Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can get bored quickly and need plenty of stimulation to avoid problems with their behavior. They can be destructive or even cry if they don't receive enough mental stimulation.
They are extremely intelligent and can mimic human speech. The trade in pet animals and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys are slightly different from the other psittacine species. While they are omnivores in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds over fruits and vegetables.
In captivity, they are more likely to consume 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 suggested to make up 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideally your diet should include a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio would be 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh foods. The best choices are spinach, kale silverbeets, pak choi broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Native plants and spouting grasses such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage as they are rich in oxalic acid, which can block the absorption of calcium by the body.
Nuts are a nutrient-dense addition to the diet, but they should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They are rich in protein as well as healthy fats, and a few vitamins and minerals.
The rest of the diet should consist of a mix of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is poisonous to psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, chocolate, raw potatoes and coffee. In the same way, if a parrot consumes too many berries, they could be suffering from yeast issues in their digestive tract.
A well-balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is important to watch the bird's weight and introduce new foods in small quantities. Doing a daily weigh-in will allow you to observe any changes and then correct them. It's also a good idea to offer the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will prevent dehydration and bacteria-related infections. Unfinished food in the cage or in the play area can be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots can easily learn how to speak. However, it might take them a few days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot that has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep a bird's mind active and stop them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviours like feather-picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding because a parrot that becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive toward others. This could be dangerous for children, the elderly or those who suffer from allergies. To avoid this everyone in the household should spend some time each day playing and interacting with the bird in different ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being touched by everyone in a family and reduce the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
A bird that is tied to one person will typically start biting and pecking visitors or family members when they attempt to pet or touch it. To prevent this from happening the entire family should take turns rubbing the bird before placing it in its cage. If a bird is showing aggression, it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it is calmed down.
During petting sessions be aware of the areas that are referred to as "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers are a source of blood supply, and can cause bleeding when they are they are brushed against. If a blood feather or pinfeather is found to be exposed and bleeds, it should be removed immediately and replaced by 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 allow the bird to develop the ability to speak, and will allow it to communicate with family members without needing to be physically present.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of most intelligent in the world. However, it can become bored and engage in destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their minds. It also needs a great amount of mental stimulation in order to avoid self mutilation, feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to acquire The initial costs are expensive and they require a constant supply of toys that are destroyed quickly, as well as food. They are also prone to infections, and are expensive to treat.
These highly social birds require lots of interaction with humans, including hours of playtime involving games and puzzles as well as lessons. To stay strong and healthy they must exercise for hours a day and out of their cage. The cage should be large enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should have many different kinds of perches that have different sizes and textures and be able to change between them. They also need the roost, which is usually an elevated wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
Parrots need access to clean water at all times, and it must be replenished regularly. They should be fed a variety dark leafy vegetables and dark greens and treats should be limited to 10% of their diet. They should be offered various nuts and seeds, as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should comprise approximately 75% of a diet.
The majority of parrot health problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, bad plumage quality or breeding performance. More significant changes may be a sign of specific disease-related entities. Many of these can be prevented by regular checks from an avian vet and appropriate diet management.
Care
African greys require mental stimulation and lots of attention to be content. If african grey parrots sale is bored, it could exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather grabbing. It is essential to conduct regular veterinary examinations as well as fecal screening and vaccinations performed to ensure that your pet stays healthy.
African greys are monogamous and form exclusive pair bonds which incubate eggs for up to 30 days and caring for the babies until they reach 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They can live for a long time and often outlive their owners, making them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are extremely adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural habitat with lots of trees and perches. They can also use their feet that are facing backwards and two facing front on each foot - to aid in to balance and perch, just as humans do with their hands. Their short beaks have an upper mandible with a curvature that can be easily positioned over the lower one to aid in cracking open nuts and seeds, and their strong grip can rip through wood and bark.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, seeds and nuts as a part of healthy diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% of the total and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid pickiness. They should also be provided with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables as well as cooked legumes and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cages should be cleaned regularly. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be required if the diet is not nutritionally balanced.
The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their populations are decreasing due to illegal trade. Fortunately, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States and receive the highest protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Find out more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!