Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, much like toddlers, can become bored easily and require mental stimulation to avoid behavioral problems. If they don't get enough stimulation, they could become destructive or even start screaming.
Highly intelligent, they are arguably the best mimics among all parrot species and can understand human speech. They face threats from the trade in pets and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. They are omnivores, but they prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables.
In captivity In captivity, they are more likely than not to consume fruits and seeds. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity which is why it is essential for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to comprise 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideally the diet should comprise a mix of pellets and fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Kale, spinach and silverbeet are some of the best choices. Sprouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acid, which can block the absorption of calcium in the body.
Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to the diet, but should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should consist of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. It is best to stay clear of avocado because it is toxic to Psittacines. Other common toxic food includes alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. If a parrot eats too many fruits, they may develop yeast issues in the gastrointestinal tract.
A well-balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight, and introduce new foods in small quantities. It is recommended to weigh the bird daily so that any changes can be spotted and swiftly be rectified. Offering the bird regularly water is an excellent idea too. This will stop dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area may be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and can easily learn to speak, though it may require days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to signals and perform simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and keep them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors like feather picking or destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It is crucial to stop the signs of bonding early as if a bird becomes totally attached to a single member of the family, it could become territorial and threatening to other people. This could be extremely dangerous for people with disabilities, children or people with allergies. To avoid this, all members of the household should spend some time each day playing with and engaging 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 over protective behavior.
If a parrot is in a relationship with a single person, it may bite and scratch at other family members or guests trying to pet or handle it. To prevent this from happening the entire family should be able to alternate petting the bird before placing it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it calms down.
During petting sessions Be aware of areas that are referred to as "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers have a blood supply, and could be bleed if touched. If a blood feather is found to be exposed, it must be promptly clipped and replaced with a new feather.
In addition to a petting session, family members should be taught to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. The bird should be taught to label toys or food. This will help train the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, it could get bored and turn to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or ways to exercise their mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screams. Parrots are expensive pets to own. The initial costs are expensive, and they require a constant supply of toys that are quickly destroyed. They are also prone to infections and can be costly to treat.
These highly social birds require lots of interaction with humans, including hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. They also require hours of exercise and out-of-cage time each day to build strength and stay healthy. The cage should be large enough for them to move around freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should have a variety of perches, with different heights and textures so that birds can change between them. They also require a roost, usually a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
Parrots must have access to water that is fresh at all times and it should be replaced every day. They should be fed a variety dark leafy vegetables and dark greens, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. Also, you should offer a variety of seeds and nuts. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should constitute about 75% of a diet.
Most disease problems in parrots are the result of long-term food inconsistencies. Minor issues can result in poor growth, bad plumage quality or breeding performance. More severe changes could be a sign of specific diseases. Many of these are preventable by regular checks with an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
You can also learn how to care for yourself.
Like all birds, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be happy. If a bird is bored, it may display negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. To ensure your pet's health it is vital to regularly undergo veterinary exams, fecal testing and vaccinations.
African greys are monogamous. They form exclusive pair bonds which incubate eggs for up to 30 days. gizmo the grey parrot care for the babies until they reach 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They have long lives and often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets across the world.
They are highly adaptable and can easily adjust to a variety of environments, but they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches to explore. They can use their feet to balance and perch - with two facing back on each foot, and two facing forward on each foot, exactly like humans do. Their short beaks are curved and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This makes it easier for them to crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits nuts and seeds as part of healthy diet. However, seeds should only make up no more than 5% of the diet total and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that 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 must be cleaned every day. If the diet is not complete, supplements such as calcium or vitamin D could be required.
The World Parrot Trust is working hard to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their numbers are decreasing due to illegal trade. Luckily, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States and receive the most protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!
