Are there any "cape" parrot owners on the forum?

[EmilyGrace]

I'm thinking about getting a cape parrot, but I haven't been able to find much information about them. What I have found, I love. Are there any "cape" owners here? Which species to do you prefer (grey-headed or brown-necked)? What's an average day with a cape like? If anyone has any information about them, I would really appreciate it.

[Tom Lawless]

Yes, BethN. She is not out here all the time but she does check in somewhat regularly. She has a really great Cape Parrot.

[kellywess]

No but I have one who is a verry good buddy of mine at the pet store. I am one of the few people who can handle him. He displays for me the minute I enter the bird room until I go fetch him. He stays on my shoulder while I shop and chatters and talks as we walk around until I am done. We go and get him an almond and i return him to his stand. His name is Scout and he has the sweetest voice when he talks. I love him dearly, it took a long time to earn his trust. I would take him home in a heart beat if I wasn't over stocked and had a $1800.00 to spare. I just love him to pieces. He is about 18 months old. He is a Grey Headed one, he is pretty quiet, he talks really well, loves his toys, quite the acrobat and loves his almonds. He is very very particular about who he likes. He will turn his head sideways for me and rest it on the floor of his stand so I can scratch him... then he wants to be picked up immediately once the scritchin' is done. Hes adorable.

[xafsmom]

Originally Posted by EmilyGrace

I'm thinking about getting a cape parrot, but I haven't been able to find much information about them. What I have found, I love. Are there any "cape" owners here? Which species to do you prefer (grey-headed or brown-necked)? What's an average day with a cape like? If anyone has any information about them, I would really appreciate it.

You won't find any grey-headed (P.f. suahelicus) in the US. Just P.f. fuscicollis. For lack of other Cape owners, you can ask Jardines owners on their birds - the personality is pretty much the same, save Capes are a bit more mellow.

[kellywess]

Maybe the one up the street is a "brown-head" looks light grey to me. I will have to take some pics of Scout and post them later. Hes a cute bird... very stout little fella. One heck of a beak which I have been told hurts since he bites to do harm... even though I have never had a problem with him. I will get some pics this weekend and post them. Gives me a reason to go and play with him. I usually take some fruit and veggies up there on the weekends anyways. Its Pomegranate season, those people up there love it when I bring Poms and give them to all of the Toos.

[kellywess]

Okay, I went and took some pics. This is Scout. Xafsmom... what color. I say grey, I could be wrong. Whatever he is I love him. I wish I had room for one more. I love the fact that I am one of the very few people he likes.

[EmilyGrace]

Originally Posted by xafsmom

You won't find any grey-headed (P.f. suahelicus) in the US. Just P.f. fuscicollis. For lack of other Cape owners, you can ask Jardines owners on their birds - the personality is pretty much the same, save Capes are a bit more mellow.

From my research, in the U.S., we have both the P.f.s. and P.f.f., we don't have P.r. I even found a breeder in Texas that seems to breed both the grey-headed and brown-necked. But there do seem to be more P.f.f.
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Cape Parrots - Poicephalus Robustus - Robustus, Fusicollis, Suahelicus, Grey-Headed, Brown-Necked, Brown-Headed - Misc. Parrot Information
Poicephalus Parrot Overview - African Queen Aviaries

[EmilyGrace]

Scout is so handsome! I don't know of any pet stores around me that allow you to interact with the birds. They are all locked behind glass and they show you the bird. We only have the big corporate pet stores around here.

[kellywess]

The two pet stores with birds we have here, we are fortunate enough to be able to walk up and handle. Problem is... attachment. This little guy dances and bobs the minute I walk into the bird room and he is in the back. I love him dearly, it took me a long time to get him to step up for me, now the foot goes up as I am walking back to get him. Hes precious.

[xafsmom]

I'm impressed if that's truely P. f. s, and hopeful that it's not a mixed pairing.

Kelly: Normally, I'd say P. f. f by default, but if OWA is breeding P. f. s pures then I'll eat my words and rejoice!