Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, much like toddlers, can become bored easily and need mental stimulation to prevent behavioral problems. They can be destructive or shout if they don't get enough mental stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are the most accurate mimics of all species of parrots and comprehend human speech. They are at risk from the trade in pets and habitat loss.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.
In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to consume seeds and fruit. 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% of a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should comprise a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared food items. A good proportion is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale silverbeets, pak choi sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaf, endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are rich in oxalic acid, which could hinder the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts are a rich source of nutrients to the diet, but should be fed sparingly because of their fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, as well as minerals and vitamins.
The rest of your diet should comprise a mixture of fruits and veggies. Avocado is poisonous to the psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, chocolate, raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot eats excessive amounts of fruits, they may develop yeast issues in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is important to watch the bird's weight and offer new foods in small amounts. Weighing the bird every day will allow you to identify any changes and rectify them. Offering the bird regularly water is an excellent idea too. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. It is also important to remove any food that is not eaten from the cage or play area as it will spoil and could lead to health problems for your pet.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and can easily learn to speak, although they might take days or weeks to repeat words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to cues and perform simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and stop them from getting bored. Boredom can lead to unwelcome behaviours like feather-picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It's crucial to prevent over-bonding because a parrot who becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive towards other animals. This can be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those with allergies. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time each day with the parrot in different ways. This will allow the bird to feel more comfortable being touched by all members of the family and decrease the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
A parrot that is attached to a single person will usually begin pecking and biting at visitors or family members when they try to pet or touch it. To avoid this family members should take turns in petting the bird or placing it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it is calmed down.
During petting sessions, be aware of areas that are thought to be "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply, and can cause bleeding when brushed against. If a pinfeather or blood feather is found to be exposed, it must be immediately clipped and replaced with a new feather.
In addition to petting, family members should be taught to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. The bird should be taught to identify food items or toys. This will help train the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members without being physically near them.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of most intelligent 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 a lot of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screams. Parrots are expensive pets to have. The initial costs are expensive, and they require constant new toys that are quickly destroyed. They are also susceptible to infections, which could be costly to treat.
These highly social birds need lots of interaction with humans, including hours of playtime that includes games or puzzles, as well as lessons. They also require hours of exercise and time out of cage each day to build strength and remain healthy. The cage should be big enough to allow them to move around freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed of non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have many different kinds of perches, with different sizes and textures and be able to change them. They also require the roost, which is usually a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
Parrots need access to fresh water at all times, and it must be replenished daily. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and vegetables, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. It is also recommended to offer a variety of seeds and nuts. About 75% of their diet should consist of high-quality pellets or granules.
Most disease problems in parrots are caused by long-term diet imbalances. Minor issues can result in poor growth, poor plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More significant changes may manifest themselves as specific diseases. Many of these issues can be prevented with regular well-checks from an avian vet, and proper diet management.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
African greys need mental stimulation and plenty of attention in order to be content. If a parrot is bored it will become depressed and show negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. It is crucial to conduct regular veterinary examinations including fecal screening, vaccinations and feces carried out to ensure your pet stays healthy.
African greys are monogamous. They form a dedicated pair bond that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days and Caring For An Grey Parrot for the infants until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They are able to fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They can live for a long time and are often able to outlive their owners, which makes them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are extremely adaptable and can easily adjust to different environments However, they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches to explore. They are able to use their feet that are facing backwards and two facing forward on each foot - to aid in to balance and perch, just like humans use their hands. Their short beaks feature a mandible that is curved and is a perfect fit over the lower to help them crack open seeds and nuts and their strong grip can cut through bark and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% and be supplemented by high-quality crumbles or pellets to prevent pickiness. Also it is recommended to provide a variety fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water must always be available, and cages should be cleaned every day. If the diet is not adequate, supplements like calcium or vitamin D could be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their populations are declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. They are, however, protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also receive the highest level protection under CITES. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot encyclopedia!