Jardines vs CAG

[Rhyanna]

I'm considering adopting one of two birds: a female Jardine's parrot or a male CAG. The CAG appears to like me, but rescue staff say he's terrified of everyone once you open the cage door.

The Jardine's appears to be a sweet bird, she's always attentive but I worry because her bio has a caution about aggression while describing her as gentle and friendly. The rescue also took her to a large parrot show two weeks ago, so it doesn't make sense they'd have her around all those people if aggression was a concern.

I'm torn because there are pros and cons to each bird. Could anyone share their thoughts or experiences of aggression with their Jardines? Are there any particular body language cues or situations?

It's a tough decision. For context, the only other parrots I have owned were Eclectus. Neither my boy or female Ekkie were aggressive, but I know any creature can be in the right conditions. Right now, I'm just spending time with both of them to build up trust for a couple of weeks before I try taking either bird out of the cage to handle them.

TYIA for your help.

 

[Mizzely]

My Jardine's is very sweet but can definitely be salty. When he's in the bottom of his cage making a "nest" he is a little troll and you best leave him alone lol. He also gets grumpy moods.

He does not like children and is very obvious about it.

He is not a hard bird to read. I've only been bitten maybe 3 times in the 6+ years I've had him. Hurt my feelings more than my hand!

No experience with greys.

 

[T. gillii]

From a friend of mine and member who cannot remember her login @Sarcasia

"Jardines are bossy but their body language is clear.
I know CAGs who are performative sweeties in cage and murderous out
Tldr get the Jardine, they're easier to read and good and being independent. Both are very trainable and workable but greys are more sensitive."

"The cags being more sensitive = potentially more bitey/ mood flip
Jardine's very adaptable
Body language cues:
Fluffy head and pining eyes = Bite
Open beak leaning towards you = Bite
Both Jardine's and CAG growl"

And some photos of her Jardine's for good measure

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[Rhyanna]

From a friend of mine and member who cannot remember her login @Sarcasia

"Jardines are bossy but their body language is clear.
I know CAGs who are performative sweeties in cage and murderous out
Tldr get the Jardine, they're easier to read and good and being independent. Both are very trainable and workable but greys are more sensitive."

"The cags being more sensitive = potentially more bitey/ mood flip
Jardine's very adaptable
Body language cues:
Fluffy head and pining eyes = Bite
Open beak leaning towards you = Bite
Both Jardine's and CAG growl"

And some photos of her Jardine's for good measure

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Thank you! Adorable pictures of your bird

I'm more inclined towards the Jardine now. That ability to be comfortable alone is a bonus.

 

[Rhyanna]

My Jardine's is very sweet but can definitely be salty. When he's in the bottom of his cage making a "nest" he is a little troll and you best leave him alone lol. He also gets grumpy moods.

He does not like children and is very obvious about it.

He is not a hard bird to read. I've only been bitten maybe 3 times in the 6+ years I've had him. Hurt my feelings more than my hand!

No experience with greys.

I prefer 'salty' to aggressive. Less judgemental.

My bite experience with my Ekkies was the same.

 

[Mizzely]

Oh yeah my Jardine's is happy to be with you, but also totally fine to just look out the window and destroy toys. I have a busy household and schedule, so his ability to entertain himself makes me feel better!

His ability to mimic every single beeping noise in the house is probably on par with a CAG too

 

[Sparkles99]

The noise mimics would drive me bananas. I’d constantly be checking the microwave, etc.! Didn’t realize you live with that.

 

[Sarcasia]

Oh yeah my Jardine's is happy to be with you, but also totally fine to just look out the window and destroy toys. I have a busy household and schedule, so his ability to entertain himself makes me feel better!

His ability to mimic every single beeping noise in the house is probably on par with a CAG too

Oh all my jardines are great mimics!! One of them mimics the noise of the front door when it opens and an old timey telephone. My first Jardine mimics every single phone notification lol!

They also talk in context but with little robot voices, very cute.
I initially got into Jardines after raising one at the store I worked at, and I was torn between them and a Gray. I went with the Jard because of the ability to entertain themselves and how they liked to cuddle.

 

[Mizzely]

Oh all my jardines are great mimics!! One of them mimics the noise of the front door when it opens and an old timey telephone. My first Jardine mimics every single phone notification lol!

They also talk in context but with little robot voices, very cute.
I initially got into Jardines after raising one at the store I worked at, and I was torn between them and a Gray. I went with the Jard because of the ability to entertain themselves and how they liked to cuddle.

Mine was 19 when I got him and he only knows a few words.

Knows old standard cell phone ring tones though

 

[Sarcasia]

To add on to my choppy list that @T. gillii posted for me yesterday, they are crazy foodies and therefore pretty easy to train. They like to roll on their backs and are pretty tolerant to wing and body checks (but most birds can be with proper training).

I've birdsat and raised a lot of grays and overall they're less tolerant than Js. They are better talkers and tend to be more 1 person birds than jards.

Also, jardines, while more adaptable, have a very spazzy fear response and will fly around crazily when scared; I'm usually more worried for them to hurt themselves when this happens (i just avoid triggers and haven't had a fear response like this in a couple years). This is not something I've seen as severely with cags.

 

[Mizzely]

Mine won't fly for nothing so not sure that's true of all of them. Mine also doesn't roll on his back ever and is super picky with food (but will sell his soul for an almond).

 

[Sparkles99]

will sell his soul for an almond).

Maybe he shouldn’t be put in this position & you should just offer more almonds!

 

[Mizzely]

Maybe he shouldn’t be put in this position & you should just offer more almonds!

I promise he is spoiled with almonds

 

[Rhyanna]

Oh all my jardines are great mimics!! One of them mimics the noise of the front door when it opens and an old timey telephone. My first Jardine mimics every single phone notification lol!

They also talk in context but with little robot voices, very cute.
I initially got into Jardines after raising one at the store I worked at, and I was torn between them and a Gray. I went with the Jard because of the ability to entertain themselves and how they liked to cuddle.

Working with birds would be a great way to learn about the different species over time. I know Grey's are needy, but I think until you live with such a bird you don't fully comprehend the concept.

That trait reminds me of my Eclectus. They were always happy to hang out but could be happy playing in the cage too.

 

[Sarcasia]

Mine won't fly for nothing so not sure that's true of all of them. Mine also doesn't roll on his back ever and is super picky with food (but will sell his soul for an almond).

Yeah I'm sure it's bird dependent, but I will say I've witnessed it with 3 out of 5 of my jardines - so something to keep in mind!

 

[Rhyanna]

To everyone who replied to share their experiences with Jardines, thank you! @Sarcasia @Mizzely my partner and I had a long visit with both the CAG and Jardines at the rescue yesterday. The Jardines won our hearts, she was such a sweet girl with both of us!

 

[T. gillii]

Yes!!! Please post pictures

 

[Rhyanna]

Here are photos from my visit with Bobo today.

 

[T. gillii]

OH she is fantastic. @Sarcasia what subspecies do you think?

 

[Sarcasia]

Maybe a greater but her weight and age would tell us more