Q1 - How can I tell what subspecies my J is?
A - From Jean & Rita:
The P.g. massaicus, Greater Jardine's, weigh between 265 and 300 grams, with hens being on the low end of the scale. Some mature males have topped 310 grams. Babies have no red orange coloration on their head, and it may take up to five or six years to attain full color. Some individuals may only get a few red orange feathers, and a few will receive none. If the coloration extends into the crown and beyond the eye, it is not a pure Greater Jardine's. The maxilla (upper mandible) on the Greater Jardine's is bone colored and tipped in black. A few are reported to have a dark stripe down the center. The lower mandible is black. The beak of a Greater Jardine's seems to fit its face, and has a tucked in appearance. Greater Jardine's also have a wider margin of green scalloping each black wing feather, when compared to other Jardine's sub-species. The Greater Jardine's has a tall, sleek appearance like that of a basketball player and perches in an upright position. Babies can appear underweight to those not familiar with their build. These birds originate from Eastern Africa in Kenya and Tanzania.
P.g. fantiensis, the Lesser Jardine's is the most commonly available Jardine's sub-species in the United States. Weights have been reported in a range starting at 180 grams with some nearing 230 grams. Again, hens tend to be smaller in size than males. The coloration on the head is generally a pumpkin or citrus orange, however, some Lesser's sport a dandelion yellow coloration. The Lesser's have the most coloration on their head, it is not uncommon for feathering hatchlings to sport a few orange feathers. The amount of coloration varies, but most often extends beyond the forehead to the crown when mature. Orange or yellow feathers scattered in the body are not uncommon. The beak appears extremely large for such a small bird, often delivering a comical look. A side view of a Lesser exhibits an outward "jutting" profile of the beak. The beak is usually black or dark except for two small triangles of bone near the cere of the maxilla. Some small Jardine's have exhibited very dark wings, and sometimes bodies. Although some believe them to be P.g. gulielmi, many experts do not consider these small birds to be the nominate Black-wing. There is speculation that P.g. fantiensis may have a second race, but this is unconfirmed. The Lesser Jardine's have a stocky, chunky appearance and sit more parallel than upright to the perch. P.g. fantiensis originates from West Africa.
The P.g. gulielmi, Black-wing Jardine's, average between 245 and 280 grams. Because of the size overlap with P.g. massaicus, care should be taken not to mismatch sub-species when pairing birds for breeding. This sub-species looks very much the same as the Lesser Jardine's, and therefore has resulted in mis-pairings of sub-species. However, the coloration on the head definitely appears red, not orange as seen in the Lesser's. Wings almost appear black from a distance, and some individuals possess black feathering in other areas of their body also. The wing feathers reach their mature "black appearance" around the age of two years. The beak matches that of a Lesser Jardine's. Black-wings perch similar to the Lesser Jardine's and carry their body somewhat horizontally to the perch. P.g. gulielmi are very rare in the United States and should not be kept as pets. When obtaining Black-wings for breeding, it is important to correctly identify the parents to ensure a pure genetic background. One example, is that a Black-Wing Jardine's would never sport an orange forehead and crown. The coloration is always a shade of red.
All Jardine's have white or light gray eye rings as adults. Greater's have been reported to have a yellow tinge to their eye rings. Some juveniles may also have white eye rings but generally eye rings are dark, lightening with age. Imported juveniles always have black eye rings.
The feet of all three sub-species varies from dark gray to flesh toned, and sometimes mottled. In no way does the coloration of the feet reflect upon sub-species, or even gender. Many males (not all) do tend to have a very square, flat head, whereas hens tend to have a more round head shape. Surgical or chromosome sexing must be used to confirm gender of young unproven birds.
There are pictures of Js at the Wings Central web page.
A - From Jean:
The fourth sub-species, P.g.permistus, is very controversial. I know someone in Africa now that says he "MAY" have them. He will know when they get older. They appear like the BW but have green borders on their wings. All juveniles have green borders, the Black-wing loses the green with age - the P.g permistus does not.
Forshaw's book states they come from the highlands of Kenya. I know a gentleman who lived in Africa for years and knew a woman raising many Jardine's. She claimed they had a totally different J that lives in the mountains. Taxonomists call these "clines" a breakoff of a subspecies. They live in the same region but are "different". It does get confusing. There are no photos and Forshaw didn't examine any skins. I think it was hearsay that he based his text on. I believe there is a fourth, and maybe then some.
The nominate species is the first to be discovered. When a bird is discovered, a new species is found: Poicephalus (genus) gulielmi (Jardine) gulielmi (Black Wing). A few years go by and another is found; now we have a sub-species. We also now have 2 birds of the same species. The second bird is now called Poicephalus gulielmi massaicus. Nominate subspecies always have the same 2 names after the Genus name. But this bird is no more than one of the sub-species. Of course then we base our differences in the others by comparing it to the nominate.
A - From Vicky:
Here is what the book "African Birds of Kenya and Tanzania" says re: Jardine's:
Red-Fronted Parrot Poicephalus gulielmi massaicus (Red-headed Parrot)
Length 260-280 mm (10-11"). A robust, dark green highland parrot. Adult has red forehead, crown, and leg feathers. In flight, red leading wing edges and yellowish-green rump are noticeable. Bare orbital skin greyish yellow; eyes red-orange; maxilla ivory horn, the tip and entire mandible blackish; feet dark brown. Juvenile has red body and wing patches replaced by brown, the crown buff. Voice: Shrill, high-pitched screeching chatter in flight and when perched. Habits: Pairs or small groups feed in treetops. May congregate in large flocks for roosting. Undertakes extensive daily flights to and from feeding areas. Status and distribution: Widespread and locally common in Podocarpus and Juniperus forests between 2000 and 3200 m, in the w. and cent. Kenyan highlands on Mt. Elgon and the Cheranganis, the Mau, Aberdares and Mt. Kenya, with disjunct populations around Maralal and in the Ngurumans. Also on Kilimanjaro, in Arusha NP and parts of Tanzania's Crater Highlands.
Q2 - When will my J grow those pretty orange feathers?
A - From Rita:
Jardine's do acquire more orange as they get older. The Lesser Jardine's (the smaller ones known as West African) can be feathered out with orange feathers as babies and this increases with age. The Greater Jardine's sub-species has no orange feathers on their head when they feather out as babies. They may get one feather during their first molt, or perhaps several. It may take as long as 5-6 years for them to reach their total adult coloration. However, the Greater Jardine's will hardly ever obtain as much orange coloration as the Lesser's. By the way, the Greater Jardine's orange is more akin to red-orange versus pumpkin or citrus orange found on the Lesser's.
© 1998, 1999 African Parrot Society
Last update: October 02, 2005