SRSeedBurners Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 The long search is finally over. After losing our beloved Raven to PPD we both had a huge hole in our hearts but I decided at that point I would have to find another Jardines. There is something so special about this breed and their mannerisms. African Greys will always be my favorite but Jardines are a hidden little gem of the bird world. These birds are incredibly hard to find. African Greys, Caiques, Macaws, Toos - you can find them in a day easily. It took me 7 months to find a Jardines that wasn't already spoken for. We were even looking at rescue Jardines but found none. I finally located this little guy in Houston at a private breeder. We drove down and picked him up on Memorial Day weekend, so he's only been with us less than a week. He's still learning the ropes at Sterling-Ranch. Tears started flowing when we both were driving home with him. He has so many of the mannerisms that our Raven had and is peculiar to this breed. He even makes some of the same sounds Raven made. He rides on the seat back and looks out the window the same way she did (horizontally rather than vertical - you'd have to see it). My wife wasn't too sure about adding a third bird to the mix as she kind of led the charge on the impulse buy with Toby our Caique. She kind of gave up on the search for a Jardines and was resigned to just getting along with our two current birds. That has all changed now that 'Baby Rio' has entered the home. She can't believe how much she missed her Jardines. Fortunately he's tied to the female voice and I'm having a hard time convincing him I'm his friend - just like Raven Another peculiarity about these birds: their beaks. They have enormous beaks/jaw bones for their size and also the power to match it. Up to this point, Raven held the record for the worst bite I've ever had from a parrot. She clamped onto my finger once and had me dancing with pain. I like to tell people Jardines have a 'hydraulic' bite. Most parrots will bite and done. A jardines will bite and then apply the hydraulics and continue to apply increasing pressure - it can be extremely painful even if the skin isn't broken. Well, this little guy broke the record on his second day here for my worst ever bite. I foolishly went in for a pet and he took my finger and bite the ever-living-hell out of me. He didn't do it maliciously - he just doesn't know the power of his bite when he wants to warn you. Rio's parents are known for throwing babies with extremely large and powerful beaks - double whammy! However my wife and the lady who raised him can pet him, give him kisses and anything they want without repercussions. He just loves women. Greycie has done amazingly well with him. I figured she would be the big problem as she still doesn't much care for Toby. She barely reacted to Rio. The only time he gets a rise out of her is when he takes off flying. Greycie has to fly into the same general area and either show off or give him a good buzz. He's not a very good flier yet so Greycie could fly circles around him if I didn't intervene. However Toby our Caique has made it his life mission to beat the feathers out of Rio. Didn't expect that. We'll see if things settle down - hopefully so. A short crappy cell phone video: [video=youtube_share;VhCcbxya2wk] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRSeedBurners Posted May 30, 2014 Author Share Posted May 30, 2014 And another video since it wouldn't let me include two in one post: [video=youtube_share;2jsOJShuD4c] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Very cute and quite curious. I will enjoy this adventure with you and Rio. Thanks for sharing!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2birds Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 What a beautiful little bird 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inara Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Sterling, you *must* stop it with all this cuteness! Between Toby and now Baby Rio, you're killinn' me!! :D What a beak that baby has. You've now made me more curious about Jardine's and I'm going to pour another cup of coffee and go read up on them, and why their beaks are so strong -- is it because of their natural food source(s)? Baby Rio looks like he's really settling in. Loved those videos, keep 'em coming so I can vicariously enjoy MBS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Loved those videos, keep 'em coming so I can vicariously enjoy MBS!!! Same for me here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 You really don't like him at all do you? Just kidding, I can hear you adoring him on the video. He is a Poi cousin of our Red belly, Java. I was checking some sites because I thought they were from the same family. The Jardine's is called "The African Amazon". One of their staple foods is the fig and that's similar to the red belly too. I can vouch for the bite and Java is a lot smaller than Rio. I am looking forward to learning more about him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhouse Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Almost impossible to imagine that Rio's going to keep getting more handsome as he matures & goes thru his first molt & everything! What a beautiful baby! I agree w/the others. Even though I can tell how much of an effort it is , you must keep posting vids, please!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRSeedBurners Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 Here ya go! Sterling-Ranch treat time. We have a daily ritual of getting the treats out around 4-5pm. It's a little like Kindergarten recess release. Greycie and Toby will literally run across the counter to the treat bowls while I get the treats out. Baby Rio figured it out pretty quick... [video=youtube_share;HJOpzsbgmvg] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 That's a cuteness overload like a sugar high that brings tears to my eyes. Rio is the sweetest little thing. Love the treat time at the Sterling Ranch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quirky Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Of course I had to watch this video after seeing Greycie's burrito rolling skills. Such a cutie! Will Rio get much bigger than that? I've never heard of a Jardines before now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Jardines are funny birds, smart and playful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRSeedBurners Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 Rio may get a little bigger but he's pretty much the size of an adult. He's still really clumsy like a baby. He's real good about getting launched into the air - getting down safely is a bit dicey right now. We all go scrambling when he's floating around and missed his target Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 What a beautiful bird and a great addition to the Sterling Ranch. So glad you found what you were looking for and Rio is a lucky bird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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