Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to avoid problems with their behavior. They can be destructive or scream if they don't get enough mental stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are arguably the most accurate mimics of all species of parrots. They can recognize human speech. They face threats from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. Although they are omnivores in the wild, they are more attracted to 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 therefore it is crucial for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should comprise 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 comprise a mixture of pellets and fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. The best choices are spinach, kale silverbeet, pak choi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Also, native plants and sprouting grasses like dandelion leaves, sweetcorn and endive are good choices. However, you should avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are rich in oxalic acid. This can hinder the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts are a great source of nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation due to their high fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should be the combination of fruits and veggies. It is best to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to Psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. Similarly, if a parrot eats too many berries they may suffer from yeast problems in their digestive tract.
A balanced diet is the best way to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is important to watch the bird's weight and provide new food items in small amounts. It is a good idea to weigh the bird every day so that any changes can be spotted and swiftly corrected. It's also a great idea to provide the bird with fresh water on a regular basis. This will help prevent dehydration and bacteria-related infections. It is also essential 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 parrot.
Training
Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it might take them 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 cues. These activities keep a bird's mind engaged and keep them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviours like feather-picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It's crucial to prevent over-bonding because a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive toward others. This could be extremely dangerous for children, elderly people or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening everyone in the household should spend time each day playing and interacting with the parrot in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being touched by members of the family and lessen the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behaviour.
If a parrot is in a relationship to a single person it will peck and bite at other family members or guests who try to touch or pet it. To prevent this from happening, family members should each take turns in petting the bird or putting it into its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggressive behavior then it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a while.
During petting sessions, be aware of areas that are thought to be "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers have a blood supply, and can be bleed if they are touched. If a pinfeather or blood feather is found to be exposed, it must be immediately clipped and replaced with a fresh feather.
Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught how 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 close to them.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it could get bored and turn to destructive behavior if it is not provided with enough toys or ways to exercise their mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screaming. Parrots can be costly pets to have. The initial costs are expensive, and they require constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. They are also susceptible to infections, which could be costly to treat.
These highly social birds require lots of interaction with humans, including hours of playtime involving games, puzzles and lessons. They also need hours of exercise and time out of cage every day to build strength and remain healthy. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be clean, safe and made from nontoxic materials. It should include a variety of kinds of perches, with different sizes and textures in order to switch between them. They also need an roost, typically a tall wooden post or a concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
The parrots should always have fresh water available and it should be changed every day. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and should be restricted to no more than about 10% of the diet. It is also recommended to offer a variety of seeds and nuts. Around 75% of their diet should be made up of high-quality pellets or granules.
The majority of parrot health problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, bad plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will manifest themselves as specific disease entities. Many of these issues can be avoided through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian and proper diet management.
Care
Like any other bird, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be content. If a parrot is bored, it may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or even feather picking. To keep your pet healthy it is essential to get routine veterinary examinations, fecal testing and vaccinations.
African greys are monogamous and form dedicated pair bonds that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days, and caring for the babies until they are about 10 weeks old. They can fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They can live for a long time and are often able to outlive their owners, making them a beloved pet in the world.
They are extremely adaptive and can adapt to many different environments. However they prefer a natural setting with plenty of trees and perches. They can use their feet to balance and perch - with two facing back on each foot, and two facing forward on each foot, exactly as humans do. Their short beaks feature a mandible that is curved and can be easily positioned over the lower mandible to assist in breaking open seeds and nuts, and their strong grip could tear through bark and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as a part of an optimum diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% of the diet and should be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid the possibility of picking. Additionally they should be served with a variety fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked lentils and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. If the diet isn't complete, supplements such as calcium or vitamin D could be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. 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). Learn talking african grey parrot for sale about these amazing birds in our parrot dictionary!