Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. Without it, they may be destructive or start screaming.
They are extremely intelligent and can mimic human speech. They face threats from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. They are omnivores but they prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables.
In captivity they are more likely to consume fruits and leafy greens rather than seeds. They also are prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity so it is important for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should constitute 75% of a bird's diet, and it is recommended that they be purchased from reputable brands such as Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideally the diet should comprise a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. The best choices are spinach, kale silverbeet, 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 such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acid, which can hinder the absorption of calcium in the body.
Nuts are a great source of nutrients, but they should be consumed in moderation because of their high fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should consist of a mix of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is poisonous to the psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include alcohol, chocolate, raw potatoes and coffee. Similarly, if a parrot consumes too many berries, they may suffer from yeast problems in their gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight, and introduce new foods in small quantities. It is beneficial to weigh the bird every day to ensure that any changes can be easily observed and corrected. Regularly offering the bird water is an excellent idea too. This will prevent dehydration and bacteria-related infections. It is also important to take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area because it will spoil and can lead to health problems for your parrot.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and can easily learn to speak, though it may require days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot that is trained well can also do simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep a bird's brain stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These problems require the intervention of a professional.
It's crucial to prevent over-bonding as a pet that becomes too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive towards others. This could be harmful for children as well as the elderly or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all members of the household should spend some time each day with the parrot in various ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being touched by everyone in family members and reduce the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
When a parrot is bonded to a single person, it may bite and peck at family members or guests who try to touch or pet it. To prevent this from happening, family members should each take turns petting the bird or putting it into its cage. If a bird is showing aggressive behavior it should be returned to its cage for a period of time and not handled until it has calmed down.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply and can bleed when they are brushed against. If a blood feather or pinfeather becomes exposed and bleeds, it should be clipped immediately and replaced by an entirely new one.
In addition to a petting session, family members should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. They should also be instructed to teach the bird how to label items, such as food or toys. This will help the bird to learn to speak and it will also enable it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present.
Health
The African grey parrot is one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, parrots african grey for sale can get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or ways to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screams. Parrots are expensive pets to own. The initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys which are destroyed quickly. They are also susceptible to infections, which can be costly to treat.
These highly social birds need lots of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime that includes games and puzzles as well as lessons. To remain strong and healthy they should exercise for hours a day and escaping their cage. Their cage must be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be made of nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should include a variety of perches, with different heights and textures so that birds can move between them. They also require the roost, which is usually an elevated wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have fresh water available and this should be changed daily. They should be fed a variety dark leafy vegetables and dark greens, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. They should be offered an array of nuts and seeds, as well. Around 75% of their food should consist of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
The majority of parrot disease issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, bad plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will appear as distinct disease entities. Many of these issues can be avoided with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian and proper diet management.
Care
As with all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be content. If a parrot is bored, it could display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather grabbing. To ensure your pet's health it is vital to get routine veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.
African greys are monogamous. They form a dedicated pair bond that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days and caring for the infants until they reach 10 weeks of age. They can fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They can live a long time and are often able to outlive their owners, making them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are highly adaptable and can easily adjust to a variety of environments, but they prefer a natural environment with plenty 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, just like humans do. Their short beaks are curved and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This helps them crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as part of an optimum diet. However, seeds should make only 5% of the diet total and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that reduce pickinginess. Additionally, they should be offered various fresh vegetables, fruits as well as cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. If the diet isn't sufficient, supplements such as vitamin D or calcium may be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, however, their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Luckily, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States and receive the highest level of protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Find out more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!