Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, like toddlers, can get bored easily and require mental stimulation to avoid behavioral problems. They could be destructive or cry if they don't receive enough stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics of all species of parrots and comprehend human speech. The trade in pet animals and habitat destruction are the main threats to them.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they prefer seeds to fruit and vegetables.
In captivity, they are more likely to eat fruit and leafy greens than seeds. They also are prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies which is why it is essential for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to make up 75% of a parrot's daily diet.
Ideally your diet should include a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. The best choices are spinach, kale silverbeet, pakchoi, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaves endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower as they are rich in oxalic acids, which can block the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts are a great source of nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation due to their fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should be a mixture of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is poisonous to the psittacines. Other food items that are toxic include chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. In the same way, if a parrot eats too many berries they could suffer from yeast-related issues in their gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best way to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight, and to offer new foods in small quantities. It is beneficial to weigh the bird on a daily basis to ensure that any changes can be easily observed and rectified. It is also a good idea to give the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or in the play area can be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it may take them a few days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot that is well-trained can respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and stop them from getting bored. Boredom can lead to unwelcome behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It is important to stop bonding in the bud, because if a parrot becomes totally attached to a single person in a family it could become territorial and aggressive towards other members of the family. This can be very risky for people with disabilities, children or those with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all members of the household should spend some time each day playing with and engaging with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more at ease being touched by members of the family and decrease the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
When a parrot is bonded with a single person, it may bite and peck at family members or guests who attempt to handle or pet it. To prevent this from happening, family members should each take turns rubbing the bird or putting it in its cage. If a bird exhibits aggression, it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes.
During pet-loving sessions, be aware of areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers have a blood supply and may bleed when they are brushed against. If a bloody feather pinfeather becomes exposed, it must be removed immediately and replaced with a new one.
Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be taught to teach the bird how to identify items, like toys or food items. This will help teach the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them.
Health
While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots in the world, it is bored quickly and resort to destructive behavior in the absence of toys or other opportunities to exercise its mind. It also requires a amount of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to own The initial costs are costly and they require constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, plus food. They are also susceptible to infections, and are costly to treat.
These highly social birds need plenty of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime that includes games, puzzles and lessons. They also need hours of exercise and out-of-cage time every day to build strength and remain healthy. Their cage should be big enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It must be safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should include a variety of types of perches with varying dimensions and heights and be able to change them. They also need a roost, usually a tall wooden post or an elevated concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
Parrots should have access to clean water at all times, and it should be replaced every day. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and treats should be limited to no more than about 10% of their diet. They should be provided with various nuts and seeds, as well. About 75% of their diet should be made up of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
The majority of the problems with parrots are the result of long-term diet imbalances. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, poor plumage quality or breeding performance. More marked changes will be a sign of specific disease-related entities. Many of these can be prevented through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
As with all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be content. If a bird is bored, it will be depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. It is crucial to conduct regular veterinary exams as well as fecal screening and vaccinations carried out to ensure your pet is healthy.
charming african grey parrot For sale greys form monogamous couples and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They take care of their babies until they reach about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They live long and can often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets across the world.
They are highly adaptive and can adapt to different environments. However they prefer a natural environment with plenty of trees and perches. They can use their feet to balance and perch - with two facing back on each foot and two facing forward on each foot, just as humans do. Their short beaks feature a mandible that is curved and is a perfect fit over the lower one to help them crack open seeds and nuts, and their powerful grip can rip through wood and bark.
In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make less than 5% of the diet total and should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that reduce the emergence of pickiness. They should also be served with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage cleaning is required daily. If the diet is not complete, supplements such as calcium or vitamin D could be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, but their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest level protection under CITES. Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!