The red-fronted parrot, also known as Jardine's parrot, is a medium-sized mainly green parrot distributed across wide areas of Africa. It has three subspecies. The extent and shade of the red or orange plumage on its head, thighs, and bend of wings vary depending on the subspecies.
Region
Central and East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from West Africa (e.g., Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire) through the Congo Basin to Uganda, Kenya, and northern Tanzania. Favors moist evergreen and montane forests, forest edges, and mature secondary growth. It also visits gallery forests and wooded farmland with tall trees. Often seen in the upper canopy but will descend to mid-story when foraging. Readily uses fruiting trees in plantations and agroforestry mosaics.
Altitude Range
0–3300 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called Jardine's parrot, it has three subspecies that differ in how much red or orange shows on the crown, thighs, and wing bends. It nests in natural tree cavities and is highly adept at clambering through the canopy. Intelligent and vocal, it can mimic sounds but is more noted for its loud, ringing calls. While adaptable to secondary forests, it is affected locally by habitat loss and trapping.
Juvenile with a little orange patch starting to form on its forehead
P. g. gulielmi, adult leaving the nest box
Fledgling pet eating vegetables
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
fast direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small flocks and forms larger groups at abundant food sources. Pairs are monogamous and nest in high tree cavities, often reusing suitable sites. Breeding season varies regionally with rainfall patterns.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, ringing screeches and metallic chattering used to keep contact in the canopy. Also gives sharp whistles and rasping notes, especially in flight.
Plumage
Mainly rich green with dark, scalloped blackish edging on mantle and wings; bright red to orange on the forehead, bend of wing, and thighs varies by subspecies.
Diet
Primarily eats fruits, seeds, and nuts, including figs and oil palm fruits. Also takes berries and leaf buds and may raid cultivated crops such as maize when available. Foraging often focuses on seasonally fruiting canopy trees.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the upper canopy and along forest edges where fruiting trees are abundant. Frequently visits plantations, forest clearings, and agroforestry plots to exploit predictable food sources.
