Jardine's Parrots fresh water in the cage and then they jump right in. Poicephalus gulielmi Full spectrum fluorescent lights are Breeding and Behavior timed to natural outside light to give them a natural cycle. Regardless of by Gloria Scholbe this, they breed throughout the year. Living With Birds Aviary AFA WI State Coordinator Feeding and Weaning Babies jardine's are a pleasure to raise. I enjoy the fact that they eat like pigs. I find them easy to handfeed, but some VersatileJardine's Parrot have easy access to the babies when people seem to have trouble keeping jardine's are one of my favorite pulling them from the box. weight on them. I remember one inci­ parrots. I have chosen to focus most of A deep box requires a ladder so dent where a friend was feeding two my energy and interest on this species they can get out. The ladders are nec­ of my babies and they would drop because I feel they are more likely to essary but can be dangerous. One pair weight over a few days. I would bring remain with one family for their life­ of jardine's unhooked their ladder them back home and get the weight time. They have joyous personalities from the entrance hole and pulled it back on them, return them to her and and can fit comfortably in almost any inside the box. Since they couldn't get their breastbones would start to pro­ home or apartment. out, they became trapped inside. trude again. The scales would say they Rita Shimniok, jean Patison, and When they didn't consume their were gaining growth weight, but still others have provided expert informa­ favorite soft food, I investigated and they were losing flesh on their bones. tion on jardine's Parrots over the past noticed the missing ladder. Now I wire She fed thinner formula than I fed and few years. People are asking for more, the ladders to the boxes so they can't I think that was the problem. jardine's so I hope this will fill in some empty be detached. Another hen, belonging require a higher solid-to-liquid ratio spaces and contribute some added to a friend, got her open leg-band than some of the other birds that I perspective. caught on the ladder. She died there. feed, so people having problems keeping weight onjardine's should try Breeding Management thickening the formula. jardine's parrots are easy breeders. The diet I feed my jardine's is a Weaningjardine's is fairly easy. They They seem to show an interest standard healthy parrot diet. It consists usually nibble on fruits, vegetables, and between two and three years of age. of pellets that are always available, softer pellets while still living in the My pairs lay one to three eggs per fresh fruits and veggies, and occasion­ brooder. They love to eat and will glad­ clutch, and some would lay clutch al bean and rice-based soak and cook. ly sample warm soak & cook, sprouts, after clutch year round if I allowed My birds also love sprouts. Fresh, whole wheat bread, and anything you them to. Some pairs lay the next clutch clean water is supplied daily. care to feed them. One thing that I've by the time I have their previous Eventually I plan to feed my birds noticed about jardine's is their hearty babies just about weaned. After two or the natural diet outlined by Alicia appetite. They consume more food for three clutches, I remove the box to McWatters in her book: A Guide To A their size than any of my other parrots. give them a rest.' I love and value my Naturally Healthy Bird. Depending on They especially love squash, pumpkin, birds too much to wear them out with time constraints, it can be a difficult broccoli, peaches, carrots - veggies overproduction. diet to feed. If, however, you are able with a high beta-carotene content. Some pairs will breed in a small to do a twice-daily feeding, it is one One reason for this may be a parrot box, 10 inches square by 18 of the healthiest diets that I have requirement for more vitamin A to inches deep. Most, though, prefer a investigated. help them fight off aspergillus. Lately deep, dark, 8 X 10 inch square by 28 Even though my jardine's are not I've been hearing speculation that inch deep L-shaped box because it crazy about being misted, they do get jardine's are prone to contracting this provides the security that they seek. If a light misting a couple of times a fungal infection. More research needs the inspection door is placed on the week. What they prefer is to get quite to be done to determine whether they darkest side of the L(that is where the wet on their own, in their water dish­ are actually predisposed to the dis­ eggs will be laid, incubated, and es. They do not like to bathe in old ease or whether other factors are hatched), the human caretaker will water though. They wait until I place involved. Since there is a pOSSibility,

the afa WATCHBIRD 59 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIR­ always ensure that nestbox and ment. Every event becomes exaggerat­ CULATION (required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) I. Title of brooder bedding is maintained clean ed in their minds. Anything could be Publication: The AFA Watchbird. 2. Publication No. 0199­ 543x. 3. Date of filing 10/1199. 4. Frequency of issue: bi­ and dry. Also, avoid corncob bed­ perceived as a threat: monthly. 5. Number of issues published annually: 6. 6. ding, which has been analyzed with 1.To their place in the flock. Annual subscription (membership) price: $30. 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 3118 W higher levels of aspergillus spores 2.To their very lives. Thomas Rd #713, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ 85017­ than other bedding. Once they have weaned, Jardine's 5308, P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ 85079-6218.8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters I find Jardine's to be fairly agile can't seem to be peacefully housed or General Business Office of Publisher: American before they are fully feathered. In the Federation of Aviculture, Inc., P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, more than two per cage. They will Maricopa County, AZ 85079-6218. 9. Full Names and com­ brooder they will already perch on "hole" each other's beaks while fight­ plete mailing address of publisher, editor, and managing editor: Publisher: American Federation of Aviculture, Inc., their food crock. They start doing this ing. Two will gang-up on a third, and P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ 85079-6218. when they have green feathers on females pick on males. During the Editor: Sheldon Dinllie, P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ 85079-b218. Managing Editor: Sheldon Dingle, their wings and head but their body is post-weaning biting stage, females P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ 85079-6218. still covered with down. seem to get along best with females 10. Owner: American Federation of Aviculture, Inc., 3118 W Thomas Rd #713, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ 85017­ After they have been moved to a and males with males. I have only 5308, P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ cage and no longer fear their strange once been able to keep three of them 85079-6218. II. Known bondholders, mortgages, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of new environment, they climb all over in a cage together and all three were total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: NtA. the bars like pros. It's almost impossi­ females. Neither was more aggressive 12. For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at special rates: The purpose, function, and non-profit ble to keep these little darlings in the than any of the others. status of this organization and the exempt status for federal cage whenever the cage door is During this period, young Jardine's income tax purposes has not changed during the preceding 12 months. 13. Publication name: The AFA Watchbird. 14. opened. Warm little Jardine's bodies might instinctively leave parents and Issue date for circulation date below July/August, 1999. 15. will rush out the door and climb up siblings. Such an instinct would natu­ Extent and nature of circulation: A. Total number of copies: 5,500. Average number of copies each issue during the pre­ the front of mama's shirt. They love to rally prevent incestuous bonding. ceding 12 months: 5,500. B. Paid and/or requested circula­ be held, hugged, kissed....and fed! tion: I. PaidlRequested Outside-county mail subscriptions Most people purchase their staed on form 3541 (include advertiser's proof and Jardine's when they are at this stage or exchange copies). Average number of copies each issue dur­ ing preceding 12 months: 4,424. Actual number of copies of Four Emotional Stages just prior to this, when they are still in single issues published nearest to the filing date: 4,368. 2. and Behavior the affection/solicitation stage evolving Paid In-county subscriptions stated on form 3541 (include advertiser's proof and exchange copies). Average number of Basically, I have defined four major into the post-weaning/biting stage. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 64. Actual noticeable stages of emotional growth This post-weaning stage is the peri­ number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 63. 3. Sales through dealers and carriers, street ven­ in Jardine's Parrots od when many people encounter bit­ dors, counter sales, and other non-USPS Paid distribution. ing problems with their pets. Of Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 114. Actual number of copies of single issue pub­ Helpless / Fear course, each bird is different. The lished nearest to filing date: II4. 4. Other classes mailed First is the unweaned fear stage same clutch of birds might contain through the USPS (international). Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 130. Actual number when their eyes and ears have devel­ individuals that bite a lot and others of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: lOS. oped. They have a tendency to crowd that don't bite at all. Many "feisty" C. Total paid and lor requested circulation: Average number of copies each issue dUring preceding 12 months: 4,732. into a corner of the brooder trying to biters go on to develop captivating Actual number of copies of single issue published nearest to dig their way out of sight when some­ personalities as they mature. filing date: 4,653. D. Free distribution by mail, samples, complimentary, and other free copies: I. Outside County as thing new is occurring outside of the The reason people want to pur­ stated on form 3541. Average number of copies each issue brooder. during preceding 12 months: O. Actual number of copies of chase a just-weanedJardine's is so that single issue published nearest to filing date: o. 2. In-county they will be able to bond with it while as stated on form 3541. Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: O. Actual number of Affection/ Solicitation young. For Jardine's, though, this is a copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: o. 3. Second is the later handfeeding very critical stage of development and Other classes mailed though USPS. Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: O. Actual stage extending to shortly after wean­ can be the worst time for them to leave number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing ing. In this stage they are very affec­ the security of the place where they date: O. E. Free distribution outside the mail, carrier of other means: Average number of copies each issue during tionate and outgoing. They fluff their were raised and go to an unknown jJreceding 12 months: 668. Actual number of copies of sin­ feathers, slightly spread their wings, environment where they often are mis­ gle issue published nearest to filling date: 747. F. Total free distrib~tion: Average number of copies each issue during and make endearing baby sounds as understood. ~receding.12 months: 66S. Actual umber of copies of singles they waddle toward you. Affection Taking home an insecure Jardine's I~ue published nearest the filing date: 747. G. Total distrib­ ~tion: Average number of copies each issue during preced­ regurgitation is frequent. They cling Parrot can be a serious mistake for an mg 12 m~nths: 5,400. Actual number of copies of single like burrs. They are cute. inexperienced bird person. They have ~u~ published nearest to filing date: 5,400. H. Copies not distrib~ted: Average number of copies each issue during no idea how to deal with the biting prec~ding 12 ~onths: 100. Actual number of copies of sin­ Post Weaning and end up creating a behavior prob­ gle ISSue published nearest to filing date: 100 I. Total: Average. number of copies each issue during preceding 12 The third stage is when they would lem from what was a normal juvenile ~onths. 5,500. Actua,! number of copies of single issue pub­ lished near~st to. filing date: 5,500. Percent paid and/or be establishing their place in the nat­ phase. One frustrating conflict after req~ested ctrc~ation. Average number of copies each issue ural flock. They test and bite. Now another will cause the relationship to d~ng pre~ding .12 months: 86.03%. Actual number of copIes of smgle Issue published nearest to filing date' they must learn to survive and depend deteriorate until the bird is sold or 84.60%. I certify that the statements made by me are correct on themselves to watch for predators. given away. and complete. Sheldon Dingle, Managing Editor. They startle easily. They become sus­ Part of the problem is that people picious and fearful. They are super­ still are following old misguided ideas sensitive to changes in their environ- developed for dealing with Amazons, 60 November/December 1999 conures, and macaws. New World par­ rots have different personalities than Old World birds, especially those orig­ inating from Africa and the Pacific Island groups. Trust building is the most critical aspect of developing a relationship with Jardine's. Positive reinforcement for good behaviors is a close second. Aversive and dominance behavior modification techniques or repetitive disciplinary exercises is one of the The American Federation ofAviculture's fastest ways to irritate, anger, and lose the tru t and friendship of a Jardine's Parrot. If dealt with in a positive fashion, the biting stage will pass and evolve ~ ~~ ~g;). into a lasting, affectionate relationship. Consequently, the behavior modifica­ Leaving a Legacy to the Future tion I am most fond of is changing the behavior of the owners. Birds them­ For Further InfortIlation on How to Participate selves are seldom the real problem. If treated in a manner that they Through Honoraria and Bequests, Please Contact regard as betrayal or aggression, it will Jitn Hawley, Jr., AFA ChiefFinancial Officer takeJardine's a long time to regain lost trust. Why? Because they are prey ani­ P.O. Box 56218 mals and anything that behaves like a predator is not to be trusted. This is a Phoenix,AZ 85017 survival characteristic. Post-weaning biting should not be confused with challenging for domi­ nance, which is not seen in Jardine's Yes, count me as .. ~'.'<~+ until they are closer to breeding age. Dominance issues require a slightly a member of the (:1"7)OF A'II\<' stronger appro~ch and do include lim­ ited discipline exercises like step-up commands along with positive rein­ American Federation of Aviculture forcement for good behavior. I think P.o. Box 56218, Phoenix, Arizona 85079-6218 that those who mistakenly apply harsh Phone (602)484-0931 Fax (602) 484-0109 discipline will end up selling emotion­ THE WATCHBIRD IS THE OFFICIAL BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AFA, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ally damaged birds as uncontrollable, and in the process, giveJardine's a bad Please accept my application for membership in the American Federa­ name that they do not de erve. People tion of Aviculture. Send me 6 issues (1 year) of the a.f.a. WA TCHBIRD without the experience or patience to magazine, and a membership card which entitles me to all the rights and privileges of AFA membership. work through this stage should look for a breeder who keeps babies until Check membership category desired: NEW 0 RENEWAL 0 the biting stage has been resolved at Individual $30/year 0 Family $35/year 0 Supporting $50/year 0 eight months to a year ofage. Jardine's Commercial $1 aD/year, includes listing in WATCHBIRD 0 are well worth the wait. FOREIGN MEMBERS: Add $18 for year In U.S. Funds. First Class rates available on request. request. Secure/Mature o My check is enclosed for $ 0 My money order is enclosed for $.. _ Once past that insecure juvenile Name ~ Charge my MC or VISA account: 0 MC 0 Visa stage Jardine's are far less moody than Address _ Account# _ some Greys. Even at sexual maturity they are far less aggressive than some City _ Exp.Date _

Amazons. None of my Jardine's has State Zip _ Signature had a mysterious bout of "bad mood Please allow 60 to 90 days for delivery for no reason" as my Congo, Digger, Telephone _ AREA Prices effective January 1, 1996 does. If they are mad, there is a reason.

the afa TCHBIRD 61 CD .0 Usually it is when I have handled (5 ..c o another bird in front of them. Once en .§<'IS they have "punished" me, they bounce a~ ..~~::=:-.A' back and are happy to be on good >. .0 o terms again. '0 ..c a. I would describe the mature Jardine's as being emotionally consis­ tent and honest. For example, I have seen both Greys and Amazons put their head down and ruffle their neck feathers, inviting a head scratch. Then, when your finger is in reach, they whip their head around to bite you. Jardine's do not do that. I consider this behavior "dishonest and sneaky" - not a Jardine's characteristic. Jardine's are honest and direct when they are going to bite you. If you are at all observant ofbody language, you will know when a bite is coming and thus avoid it. Four of my Jardine'S express their anger in the arne way. They usually thump their beak repeatedly on some object while looking intently at my Mature pair ofthejardine's Parrot. face as if to display their anger. If I pre­ sent apologetic and placating behav­ ior, their anger seems to disappear. During this stage it would be safe to Weight Progress Chart apply some discipline to birds that are willful and misbehaving. Step-up exer­ Comparing weights ofJardine's subspecies P. g. jantiensis babies, the fol­ cises to establish nurturing guidance or lowing are average clutch weights on pull day and again at eight week . Clutch a strong wobble ofthe hand to prevent ize was 1-3 babies. getting bitten would not be out of place here. The mature Jardine's Parent bird Date hatched Weight at pulling Weight at liB. wk would not regress to utter paranoia with moderate and well-placed correc­ Jules/Jem hatching: 3/15 pull: 4/1- 109 gms 8 wks: 213 gms tion at this point. However, if you have done your job of building trust at the Jester/Jet hatching 4/12 pull 5/10 - 142 gm 8 wks: 232g1TI earlier stages, correction will not likely be necessary. Java/Jive hatching 5/21 pull 6/11 - 133 gm 8 wks: 220 gm jardine's make great companions. I consider them to be an ideal addition Java/Jive hatching 9/1 pull 9/22 - 138 gms 8 wks: 210 gms to any family, once they have passed the biting stage. Their sheer joy of life Jules/Jem hatching 3/4 pull 3/31 (not weighed fed by friends hile is contagious and makes you smile to I was out of town. 5/27 I got them back, weight 189gm . Thin, Sick.) watch them. They love to swing pumping higher and higher as they Java/Jive hatching 6/10 pull 6/30 - 126 gm 8 wks: 210 gm play. Larger than Cockatiels or Senegals Jester/Jet hatching 6/25 pull 7/26 - 160 gms 8 wks: 214 gms and smaller than Amazons, they are the perfect size for handling. Being Jester/Jet hatching 5/25 pull 6/22 - 134 gms 8 wks: 223 gm held, stroked, lightly squeezed, ki sed, and protected in your hands is their Jules/Jem hatching 7/1 pull 7/23 - 102 gms 8 wks: 221 gm fondest desire. Neither personality nor plumage of Jules/Jem hatching 1/21 pull 2/16 - 124 gms 8 wks: 209 gm Jardine's can be described as dull. Black onyx and iridescent jade transfonn Peyton/Kimi hatching 7/18 pull 8/13 - 138 gms 7 wk : 251 gm them into feathered jewels. As they mature, blazing orange sets off crown

62 November/December 1999 3. Jardine's are cuddly - somewhat like cockatoos - without the clinging­ vine dependence, the volume ofnoise, or the dust. 4. Their clown-like playfulness and congeniality is like that of a Conure, but much quieter.

Jardine's are great, relatively quiet birds. This does not mean that they do not make noise. They do. Compared to several other species, however, they are quieter. Jardine's are, in my opinion, as close as you can come to a perfect parrot. That is not to say thatJardine's are per­ fect. Nothing is perfect. If, however, you judge the different species by char­ acteristics of noise, dust, emotional bal­ ance and honesty, size, self-entertain­ ment, charisma, personality, destruc­ tiveness, bite damage, and talking abili­ ty, Jardine's compare well to other par­ rot species. ImmatureJardineJs Parrot (left) with an immature Senegal Parrot. I breed Amazons, Greys, Senegals, Meyer's, Eclectus, andJardine's. By far, my favorites are the Jardine's. If I and shoulders for a final stunning effect. Once I discovered this technique about could have only one bird as a pet, it When such jewel hues are worn by five years ago, the worst biting prob­ would be aJardine's Parrot. My second birds possessing the over-large beak lems seemed to just disappear. choice would be an Eclectus, but that and stocky body ofJardine's, the color This is how it works. Hold the bird is another story. ~ become as light hearted and comical as gently to your chest near your heart. a circus clown. What perfect garb for Your hands are surrounding the bird's this playful parrot. back and sides, and the bird's chest is Advertisers Index More than any other parrot I've met, resting on your chest. Now start to Jardine's carry" about them the aura of croon and talk quietly to your bird. AMR Laboratories 37 darling, delightful, descendants of Continue the gentle, quiet murmuring Assoc. of Avian Veterinarians 23 dinosaurs. Would you like to have one until the bird relaxes. Avian Adventures Inside Front Cover become your friend? Here's how. If thi embarrasses you, do it pri­ Avian Publications 12 vately with your bird; he won't tell. (If Cuttlebone Plus 39 Love Your Bird with CBC you are afraid of getting your hands Everybody's Bird Mart (Pomona, CA) . 25 (Close Body Contact) bitten, use a towel to protect your It is hard to love something that is hands. I have never had a bird bite my Gabriel Foundation (The) 21 biting you, but it can be done. I spent chest while doing this. You can try this Grubco 25 several years making painful mistakes with a fighting, screaming bird but if it Hagen, Rolf C. (USA) Corp.-Tropicana .27 with Jardine's and other members of fights too much then just put it back Humidaire Incubator Company 21 the Poicephalus family of parrots by into the cage until it calms down. Lady Gouldians/Dalrymple 42 forcing dominance exercises on them. Lima's Exotic Birds 37 They hated and feared me and could Comparing to Other Species L & M Bird Leg Bands 19 not be sold as pets. It took a while for From everal years of observations Lyon Electric Company. Inc 57 me to find a better way because I wa I've concluded that: Magnolia Bird Farm 12 reading the articles and following 1. Juvenile Jardine's are similar National Avairy...... 9 advice inappropriate for the species. emotionally to the sensitive African Red Bird Products, Inc 42 When I started thinking for myself Grey but without the occasional Sun Seed Co. Inc Back Cover based on what I observed in the birds intense moodiness. Timberline 19 it started working. 2. Mature Jardine's could be com­ Veterinarian Listings 43 One of the best way I have found pared to the self-assured, outgoing Veretinary Speciality Products, Inc 28 to soothe an angryJardine's or reassure Amazon without the insane breeding W. W. Swalef & Son 5 a frightened one is Close Body Contact. season aggressiveness or the screaming.

the afa TCHBIRD 63 "Never thought that I'd own a bird. Dogs are more my style, but then my girlfriend Sylvia and I saw this yellow bird in the pet store in the mall. It was kinda fun to watch. It climbed all around the cage and every time I came near, it stretched For more information contact us at: out its neck and made this funny Sun Seed Company, Inc. • RO. Box 33 Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 "Rrrrrrooow, Rrrrrrooow" sound www.sunseed.com and made it's eyes real small. I must have stood there watching that bird for an hour before they finally kicked us out ofthe store at closing time. Two weeks later Sylvia gave me that bird for my birthday. I named her Sunshine and we've been best friends ever since...well, second to Sylvia of course. Just like my girlfriend, Sunshine listens when I need to talk and she makes me laugh, however she doesn't expect me to buy her a ing. I do what can to be sure un hine is happy and healthy. That's why I feed her Sun Seed Vita Hookbill Fruit & Veggie Formula. As my next best friend she deserves nothing but the best...