Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Like toddlers, African grey parrots can get bored quickly and need plenty of stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They may become destructive or shout if they don't get enough mental stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics of all species of parrots. They can recognize human speech. The trade in pet animals and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. Although they are omnivores in the wild, they prefer seeds over vegetables and fruits.
In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to eat seeds and fruit. They also are prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity which is why it is essential for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should constitute 75% of a parrot's diet, and it is recommended that they be sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideally, the diet should contain a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Some of the best options are kale, spinach, silverbeet, pak choi, sweetcorn, carrots, and broccoli. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses like dandelion leaves, endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and cabbage, since they are high in levels of oxalic acids, which hinder calcium absorption by the body.
Nuts are a rich source of nutrients to a diet, but they should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They are a source of protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
The rest of the diet should consist of a mix of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is toxic to Psittacines. Other common toxic food includes alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. Similar to parrots, if a bird consumes too many berries, they can 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 important to monitor the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small quantities. It is beneficial to weigh the bird on a daily basis so that any changes can be spotted and swiftly be rectified. Offering talking african grey parrot for sale Charming African Grey Parrot For Sale is an excellent idea too. This will stop dehydration and bacterial infection. It is also important to take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area as it will spoil and can cause health issues for your pet.
Training
Parrots are highly intelligent and are able to easily learn to speak, though it may require days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's brain active and stop them from getting bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is important to stop bonding in the bud in the event that a parrot becomes a devoted person in a family it may become territorial and aggressive towards others. This can be dangerous for children, the elderly or those who suffer from allergies. To prevent this from happening, all members of the household should spend time each day with the parrot in various ways. This will make the bird more comfortable with being touched by members of the family and lessen the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.
A parrot that is attached to a single person will usually begin pecking and biting at other family members or visitors when they attempt to pet or touch it. To avoid this it is recommended that each family member take turns rubbing the bird before placing it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggression, it should be returned to its cage for a period of time and not handled until it has calmed down.
During the petting sessions be aware of the areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply, and can be bleed if touched. If a blood or pinfeather feather is exposed, it should be removed immediately and replaced with a new feather.
Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be instructed to teach the bird to label items, such as toys or food items. This will allow the bird to learn to speak, and will allow it to communicate with family members without needing to be physically present.
Health
The African grey parrot is one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it could get bored and turn to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their minds. It also needs a great amount of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, feather picking and excessive screaming. Parrots can be costly pets to own. The initial costs are high, and they need constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. They also are susceptible to infections and can be expensive to treat.
These highly social birds need plenty of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime involving games and puzzles as well as 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 clean, safe and made from nontoxic materials. It should come with a variety of types of perches with varying heights and textures in order to switch between them. They also require the roost, which is usually a tall wooden post or an elevated concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
The parrots should always have clean water available and it should be changed every day. They should be offered a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and treats should be limited to not more than 10% of their diet. They should be offered various seeds and nuts as well. About 75% of their diet should consist of high-quality crumbles or pellets.
The majority of parrot-related issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Small irregularities can manifest as slow growth and development, poor quality plumage or breeding performance while more significant changes will manifest as distinct diseases. Many of these can be avoided by regular check-ups from an avian vet and appropriate diet management.
You can also learn how to care for yourself.
Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be happy. If a parrot becomes bored, it could display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. To ensure that your pet is healthy, it is important to get routine veterinary examinations including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.
African greys are monogamous and form dedicated pair bonds that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days, and caring for the babies until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They can fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They have long lives and are often able to outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets across the world.
They are highly adaptable and can be adapted to many different environments, but they prefer a natural habitat with plenty of perches and trees to explore. They can use their feet to balance and perch - with two faces back on each foot and two facing forward on each foot, exactly as humans do. Their beaks are short and have a curved upper mandible that fits neatly over the lower to aid in cracking open nuts and seeds, and their powerful grip can tear through bark and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits, seeds and dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. However, seeds should make only 5% of the total diet and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that prevent pickiness. Also, they should be offered an assortment of fresh vegetables, fruits, and cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water should be available and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be necessary if your diet is not nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their populations are declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. 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 incredible birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!