in the nest/brooder. Their eyes are open and they recognize the handfeeder by clothing color. If an unfamiliar color approaches the brooder, they will growl loudly and try to escape. Familiar hands and voice can reassure them enough so they will take formula. If not, they could easily aspirate because they are busy growling instead of swallowing. It is very important to spend time talking to and handling them. However, they respond best if the same clothing color is worn.

The Second Emotional Stage begins during later handfeeding, and extends to sometime after weaning. In this stage they are very affectionate and outgoing. They fluff their feathers, slightly spread their wings, and make endearing baby sounds as they waddle toward you. Affection regurgitation is frequent. They cling like burrs. In nature, they would be out of the nest and starting to eat on their own, but they would still rely on their parents to watch over them and feed them. The sweet postures and behaviors of the babies help to retain the hormones and instincts in the parents that are nurturing them. Many people purchase their Jardine's when they are at this stage, right after weaning.

The Third Emotional Stage occurs when instinct drives them to leave parents and siblings and learn to establish their place in the natural flock. (This inclination might be a good reason not to hand-feed your own baby bird and not to purchase it right after weaning.) Now they must learn to survive and depend on themselves to watch for predators. They startle easily. They become suspicious and fearful. They are super-sensitive to changes in their environment. Every event becomes exaggerated in their minds. Anything could be perceived as a threat. Although this characteristic is desirable for survival in nature, it is not so desirable in companion birds. Each bird develops as an individual, so some from the same clutch will be less paranoid than others. Those that are more trusting might not have survived in the wild.

This stage is critical for less trusting Jardine's. Attempts to dominate and punish will destroy their fragile budding of self-confidence. Although some people say that Jardine's are Africa's Amazons, this is quite misleading. Jardine's do not 'bounce back' like Amazons because they do not possess the typical Amazon self-confidence. Jardine's remember a perceived injury, much as African greys do. Those who hurt or frighten them will be viewed as the enemy. It can take an emotionally damaged Jardine's months of gentle handling to recover from lost trust.

Posts and comments I have read from Jardine's owners tell me that those who experience the most biting problems with their birds are those who try to dominate them. They say things like: "I had to show him who's boss." or "I make him do step-up exercises every day."

Jardine's hate step-up exercises. I can take a bird who is in a good mood, make it do step-up exercises and within a few minutes have that bird ready to bite or fly from me. Call it anger, resentment, or retaliation if you wish to anthropomorphize. Step-up exercises are harassment. Why would any bird enjoy being with someone who turned every encounter into discipline and dominance? If you want your bird to be your friend, treat it with affection. Of course, if you have already established a relationship of distrust with your bird, it will take an extreme effort on your part to change your attitude and tactics in order to heal the damage.

Fourth Emotional Stage If Jardine's have been guided through their juvenile insecurities with love and understanding, they will be be affectionate parrot companions with no more inclination to nip than any other parrot. All parrots have their moods. Usually if Jardine's demonstrate anger or aggression, there is a reason. I have seen them become most aggressive when they are brooding eggs, caring for young, protecting territory, or defending their right of mate possession. At this time, they are very much like Amazons during breeding season.

I would describe the mature Jardine's as being emotionally consistent and honest. For example, I have seen both African greys and Amazons put head down and ruffle neck feathers inviting a head scratch. Then, when your finger is in reach, whip the head around to bite you. This has not been my experience with Jardine's. Jardine's are honest and direct when they are going to bite. An observant and sensitive person will be aware of an impending bite. Thus, it can be avoided by redirection.

My philosophy working with birds or horses, which are both prey animals, is to be patient, take time and not push. If a bird is in a bad mood then I choose not to pester it. Maybe the bird isn't feeling well or maybe my energies are too high. There are times when I would rather not be pestered myself, so I respect the bird's right to feel that way too. Friendship means having respect.

Characteristics

Expressive
Jardine's are the among the most expressive of any parrots I raise. I can read their 'facial' expressions from nasty to sweet. In addition to using beak and eye positioning, they tilt the head, pull in the neck, shrug the shoulders, wag the tail, raise the feathers, posture the body and spread the wings. Their language is rich in nuance and makes strong statements. It is not hard to read.

Affectionate
Jardine's can be incredibly affectionate. I have two mature hens, one about eight years and another of six years. Both of them are set up with mates but both still love my cuddles. They like nothing more than to be lightly hugged and are tail-shaking pleased when I scritch their necks and give several kisses on the the top of their heads.

 

My Eight year old fantiensis hen, Chile' is a proven breeder , excellent parent, and remains tame when not caring for eggs or chicks.

 

 

 

Playful
Jardine's love to play. One of their great delights is to swing, so be sure to provide one for your bird. They also love to play on their backs with toys in their feet. Because of this habit, they sometimes catch their wings in the cage grate and become trapped. They share this characteristic with Senegals, so using a cage grate may not be wise for these species.

Interaction with their human companions can involve playing tricks on them. One of my babies likes to pretend that he is falling from a play rope that is hung from the ceiling. His owner says he will dangle upside down from one foot, screaming in terror until she rescues him. The first time he did this, she nearly had a heart attack. Now it is merely an affectionate bonding game of which he never tires.

Sexual Differences
I cannot make a statement for all Jardine's, but what I have observed in the birds I raise is that girls are nippier as juveniles and boys are nippier as adults. However, males raised in a pet situation could be very different than those who have been paired from an early age. My pairing them could be responsible for the behavior I observe.

Talking and Noise
Jardine's produce a variety of sounds including a soft growl of affection, a louder growl of fear, soft musical song, and a shrill, irritating screech. I know of people who have rehomed their Jardine's because they were too noisy. One owner complained that their Jardine's could be heard at the park two blocks away. This was a bird that was left alone in the apartment much of the time, though.

Jardine's have a moderate talking ability but the words are seldom clear as are the words of Eclectus, Amazons, or African greys. Overall, males seem to have more talent then hens.

Selling Unweaned
Please neither buy nor sell unweaned Jardine's. For some reason, even experienced handfeeders have problems raising healthy, unstunted Jardine's. Perhaps the problem is that they feed formula too thin or not often enough.

One year I had to be out of town for two weeks and friends of mine who breed and raise many species of birds including Senegals, (but not Jardine's), offered to feed my Jardine's babies for me. When I returned, the babies were underweight and showed signs of stunting. On another occasion, the friend who originally taught me to handfeed, wanted to try Jardine's, so I gave her two babies to try. However, I did check on them daily. Twice I had to take them back home for a few days of handfeeding to bring their weights back up to normal.

If experienced handfeeders cannot deal with Jardine's metabolism, then the inexperienced certainly cannot. Selling unweaned birds of any species to an inexperienced handfeeder, means taking them from the hands of an expert and giving them to someone who will not be able to recognize when something is going wrong.

Another reason not to buy unweaned or birds that have just been weaned is that their next development stage involves fear and paranoia. This is when they are the most nippy. It would be best to purchase from a breeder who will keep them until they are past this stage. Look for a baby that is nine to eighteen months old.

Comparing to Other Species
Jardine's are:
1. Sensitive like African greys, without the moodiness.
2. Aggressive, like Amazons, during breeding season.
3. Cuddly, somewhat like Cockatoos, without the clinging-vine dependence, the volume of noise, or the dust.
4. Playful, like Conures, but much quieter.

Jardine's are my second love. This feisty, sensitive, bundle of affection and humor, called Jardine's, can easily win a place in your heart too.

References

Parrots: Their Life in the Wild by Thomas Arndt
Parrots of the World by Joseph M Forshaw
Parrots Their Care and Breeding by Rosemary Low
My Parrot, My Friend by Bonnie Munro Doane

Online
African Parrot Society
Aspergillosis and Jardine's
Central Africa Vegetation
 Flavanoids: Health Benefits and Bitter Flavors
Jardine's FAQs
Kroeger Herb Resources
Lexicon of Parrots
Poicephalus.org
The Treehouse