A generously proportioned beak gives the Jardine's parrot an appealing, cartoonish appearance. There are three types of Jardine's, all near-identical, small green South African parrots. The Lesser Jardine's, also known as the orange-crowned parrot (Poicephalus gulielmi fantiensis), is the most commonly available in the United States. It sports a brownish-black back and wings, and orange crown, thighs and wing edges. The black-wing Jardine's (Poicephalus gulielmi gulielmi) is a slightly larger bird with a more reddish crown. The greater Jardine's, or Masai Red-headed parrot (Poicephalus gulielmi massaicus), has a smaller spot of red on the crown and broader green edging on the back feathers. Country of origin: The Jardine's (black-wing) originates in southern Cameroon, northern Angola and northern Kenya. The greater Jardine's can be found in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, and the lesser Jardine's comes from Liberia and Cameroon. 

Size: Small but stockily built with short square tail. The lesser Jardine's is the smallest at 10 inches long and up to 230 grams. The slightly larger black-wing Jardine's measures 11 inches and weighs up to 280 grams. The greater Jardine's also measures 11 inches long but weighs the most, up to 310 grams, or three-quarters of a pound. 

Personality: Among the most playful and energetic, with a penchant for "playing dead" like the caique. Generally steady temperament--sometimes described as an Amazon without the mood swings--but can be nippy. Accepting of strangers. Pleasant voice makes it a good bird for apartment dwellers. 

Talking ability: Moderate to good. May develop fairly large vocabulary but does not enunciate clearly. 

Average lifespan: 30-50 years.