Cobba, the Blackwing Jardine's parrot, started his life with Kim, and when he was just over 2 years old, he went to live with a wonderful lady in California. He was called Cobba after a black labrador that belonged to Kim's granny long ago! Cobba is an Australian word meaning: "friend"! These are Kim's thoughts and experiences on having a Jardine's Parrot. I hope you find them useful. I was ambivalent about getting a bird. I had cocketiels as a kid and ALWAYS felt sorry for them - wings clipped, and caged. So far from how they were meant to be. However a friend of mind had an African Grey with all the attention she gave him, he seemed like a happy bird. I wanted a parrot badly and so I thought fairly carefully about what bird to get. I wanted a relatively quiet but big bird. One that is full of life, friendly and able to spend time playing alone while I work from home. I also wanted a bird that was not too destructive. Lastly I wanted a bird that could say a few words, at least. After much searching on the net I came upon the Jardine's. Cobba was hatched on 4 March 1999 and weighs about 262g. He is the nominate species of Jardine, the Black Wing and, as he is still a youngster he does not have his full orange coloring. I saw a newspaper advertisement for a Jardine and decided I could not wait any longer for the Lesser Jardine baby I had ordered! Cobba was hand fed since he was a few weeks old. He was nippy but friendly, and had not been taught to step-up. Being my first large parrot, after having cocketiels and parakeets / budgies as a child, I was a little out of my depth with him at first, but quickly read up everything I could from a number of helpful books I ordered through Amazon.com. I read numerous articles off the web (see list on final page). I also joined a jardine list which was extremely helpful and supportive. And I quickly learnt how to train him. In turn he formed a strong bond with me and became my very close companion, and important member of our family. |
Cobba in typical Jardine play |
THE HOME PAGE OF COBBA "THE LITTLE GREEN MAN" AND (well-travelled) JARDINE'S PARROT |
This page was last updated on: April 16, 2002
This page was created in August 1999 |
COBBA'S HAMMOCK Left: Note the black and white dishcloth that i have suspended in his cage as a hammock. This gives Cobba hours of pleasure as he jumps in and out. He lies on his back inside while playing wiht a little rope toy I suspended in it, with his feet. I don't know what he would do without this form of amusement. He really loves it. It took him about a month to get used to it and know what to do. Now you cant keep him out of it!!! |
PERSONALITY He is a very robust and affectionate bird. His favorite activities are chewing and exploring (anything and everything), climbing and talking to himself. His chewing is a problem if I don't constantly provide him with new things things. He gets bored very quickly with the same toys or objects and insists on chewing pens, or pencils..... ANYTHING!! I have to supervise him very very closely and cannot let him wander around unattended. However I provide him with a variety of toys in his cage, and often put him on play stands or move his cage to other rooms. He enjoys this and does not get unnerved by change. I also take him for walks with me on my shoulder. Not long walk, mind you, else he gets bored and starts chewing my ear!!! OUCH.... He was talking when I got him and says many things in a little parrot voice which is not easily recognizable: Hello boy. Hello booboo, Stop it, No, Come on, Ow!, Bye Bye. Hello Cobba. He also makes the cutest noises: Mmmmm? Ooooh! And he mimics the phone and my sneezing which is very funny. My husband has taught him the first line of the Michigan football fight song which immediately secured Cobba a very special place in the family. |
He is very friendly to everyone, and interested in everything. He does not seem to interested in socializing with other birds though he enjoys watching them. He loves human company and gets very upset when left alone for too long. Because he was handraised by a human, he really has come to depend on humans for his social needs and thinks of me as his flock member. This is a huge responsibility for anyone who buys a handraised bird. I have never been the kind of person who can watch a bird day in and day out stuck in a cage with little or no new stimulation and interaction. This is surely one of the cruelest things people have done to these winged and highly social flock creatures. He does bite at times, and this is usually when I want him to stop chewing something or put him back in his cage. And he draws blood. With the help of a behaviorist who really knows how to set limits for him, I have learnt to tap him gently on his wing when he bites which works most of the time to distract or mildly irritate him, while I try not to scream in agony and do something to him I would almost surely regret. Apparently Jardine's go through a nippy phase....I'm pleased to say that Cobba's is now over. |
FAVORITE FOODS At first, Cobba would not eat pellets. But after a crop infection which caused him to vomit repeatedly and nearly die, I was insistent. Eventually I found a pellet he liked (Kaytee Exact Rainbow Parrot) which has been a great relief. He became ill after eating voraciously from a bag of parrot food which consisted of dried fruit, nuts, seeds and beans. His favorite foods are apples, almonds, dry oats, potatoes, any vegetables. He loves to eat!! He adores sunflower seeds which I he is rarely given. He also loves chicken bones and bread. I provide pellets throughout the day and night. In the morning he has a mash of rolled oats, ground flax and pumpkin seeds, and almonds all soaked in hot water until soft. He loves this! In the afternoon I give him a fruit and vegetable salad with apples, corn, peas, grapes, broccoli, orange and anything else that I have around. He drinks water and bathes daily in big round tin bowl - much like puppies eat out of. |