Info
Congo parrot, or Jardine parrots, are native to the African continent. Due to their ability to imitate, birds are often chosen as pets. In addition to their intelligence and calm nature, they are distinguished by good adaptive properties – they are easily tamed and quickly become attached to the place where they are kept. Due to high demand among connoisseurs of exotic birds, birds are captured from the wild, which has recently caused a significant blow to the number of wild populations.
Appearance and features
| Name | Congo parrot Poicephalus gulielmi |
| Synonyms | Congo parakeet, Red-fronted parakeet, Jardine |
| Length | From 0.25 to 0.3 m |
| Adult weight | 0.2-0.3 kg |
| Color | The main plumage is green, the tone of which varies depending on the subspecies. There are also feathers of yellow, red, orange, and brown colors. |
| Beak | The bottom is dark gray, the top is light gray, and the base is black, curved towards the bottom. |
| Eyes | Around the dark iris of the eyes there is a wide light strip of cornea without feathers. |
| Tail | Short, black, square in shape. |
| Sexual dimorphism | Determined by DNA analysis of the feather or internal examination of the cloaca. |
| Distinctive feature | There are noticeable patches of orange-red color on the head, wings, and thighs. |
| Status | This species is protected by CITES due to its threat of extinction. |
Habitat
The modern classification divides Congo parrots into 3 subspecies, which have slight differences in color and also differ in habitat:
- Poicephalus gulielmi, river basin Congo, Puerto Rico;
- Poicephalus gulielmi fantiensis Neumann, from Liberia to Cameroon;
- Poicephalus gulielmi massaicus: mountains of Kenya and Tanzania
Life in the wild
They live in small flocks of up to 10–15 individuals. For living, they choose lowland tropical forests or mountain forests up to 0.7 km above sea level. Sometimes they fly into coffee plantations.
The main diet is pine nuts, berries, and oil palm fruits, but they also happily eat seeds, fruits, flowers, and small insects.
The breeding season varies by region.
- Autumn: Tanzania;
- Spring-summer, Kenya;
- Autumn: Congo.
The female lays up to four eggs, which she incubates for 1 month. Both feathered parents are involved in feeding the offspring. After 2 months, the grown and strengthened chicks leave the nest.
Lifespan
Scientists believe that under favorable conditions, wild red-fronted parrots live up to 60 years, and in captivity, up to 30. But there is no confirmation of such assumptions yet.
Keeping at home
The Congo parrot is a friendly bird that quickly gets used to its owner, can be trained, and plays a lot. However, it is necessary to remember some negative traits of Red-fronted birds:
- Tasting tendencies: these parrots taste everything and can ruin furniture or other household utensils.
- Loudness (especially often manifested if there is little communication with pets).
- Biting (can bite the owner when trying to manipulate in order to obtain a treat).
Arrangement of the cage
For Jardines, it is better to equip a large cage or aviary, despite their average size.
Recommended housing sizes for birds are from 0.80×0.50×0.70 m.
Required equipment:
- feeders;
- drinking bowls;
- poles;
- bathtub;
- toys;
- swing;
- stairs.
Clean the cage weekly, but more often if necessary. Every month, it is advisable to carry out a general cleaning with complete disinfection and washing of all equipment.
Care and nutrition
Jardine parrots are not picky about their care. Birds do not need constant communication but will always welcome human company.
The diet differs little from that of other species of parrots, with the exception of fat. They will need to increase the number of sunflower seeds and sunflower oil.
The main diet is grain (up to 70% of the total food).
- wheat;
- oats;
- barley;
- canary seed;
- millet;
- sunflower;
- hemp;
- lentils.
In addition to grains, nuts, berries, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and twigs are added to the diet.
During the mating season, you should enrich your diet with proteins: white bread, boiled eggs, and yogurt.
To replenish the mineral balance, birds are given vitamin and mineral premixes, chalk, lime, sepia, and eggshells.
Feeding schedule: twice a day. Water in drinking bowls should be near birds around the clock, with unhindered access.
Character and temperament
By nature, Jardine parrots are very soft and affectionate. The family prefers to choose their “favorite” person and spend time with him. They are highly trainable, although, like children, they can be disobedient. Sometimes they try to show character by biting or screaming.
To teach your pet to talk, you will have to be patient. But all the work will not be spent in vain; the bird will delight you with a good memory and fairly clear speech.
Reproduction
Congolese breed poorly in captivity. Rare cases of obtaining offspring from pets do occur, but for this, breeders have to apply many conditions:
- arrange a large aviary for birds;
- monitor the length of daylight hours;
- organize your diet correctly.
Recommendations for purchasing
The Congo parrot is an excellent choice for both experienced birders and beginners. But before purchasing a bird, you should carefully weigh your options.
- The material side of the issue (just one bird will cost up to $1000 per individual, excluding the cost of cage and food).
- Take time to communicate with your feathered pet.
- Worry about organizing living space and food.
Directly upon purchase, you should inspect whether the bird is showing symptoms of illness, and be sure to read the accompanying documents for the bird.
The recommended age of chicks for purchase is 3 to 12 months. It is during this period that birds respond best to training and education. It is worth remembering that you will have to pay many times more for a trained parrot.
Of course, red-fronted parrots are not a cheap pleasure. But these are precisely the birds that, with minimal care, can create a festive atmosphere in the house and delight their owner with communication.
Also check: Noble Eclectus Parrot
Also check: Soldier’s Macaw Parrot Facts & Diet Information
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