Poicephalus gulielmi aka red-fronted parrot

[Shnake]

HI guys,
I am from Slovakia so my english is not as clean as yours. Pardon me for that.
I like behavior of this bird but I want to know more.
Which subspieses is better? I am looking to
Poicephalus gulielmi or P. g. massaicus these should be larger variant of this parrot. But if the smaller subspiece is better I dont say no.
So the behavior I want or prefer:
cuddly
friendly- to people and outsiders, dont bite
playful
faithful- i want to let him out(mean get outside) but i dont know its good idea for bird safety and if he returns
quiet - yeah he can make some noises thats okay but is quiet, isnt it?
yeah i live in flat first floor
Somethimes I dont have much time. So Is it enough to have 30 or 45 minutes for him somedays?
What I have read this parrots can learn dosens of words, is it true? As well as curious and inteligent.
I think the gulielmi Jardines parrot is most common here and price for parrot is around 350-450 €
Ive never had parrot before only small birds when I was a kid. I am phlegmatic personality this parrot looks as well. I like to take challenge and make friends with parrot.
And last guestion how long is their lifespan? I ve read around 30 years is that correct?
Thank you

 

[OwnedByGeorge]

HI guys,
I am from Slovakia so my english is not as clean as yours. Pardon me for that.
I like behavior of this bird but I want to know more.
Which subspieses is better? I am looking to
Poicephalus gulielmi or P. g. massaicus these should be larger variant of this parrot. But if the smaller subspiece is better I dont say no.
So the behavior I want or prefer:
for bird safety and if he returns
quiet - yeah he can make some noises thats okay but is quiet, isnt it?
yeah i live in flat first floor
Somethimes I dont have much time. So Is it enough to have 30 or 45 minutes for him somedays?
What I have read this parrots can learn dosens of words, is it true? As well as curious and inteligent.
I think the gulielmi Jardines parrot is most common here and price for parrot is around 350-450 €
Ive never had parrot before only small birds when I was a kid. I am phlegmatic personality this parrot looks as well. I like to take challenge and make friends with parrot.
And last guestion how long is their lifespan? I ve read around 30 years is that correct?
Thank you

cuddly
friendly- to people and outsiders, dont bite
playful
faithful- i want to let him out(mean get outside) but i dont know its good idea

^There is no guarantee that any bird will be any of these things, regardless of the species.

Letting him fly free is a REALLY bad idea and he will probably not come back

30-45 minutes with a social animal is nowhere near enough. I would say 4 hours minimum.

You need to do a lot of research before you get a parrot.

 

[Shnake]

cuddly
friendly- to people and outsiders, dont bite
playful
faithful- i want to let him out(mean get outside) but i dont know its good idea

^There is no guarantee that any bird will be any of these things, regardless of the species.

Letting him fly free is a REALLY bad idea and he will probably come back

30-45 minutes with a social animal is nowhere near enough. I would say 4 hours minimum.

You need to do a lot of research before you get a parrot.

Yeah but there is some predisposition to have this characteristics. A why is free lfy for parrot bad idea?
I have took same. Bud i Dont know that much time is needed. But what i have read this parrot can take less time and still be happy or fine.

 

[OwnedByGeorge]

"Less time" is 4 hours as opposed to 8 hours. 45 minutes is not enough. You can't leave a parrot alone all day. Please don't get a parrot if that is all the time you can provide.

Also if you are getting your information from European sources, especially Spain/Portugal or Eastern Europe, that information is 99% likely to be bull****.
If you let a parrot fly free it will either never come back or it will get eaten by an eagle or a cat or get killed by a car. It's a terrible idea. They are not used to being in the wild alone. They live in large groups. Some people train their parrots to go outside with them in packabirds (a backpack you can put your bird in) and some birds enjoy it but to just let your bird fly out the window is the most irresponsible thing you can possibly do.

If what I've seen about how birds are raised and cared for in Europe is any indication, your odds of finding a properly hand raised tame baby are close to 0%. You will probably get a grumpy parrot that will be bitey and not having enough time to become friends with the bird will only make things worse. You are not the right person for a parrot.

 

[Kiwibird]

Just to clarify since I get the impression something may have been lost in translation:

Free flying (in the US)= allowing a bird to fly unharnessed outdoors. This is generally considered unsafe and not a good idea. Even a recall trained, highly bonded bird can be spooked, fly off and never be seen again. Depending on local predators, a free flight bird could also potentially be eaten by hawks or even a dog or cat if you're free flying in a park or residential area.

Flighted parrot (in the US)= allowing a bird to fly around INDOORS while taking great care to prevent escape into the outdoors and always ensuring the bird is harnessed or in a cage/carrier outdoors. Allowing a bird to fly as nature intended, though in the confines of an indoor space is generally considered a better option to clipping wings and discouraging flight. The owner still makes sure the bird is safe when outside the house and is not able to fly away. The owner must also mitigate indoor risks such as never cooking when the bird is out, keeping toilet lids down, covering open sources of water, hiding chemicals etc...

 

[Kiwibird]

Time needs of (any) parrot are generally 4+ hours a day. If you happen to have a day every once in a while you only have a moment to spend, that's ok but it cannot be a regular thing. Spending time with a parrot doesn't need to be 1 on 1 interaction either. If they are out of their cage and in close proximity to you, getting some occasionally attention/praise, that is what people mean by "hours and hours a day". You need to be able to hang out with your parrot for several hours a day, not smother them with attention several hours a day or you can create serious overbonding/dependence issues. Being able to self entertain is essential for your birds well being. My bird, so long as he's in my vicinity, has some toys, I occasionally acknowledge him etc... he's pretty happy. He likes to shower with me and sit on the shower curtain bar, he likes to watch me clean, he likes to watch me work on the computer, but as for one on one interaction, neither of us are particularly inclined to be glued to each other for hours a day. My bird is fairly independent and just wants to feel like part of the human family and that he's being included, but is perfectly content to sit near us on his perch with his toys and play. He is only sitting on me or having a trick training session (real close/one on one interaction) maybe 30-45 minutes a day, but spends 6-8+ hours generally hanging out near me.

 

[Shnake]

"Less time" is 4 hours as opposed to 8 hours. 45 minutes is not enough. You can't leave a parrot alone all day. Please don't get a parrot if that is all the time you can provide.

You are not the right person for a parrot.

Okay what I have meant is like 30 45 minuts of active playing with parrot. He would be with me at least 10 hours a day. I have meant something like Kiwibird wrote.

Time needs of (any) parrot are generally 4+ hours a day. If you happen to have a day every once in a while you only have a moment to spend, that's ok but it cannot be a regular thing. Spending time with a parrot doesn't need to be 1 on 1 interaction either. If they are out of their cage and in close proximity to you, getting some occasionally attention/praise, that is what people mean by "hours and hours a day". You need to be able to hang out with your parrot for several hours a day, not smother them with attention several hours a day or you can create serious overbonding/dependence issues. Being able to self entertain is essential for your birds well being. My bird, so long as he's in my vicinity, has some toys, I occasionally acknowledge him etc... he's pretty happy. He likes to shower with me and sit on the shower curtain bar, he likes to watch me clean, he likes to watch me work on the computer, but as for one on one interaction, neither of us are particularly inclined to be glued to each other for hours a day. My bird is fairly independent and just wants to feel like part of the human family and that he's being included, but is perfectly content to sit near us on his perch with his toys and play. He is only sitting on me or having a trick training session (real close/one on one interaction) maybe 30-45 minutes a day, but spends 6-8+ hours generally hanging out near me.

If you let a parrot fly free it will either never come back or it will get eaten by an eagle or a cat or get killed by a car. It's a terrible idea. They are not used to being in the wild alone. They live in large groups. Some people train their parrots to go outside with them in packabirds (a backpack you can put your bird in) and some birds enjoy it but to just let your bird fly out the window is the most irresponsible thing you can possibly do.

If what I've seen about how birds are raised and cared for in Europe is any indication, your odds of finding a properly hand raised tame baby are close to 0%. You will probably get a grumpy parrot that will be bitey and not having enough time to become friends with the bird will only make things worse.

Okay i take it its not a good idea but i was asking, i have seen some videos of free fly so i just asked(it looks as coutryside with field). Risk is too high i would need to find a place with zero predators and almost no people. Damn imposible.
OMG you americans are always so awesome. Like in US does not exist people who treats and raises parrots like garbadge. Slovakia is in European union we have got intense regulation from EU, we dont live in forests we dont have garden toilets. We live at same standards as you.

 

[Kiwibird]

There are good and bad people everywhere. There was a parrot hoarder busted last year right down the street from us, keeping dozens of parrots in beyond appalling conditions. That was right here in the US, and a lot of animal rights supporters live in this area. It is true that in some countries there are limited resources and availability in regards to suitable sized cages, avian vets, pelleted diets etc... but generally those issues are in certain regions of the developing world, not European countries.

Edit: Some people do choose to free fly outdoors. It is a massive risk for your bird. One of our most knowledgeable/experienced members lost his highly bonded macaw last year free flying in a park. A safer alternative is to harness train your bird and to fly on a flight line (an extended leash).

 

[OwnedByGeorge]

"Less time" is 4 hours as opposed to 8 hours. 45 minutes is not enough. You can't leave a parrot alone all day. Please don't get a parrot if that is all the time you can provide.

You are not the right person for a parrot.

Okay what I have meant is like 30 45 minuts of active playing with parrot. He would be with me at least 10 hours a day. I have meant something like Kiwibird wrote.

Time needs of (any) parrot are generally 4+ hours a day. If you happen to have a day every once in a while you only have a moment to spend, that's ok but it cannot be a regular thing. Spending time with a parrot doesn't need to be 1 on 1 interaction either. If they are out of their cage and in close proximity to you, getting some occasionally attention/praise, that is what people mean by "hours and hours a day". You need to be able to hang out with your parrot for several hours a day, not smother them with attention several hours a day or you can create serious overbonding/dependence issues. Being able to self entertain is essential for your birds well being. My bird, so long as he's in my vicinity, has some toys, I occasionally acknowledge him etc... he's pretty happy. He likes to shower with me and sit on the shower curtain bar, he likes to watch me clean, he likes to watch me work on the computer, but as for one on one interaction, neither of us are particularly inclined to be glued to each other for hours a day. My bird is fairly independent and just wants to feel like part of the human family and that he's being included, but is perfectly content to sit near us on his perch with his toys and play. He is only sitting on me or having a trick training session (real close/one on one interaction) maybe 30-45 minutes a day, but spends 6-8+ hours generally hanging out near me.

If you let a parrot fly free it will either never come back or it will get eaten by an eagle or a cat or get killed by a car. It's a terrible idea. They are not used to being in the wild alone. They live in large groups. Some people train their parrots to go outside with them in packabirds (a backpack you can put your bird in) and some birds enjoy it but to just let your bird fly out the window is the most irresponsible thing you can possibly do.

If what I've seen about how birds are raised and cared for in Europe is any indication, your odds of finding a properly hand raised tame baby are close to 0%. You will probably get a grumpy parrot that will be bitey and not having enough time to become friends with the bird will only make things worse.

Okay i take it its not a good idea but i was asking, i have seen some videos of free fly so i just asked(it looks as coutryside with field). Risk is too high i would need to find a place with zero predators and almost no people. Damn imposible.
OMG you americans are always so awesome. Like in US does not exist people who treats and raises parrots like garbadge. Slovakia is in European union we have got intense regulation from EU, we dont live in forests we dont have garden toilets. We live at same standards as you.

I'm aware of the standard of living in Europe, I go there every year. I'm probably just judgemental based on my experience in Spain where animal rights have only recently come into existance, and people still say things like "animals are living creatures too". Ya no **** they are.

 

[Shnake]

I'm aware of the standard of living in Europe, I go there every year. I'm probably just judgemental based on my experience in Spain where animal rights have only recently come into existance, and people still say things like "animals are living creatures too". Ya no **** they are.

I dont eat any meat or dairy products. Yeah i dont know Spain but i can imagine is some regions thay got traditions that may not be fun to watch in our eyes.

Yeah I got it its not safe for bird so i wont do it. (free fly) I just ask and i know it is very dangerous.
Do you know something what could you tell me about Jardines parrot and another subspieces?

 

[OwnedByGeorge]

I'm aware of the standard of living in Europe, I go there every year. I'm probably just judgemental based on my experience in Spain where animal rights have only recently come into existance, and people still say things like "animals are living creatures too". Ya no **** they are.

I dont eat any meat or dairy products. Yeah i dont know Spain but i can imagine is some regions thay got traditions that may not be fun to watch in our eyes.

Yeah I got it its not safe for bird so i wont do it. (free fly) I just ask and i know it is very dangerous.
Do you know something what could you tell me about Jardines parrot and another subspieces?

Sorry I guess my experiences in Spain have taught me to not trust people overseas when it comes to pets. I have seen so much animal abuse in Spain it makes me cry. I can't take it anymore so I will never go back, even though it is my home country.

Poicephalus are good parrots. Any parrot can make a good friend. It's important to understand that just like people, parrots have individual personalities. Just like you can't say "Everybody in France is friendly and generous" you can't say "Every red-bellied parrot is friendly, doesn't bite, and needs reduced attention". It just doesn't work that way with parrots.

I have a Senegal parrot, a poicephalus, close relative of the parrot you are considering. He is a good friend and we have been together for ten years. I work from home so he has been with me all day every day since he was four months old and we are very good friends. I almost lost him once when my mom left the back door open in an act of carelessness. George flew into the backyard and into a tree, and started calling me, obviously frightened and unsure of what was going on. I climbed the tree while slowly gently talking to him and I was able to get him down and take him back inside.

You need to be extremely careful to have all windows and doors closed when the bird is out of his cage.

I'm sorry for being mean earlier. It's just that most of the people I have seen adopt parrots, including friends of mine, do not treat them properly or give them enough attention in my experience. So I worry. They are like little people.

You should be aware that even if you get a friendly baby, when that baby becomes a teenager he may begin biting because he is hormonal and in breeding mode. Parrots can change their behavior later in life for all sorts of reasons, and they need a human who has a high level of dedication who will not get rid of them because they go through 6 months where they are taking bites out of you or screaming, or whatever.

Parrots need to be seen by a bird veterinarian once a year to make sure they are healthy, just like you should do with a dog or cat, and they should be taken to a veterinarian shortly after adopting them to make sure they are healthy.

I think that any parrot can make a good friend, regardless of the species. Most people suggest letting the parrot pick you. If you go to see some babies, the one that climbs onto you and starts talking to you and giving you kisses is the one for you because that bird has chosen you.

Some birds love everybody except for 1 or 2 people. For example a Caique (small parrot) that was being adopted out... the lady posted on this forum that she went to adopt it and it bit her. The lady with the parrot said it had never bitten anybody. It was a nice bird but for some reason it hated this one lady that wanted to adopt it. These things happen. I'm sure there are people you don't like who you would like to bite if you got the chance.

If you remember that a parrot is closer to a person than it is a dog, you will do ok.

I would suggest that you make sure that high quality parrot pellets (seed is a bad diet) are available locally in your city, and if they are not, buy some over the internet before you get the bird. You should start by feeding the same pellets that the breeder or previous owner was feeding, to make sure the bird does not go hungry.

You should start by buying a book on basic parrot care and training, as well as a book on poicephalus, since you are so interested in them. Read the books, get a good idea of what having a parrot is really like.

 

[Shnake]

I'm aware of the standard of living in Europe, I go there every year. I'm probably just judgemental based on my experience in Spain where animal rights have only recently come into existance, and people still say things like "animals are living creatures too". Ya no **** they are.

I dont eat any meat or dairy products. Yeah i dont know Spain but i can imagine is some regions thay got traditions that may not be fun to watch in our eyes.

Yeah I got it its not safe for bird so i wont do it. (free fly) I just ask and i know it is very dangerous.
Do you know something what could you tell me about Jardines parrot and another subspieces?

Sorry I guess my experiences in Spain have taught me to not trust people overseas when it comes to pets. I have seen so much animal abuse in Spain it makes me cry. I can't take it anymore so I will never go back, even though it is my home country.

Poicephalus are good parrots. Any parrot can make a good friend. It's important to understand that just like people, parrots have individual personalities. Just like you can't say "Everybody in France is friendly and generous" you can't say "Every red-bellied parrot is friendly, doesn't bite, and needs reduced attention". It just doesn't work that way with parrots.

I have a Senegal parrot, a poicephalus, close relative of the parrot you are considering. He is a good friend and we have been together for ten years. I work from home so he has been with me all day every day since he was four months old and we are very good friends. I almost lost him once when my mom left the back door open in an act of carelessness. George flew into the backyard and into a tree, and started calling me, obviously frightened and unsure of what was going on. I climbed the tree while slowly gently talking to him and I was able to get him down and take him back inside.

You need to be extremely careful to have all windows and doors closed when the bird is out of his cage.

I'm sorry for being mean earlier. It's just that most of the people I have seen adopt parrots, including friends of mine, do not treat them properly or give them enough attention in my experience. So I worry. They are like little people.

You should be aware that even if you get a friendly baby, when that baby becomes a teenager he may begin biting because he is hormonal and in breeding mode. Parrots can change their behavior later in life for all sorts of reasons, and they need a human who has a high level of dedication who will not get rid of them because they go through 6 months where they are taking bites out of you or screaming, or whatever.

Parrots need to be seen by a bird veterinarian once a year to make sure they are healthy, just like you should do with a dog or cat, and they should be taken to a veterinarian shortly after adopting them to make sure they are healthy.

I think that any parrot can make a good friend, regardless of the species. Most people suggest letting the parrot pick you. If you go to see some babies, the one that climbs onto you and starts talking to you and giving you kisses is the one for you because that bird has chosen you.

Some birds love everybody except for 1 or 2 people. For example a Caique (small parrot) that was being adopted out... the lady posted on this forum that she went to adopt it and it bit her. The lady with the parrot said it had never bitten anybody. It was a nice bird but for some reason it hated this one lady that wanted to adopt it. These things happen. I'm sure there are people you don't like who you would like to bite if you got the chance.

If you remember that a parrot is closer to a person than it is a dog, you will do ok.

I would suggest that you make sure that high quality parrot pellets (seed is a bad diet) are available locally in your city, and if they are not, buy some over the internet before you get the bird. You should start by feeding the same pellets that the breeder or previous owner was feeding, to make sure the bird does not go hungry.

You should start by buying a book on basic parrot care and training, as well as a book on poicephalus, since you are so interested in them. Read the books, get a good idea of what having a parrot is really like.

None taken thank you , i need to know more and need to be prepare. I would buy or download some books on this subject. And i know that parrot is closer than a dog. Parrot is like chimpazee but with fedders.

 

[guobowan]

OK ok，I am come from China,a developing country，and I have a poicephalus gulielmi，yeah a real black wing jardine.

what I want to say is there are too many people in China like you(even I was like you),we love these fantastic bird and want to have one.but we know little about them.that's the truth,don't need feel shame.because every hiker need his first step.

I have already live with my little buudy for 2 years,and I think I can give you some advise and tell you our facts,just our facts. parrots just like human,they have brain,they have mind,especially they have great intellgince that you need figure out for years!

1,dont care about the suspieces,because the only different is the outlook(or surface),just like the size and the little differ about the color of feathers.
2, you really shouldent trust any advertisement or rumor such as the jardine's are most quiet,jardine's are never bite,jardine need less companion,jardine's are great mimic,jardine's could say alot of words,jardine's are perfect pets,all of them are rumor ,not the truth!(because they are the advertisement,in China,as same as in Slovakia).
3,as what I said above ,you shouldn't trust the adivertisements,but there are some facts,compared with the similar size parrots,jardine is the silence one.
they do not bite,but when they feel uncomfortable or nervous ,they may bite(now,my finger is still wounded,LOL)
4,Even the China is not a developed country,we have Taobao,and we can buy many kind of pellets from USA,such as Harrison,KT,etc……and I give my little buddy the Harrison bird food,the best food I can surpport to him. and I recommand this pellet for you if you got a bird.
5,I really know the people who love this parrot at first,but not for a long while.because have a parrot not just for fun,not just show them around and say Hi! look my cool pet!(it's a tragedy that too many chinese people feed a bird just for fun!just for their vanity).you should know that have a parrot is a very long term work，and during this time， you may get married, having a baby or imigrant or something, there are too many reasons to abandon a parrot.So，it wont be enough to think one billion times: I have really ready to buy a parrot or not!
6,I will recommand a vedio called: <Parrot Confidential> to you. Before you bring a parrot to home, please watch this vedio first!

Ok, that's a Chinese jardine's owner's advices.

 

[guobowan]

I dont eat any meat or dairy products. Yeah i dont know Spain but i can imagine is some regions thay got traditions that may not be fun to watch in our eyes.

Yeah I got it its not safe for bird so i wont do it. (free fly) I just ask and i know it is very dangerous.
Do you know something what could you tell me about Jardines parrot and another subspieces?

Sorry I guess my experiences in Spain have taught me to not trust people overseas when it comes to pets. I have seen so much animal abuse in Spain it makes me cry. I can't take it anymore so I will never go back, even though it is my home country.

Poicephalus are good parrots. Any parrot can make a good friend. It's important to understand that just like people, parrots have individual personalities. Just like you can't say "Everybody in France is friendly and generous" you can't say "Every red-bellied parrot is friendly, doesn't bite, and needs reduced attention". It just doesn't work that way with parrots.

I have a Senegal parrot, a poicephalus, close relative of the parrot you are considering. He is a good friend and we have been together for ten years. I work from home so he has been with me all day every day since he was four months old and we are very good friends. I almost lost him once when my mom left the back door open in an act of carelessness. George flew into the backyard and into a tree, and started calling me, obviously frightened and unsure of what was going on. I climbed the tree while slowly gently talking to him and I was able to get him down and take him back inside.

You need to be extremely careful to have all windows and doors closed when the bird is out of his cage.

I'm sorry for being mean earlier. It's just that most of the people I have seen adopt parrots, including friends of mine, do not treat them properly or give them enough attention in my experience. So I worry. They are like little people.

You should be aware that even if you get a friendly baby, when that baby becomes a teenager he may begin biting because he is hormonal and in breeding mode. Parrots can change their behavior later in life for all sorts of reasons, and they need a human who has a high level of dedication who will not get rid of them because they go through 6 months where they are taking bites out of you or screaming, or whatever.

Parrots need to be seen by a bird veterinarian once a year to make sure they are healthy, just like you should do with a dog or cat, and they should be taken to a veterinarian shortly after adopting them to make sure they are healthy.

I think that any parrot can make a good friend, regardless of the species. Most people suggest letting the parrot pick you. If you go to see some babies, the one that climbs onto you and starts talking to you and giving you kisses is the one for you because that bird has chosen you.

Some birds love everybody except for 1 or 2 people. For example a Caique (small parrot) that was being adopted out... the lady posted on this forum that she went to adopt it and it bit her. The lady with the parrot said it had never bitten anybody. It was a nice bird but for some reason it hated this one lady that wanted to adopt it. These things happen. I'm sure there are people you don't like who you would like to bite if you got the chance.

If you remember that a parrot is closer to a person than it is a dog, you will do ok.

I would suggest that you make sure that high quality parrot pellets (seed is a bad diet) are available locally in your city, and if they are not, buy some over the internet before you get the bird. You should start by feeding the same pellets that the breeder or previous owner was feeding, to make sure the bird does not go hungry.

You should start by buying a book on basic parrot care and training, as well as a book on poicephalus, since you are so interested in them. Read the books, get a good idea of what having a parrot is really like.

None taken thank you , i need to know more and need to be prepare. I would buy or download some books on this subject. And i know that parrot is closer than a dog. Parrot is like chimpazee but with fedders.

there is a very good book named<senegal parrots and its family>,you can purchase this book on amazon. very great book about the poicephalus!