June 8, 2013

Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis)

The Orange-chinned Parakeet is also known as the Tovi parakeet or the Bee Bee parrot.

Photo via avconline.avc.edu
Publications mentioning Orange Chins:
  • Brightsmith, Donald. "Nest sites of wild parrots," Bird Talk, Feb. 2000.
  • Callender, G.R. and J.S. Simmons. "Trichomoniasis (T. columbae) in the Java sparrow, Tovi parakeet and Verraux's dove," American Journal of Tropical Medical Hygiene, 17 (1937): 579-585.
  • Clark, George A., Jr. "Avian Bill-Wiping," The Wilson Bulletin," (Sep. 1970) 82:279-288 (re: B. jugularis: 282).
  • Harris, Robbie. "The Tovi Parakeet," A.F.A. Watchbird, 1 (1988): 61-63.
  • Hood, R. "Tovi Parrakeets (sic)," Foreign Birds, 27 (1961): 74-?.
  • Janzen, D.H. "Brotogeris Jugularis," in Janzen, D.H., Costa Rican Natural History, Chicago University Press: Chicago, 1984: 548-550.
  • Janzen, D.H. "Ficus ovalis seed predation by an orange-chinned parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis) in Costa Rica," Auk, 28 (1982): 841–844.
  • Kricher, John C. A Neotropical Companion, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1989: 261 (canary wing) & 234-235 (orange chin).
  • Kricher, John. "Neotropical Birds" in A Neotropical Companion, Chapter 12 [mentions orange chin].
  • Kroodsma, Donald E., Edward H. Miller, and Henri Ouellet, Eds. Acoustic Communications in Birds, "Song Learning and Its Consequences," vol. 2, Academic Press: New York (1982) (orange chin).
  • Kroodsma, Donald E. and Edward H. Miller, Eds. Ecology and Evolution of Acoustic Communication in Birds, Cornell University Press: Ithaca & London (1996): 115,401 (orange chin).
  • Martin, Thomas E. and James R. Karr. "Temporal Dynamics of Neotropical Birds with Special Reference to Frugivores in Second-Growth Woods," The Wilson Bulletin," (March 1986) 98:38-60 (B. jugularis).
  • Power, Dennis M. "Agonistic Behavior and Vocalizations of Orange-chinned Parakeets in Captivity," Condor, 68 (1966): 562-581.
  • Power, Dennis M. "Antiphonal Dueting and Evidence for Auditory Reaction in the Orange-chinned Parakeet," Auk, 83 (1966): 314-319.
  • Power, Dennis M. "Epigamic and Reproductive Behavior of Orange-chinned Parakeets in Captivity," Condor, 69 (1967): 28-41.
  • Vriends, Matthew M. Simon & Schuster's Guide to Pet Birds, New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1984 (canary wing: 170/orange chin: 171).
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Grey Cheek Cuisine

Ask the Experts: Grey Cheek Cuisine

by Gail Worth

Q. Our grey-cheeked parakeet's diet consists almost exclusively of vanilla wafers. We offer him various seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, but all he really seems to eat are the wafers, which we realize are not a healthy diet. Could you please tell us how to get our picky eater to eat better?

A. Grey-cheeked parakeets definitely have a sweet tooth! Years ago, when I cared for several imported groups of baby grey cheeks, I discovered that they loved baked sweet potatoes or yams, platano bananas (the large, cooking bananas) and fresh papaya. The young, just-weaning grey cheeks ate these foods with gusto! As the birds weaned, I introduced budgie or cockatiel seed mix, spray millet, sliced apples, grapes and a variety of chopped fresh vegetables, including green beans, broccoli, yellow and green squash, and cucumbers. They ate everything in sight!

The problem you have with your grey cheek is that you are allowing the bird to dictate what it will and will not eat. Who's in charge here? You wouldn't allow a child to eat only cake and ice cream three times a day, would you? Take the vanilla wafers out of your bird's diet, and offer a variety of the goods mentioned above. Give the fruits and vegetables in the morning, and change them daily. Sprinkle a vitamin and mineral powder on your bird's soft foods, and vary the selection to keep your bird interested. Other foods, such as brown rice, boiled red wheat and lentils, and occasional tidbits of healthy table food, may interest your grey cheek. Finally, offer its seed mix in a separate dish.

Remember that avocado can be lethal to parrots, so don't offer guacamole to your pet. Keep it away from chocolate and other sweets, as well. Your bird should receive enough natural sugar in its new diet to satisfy its sweet tooth.

Article originally appeared in the September 1992 issue of Bird Talk. This is copyrighted material, reprinted with the author's permission. This article may not be reprinted without written consent from the author.
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Grey Cheek Nutrition

Ask the Experts: Grey Cheek Nutrition

by Gail Worth

Q.  How can I get my grey cheeked parakeet to eat better? All he will accept are grapes, apples, cheese, and sunflower and safflower seeds. The pet shop in Florida said he was a locally bred bird, but his leg band was open, and I think he was really an import. My vet agrees and said the band indicated a Florida quarantine station. Where could he have been imported from?

A.  Grey cheeked parakeets are very popular small birds of the Brotogeris genus. Their native habitat is arid scrublands in western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. One of the reasons that grey cheeks are so popular is that they are imported in the late fall as hand-feeding babies are sold quite young and usually quite tame. Thus they can appear to be hand-raised, domestic-bred birds. Actually, grey cheeks are not bred easily in captivity, so the great majority of the birds on the market are imported. The presence of an open band on a bird is not proof that the bird is an import, but in this case, the odds are that your bird was indeed imported.

Grey cheeked parakeets enjoy soft fruits and vegetables. In their native habitat, they are often seen around banana plantations and, indeed, they are quite fond of bananas and plantains (cooking bananas). They also love steamed, baked or boiled yams, carrots and beets. Papaya is one of their favorite fruits. I recommend removing most of all of the safflower and sunflower in your bird's diet and replace them with small seeds, such as you might feed a budgie or cockatiel. Spray millet is an excellent small seed to feed small birds.

In addition to the above-mentioned foods, offer a variety of fruits and vegetables, including broccoli, green beans, corn on the cob, peppers and other nonacid fresh fruits and vegetables in season. If your bird does not accept these new foods readily, don't despair. Continue to offer them. Most birds will learn to enjoy new foods once they become familiar with them.

Article originally appeared in the June 1992 issue of Bird Talk. This is copyrighted material.
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Grey-cheeked Parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhoptera)

Online Resources

Photo via free-pet-wallpapers.com

Suggested Reading Materials for Grey Cheeks


The following resources were found to be very useful in researching grey cheeks for their pet potential or may be read just for fun. Robbie Harris' book and many of her articles mention other members of the Brotogeris family as well as grey cheeks.
Photo via birdway.com.au

Articles (Miscellaneous):

Books:
  • Alderton, David. The Atlas of Parrots of the World, 1991: 290-291.
  • Alderton, David. "Captive Breeding" in Companion Bird Medicine, ed. Elisha W. Burr, Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press, 1987: 15-19 (Brotogeris: 16).
  • Alderton, David. You and Your Pet Bird, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1992: 90.
  • Coburn, John. The Professional's Book of Conures, New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1991: 11,104-109 (photos: 8, 39-40, 43, 45-46, 50-51,55, 59, 62-63, 66, 70, 79, 108-109).
  • de Grahl, M. The Parrot Family, New York: Arco Publishing Inc., 1979: 122.
  • Freud, Arthur. The Complete Parrot, 1995: 191-192.
  • Forshaw, Joseph M. Parrots of the World, 3rd ed., Willoughby, Australia: Lansdowne Editions, 1989: 531-533.
  • Howard, Richard and Moore, Alick. A Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World, 2nd ed., San Diego, CA: Academic Press Ltd., 1991: 110.
  • Juniper, Tony and Parr, Mike. Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1998: 178-179, 490-491.
  • Kolar, Kurt and Spitzer, Karl Heinz. Encyclopedia of Parakeets, 1990: 10,36,172,175.
  • Low, Rosemary. Handrearing Parrots and Other Birds, rev. ed., Blandford, London: Silvo Mattacchione & Co., 1991: 74, 88-89.
  • Low, Rosemary. Parrots in Aviculture: A Photo Reference Guide, Ontario, Canada: Silvo Mattacchione & Co., 1992: 12-15, 228.
  • Low, Rosemary. The Parrots of South America, London: John Gifford Ltd., 1972: 165-166 (photo: 168).
  • Low, Rosemary. Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, 2nd ed., Ontario, Canada: Silvo Mattacchione & Co., 1986: 274, 276-277 (section on Brotogeris).
  • Silva, Tony. Psittaculture: The Breeding, Rearing & Management of Parrots, Silvo Mattacchione & Co.: Ontario, Canada, 1991, p. 270-273 (small section on Brotogeris).
  • Skinner, Martin. The Proper Care of Parrots, Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications Inc., 1992, (photos: 68, 70-71, 140-141).

Magazine Articles:
Photo credit: unknown
  • Anderson, Sue & Elizabeth. "The Plight of Brotogeris," Bird Talk, 19 (May 2001): 60-69.
  • Beisser, Mary. "Rehabilitation of Exotic Birds," Bird Talk, 14 (June 1996): 110-125 (very briefly mentions grey cheeks).
  • Brightsmith, Donald. "The Wild Side of Brotogeris Parakeets," Bird Breeder On-line, June 1999.
  • "Causes & Cures: Scruffy Grey Cheek," Bird Talk 5 (Sept. 1987): 16.
  • Cota, David. "A Taste of Fame," Bird Talk, 9 (April 1991): 52-54,56,58-59.
  • Forster, Susan (Chamberlain). "Small Talk: More About Pocket Parrots," Bird Talk, 9 (May 1991): 10,12.
  • Forster, Susan (Chamberlain). "Perky Pocket Parrots," Bird Talk, 9 (March 1991): 80-81,84-95.
  • "From the Nest Box: Grey Cheeked Parakeets," Bird Talk, 10 (Jan. 1992): 112.
  • Germeau, Smiles. "Breeding Grey Cheek Parakeets," The Domesticated Parrot (Mar. 1997): 14-17.
  • Grindol, Diane. "FYI: Brotogeris Society Formed," Bird Talk, 19 (July 2001): 8.
  • Hampe, Helmut. "Brotogerys Parrakeets (sic)," Avicultural Magazine, 4 (1939): 402-406.
  • Harris, Robbie. See her page of articles.
  • Hoss, Susan. "Hello, My Name Is Captain Flint," Bird Talk, 11 (Sept. 1993): 108-112.
  • Hoss, Susan. "Hooked on Grey Cheeks," SPBE Journal, (OND 1996): 22-26.
  • Kauffman, Melissa L. "Best First Birds," 1997/98 Birds USA: 4-18 (mentions grey cheeks: 12,14).
  • Laubscher, Cyril. "The First Recorded Mutation of The Grey-Cheeked Parakeet," Bird Talk, 16 (Jun. 1998): 56.
  • Levine, Ray. "Back Talk: Pretty Baby - My Best Friend," Bird Talk, 17 (Sep. 1999): 4.
  • Low, Rosemary. "Breeding Two Species of Brotogeris Parrakeets (sic) at Loro Parque," Avicultural Magazine, 93 (1987B): 198-201 (re: grey cheeks & cobalt wing).
  • Marsh, Beverly. "The Grey Cheek: Larger Than Life," Winged Wisdom, (May 1998).
  • Oberkircher, Jeannine. "Special Birds: Grandma's Grey Cheek," Bird Talk, 10 (June 1992): 54.
  • "Parrot Psychology: Bratty Bird?," Bird Talk, 8 (Feb. 1990): 14.
  • "Parrot Psychology: Cheeky Grey Cheek," Bird Talk, 6 (Mar. 1988): 26.
  • "Parrot Psychology: Garrulous Grey Cheeks," Bird Talk, 9 (June 1991): 82-83.
  • "Parrot Psychology: Grey Cheek Mood Swings," Bird Talk, 7 (Nov. 1989): 36,38.
  • "Parrot Psychology: Is Harmony Possible?," Bird Talk, 8 (Oct. 1990): 17.
  • "Parrot Psychology: Night Fright," Bird Talk, 9 (Feb. 1991): 58,60.
  • Pies, Bernita. "Special Birds: Never a Dull Moment," Bird Talk, 7 (Nov. 1989): 26.
  • Pietroski, Linda. "Ask the Experts: Loud Birds," Bird Talk, 9 (Feb. 1991): 39.
  • Randall, Thomas and Porter, Patricia. "Back Talk: Brotogeris Buffs," Bird Talk, 8 (Mar. 1990): 4.
  • "These Birds, Too - Might Be Right For You," Birds USA, 2001: 38-55 (gc's mentioned p. 48; photo p. 38).
  • Thompson, Dale R. "Brotogeris - An Introduction," ASA Avicultural Bulletin, (June 1993): 12-13.
  • Thompson, Dale R. "Brotogeris: Pocket Parrots," Bird Talk, 7 (Sep. 1989): 72-77.
  • Thompson, Dale R. "The Nest Box: Grey Cheeked Parakeets," Bird Talk, 10 (Jan. 1992): 112-113.
  • Voren, Howard. "Brotogeris: The International Diplomat," 1996/97 Birds USA: 110-112.
  • Voren, Howard. "Brotogeris: The Masters of Adaptation," Bird Talk, 15 (May 1997): 50-52,54-57.
  • Voren, Howard. "Parrots of the New World," 1998/99 Birds USA: 4-6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18-20, 22 (section on Brotogeris: 20,22).
  • Worth, Gail. "Ask the Experts: Grey Cheek Cuisine," Bird Talk, 10 (Sept. 1992): 64.
  • Worth, Gail. "Ask the Experts: Grey Cheek Nutrition," Bird Talk, 10 (June 1992): 40-42.
  • Worth, Gail. "Grey-cheeked Parakeet," ASA Avicultural Bulletin, (June 1993): 10.

Scholarly Publications:
Photo via jotaecuador.blogspot.com
  • Best, Brinley J. & Michael Kessler. Biodiversity and Conservation in Tumbesian Ecuador and Peru, Cambridge, UK: Birdlife International, 1995: 49, 124, 130-131, 151, 154, 163-172, 175, 187, 201. [pdf]
  • Best, Brinley J., Christopher T. Clarke, Matthew Checker, Amanda L. Broom, Richard M. Thewlis, Will Duckworth and Angus McNab. "Distributional records, natural history notes, and conservation of some poorly known birds from southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru," (Part I) Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club 113, 1993: 108-119. [BHL]
  • Best, Brinley J., Niels Krabbe, Christopher T. Clarke, and Amanda L. Best. "Red-masked Parakeet (Aratinga erythrogenys) and Grey-cheeked Parakeet (Brotogeris Pyrrhopterus): Two threatened parrots from Tumbesian Ecuador and Peru?" in Bird Conservation International 5, 1995: 233-250. [BCL]
  • Bloch, H., M. K. Poulsen, C. Rahbek, and Rasmussen, J. F. 1991. "A survey of the montane forest avifauna of the Loja Province southern Ecuador", ICBP Study Report 49, Cambridge. [book]
  • Clubb, Susan L. "Private Aviculture in Conservation of Neotropical Psittacines" in New World Parrots in Crisis: Solutions from Conservation Biology, ed. Steven R. Beissinger and Noel F.R. Snyder, Washington and London: Smithsonian Institute Press, 1988: 124-127 (portion of article pertains to grey cheeks).
  • Collar, N.J. and P. Andrew. Birds to Watch: The ICBP World Checklist of Threatened Birds, Technical Publication No. 8, Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1988: 76. [ORYX]
  • Collar, N.J. and A.T. Juniper. "Dimensions and Causes of the Parrot Conservation Crisis" in New World Parrots in Crisis: Solutions from Conservation Biology, ed. Steven R. Beissinger and Noel F.R. Snyder, Washington and London: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1988: 3-21 (portion of article pertains to grey cheeks). [pdf]
  • Davis, Christine. "Avian Behavior" in Companion Bird Medicine, ed. Elisha W. Burr, Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press, 1987: 28-32 (grey cheeks: 28).
  • Davis, Christine. "Common Types of Caged Birds and Comments on Their Temperaments and Pet Quality" in Diseases of Cage and Aviary Birds, ed. Walter J. Rosskopf, Jr. and Richard A. Woerpel, Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996: 11-18 (grey cheeks/Brotogeris: 14).
  • Meyer de Schauensee, Rodolphe. The Species of Birds of South America and Their Distribution, Norberth, PA: Academy of Natural Sciences, 1966: 129-130 (small section on Brotogeris).
  • Parker, Theodore A., III, Thomas S. Schulenberg, Michael Kessler, and Walter H. Wust. "Natural history and conservation of the endemic avifauna in north-west Peru," Bird Conservation International, 5 (1995): 201-231. [pdf]
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