Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, just like toddlers, can become bored easily and need mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. If they don't get enough stimulation, they could be destructive or start screaming.
Highly intelligent, they are arguably the most accurate mimics of all parrot species and can recognize human speech. The pet trade and destruction of habitats are the primary threats to them.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. They are omnivores however, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.
In captivity they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. It is also crucial to monitor the quality and quantity of their diets since they are susceptible to excess weight and calcium deficiency. Pellets or complete crumbles should constitute 75% of a bird's diet, and it is recommended that they are purchased from reputable brands such as Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideally, the diet should contain a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good proportion is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. The best choices are spinach, kale silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Sprouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, okra and okra can also be beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower because they contain high levels of oxalic acid, which can prevent calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are a rich source of nutrients to a diet, but they should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in proteins, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should be a mixture of vegetables and fruits. It is best to stay clear of avocado because it is toxic to Psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. Similar to parrots, if a bird consumes too many berries, they can suffer from yeast problems in their digestive tract.
A balanced diet is the best way to keep your African grey parrot healthy and happy. It is crucial to keep an eye on the bird's weight, and to provide new food items in small amounts. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will allow you to detect any changes and correct them. Regularly offering the bird water is an excellent idea too. This will help prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. Unfinished food in the cage or in the play area may be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it could take them a few days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot that has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's mind engaged and keep them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding as a pet who becomes too attached to one can become territorial and agressive towards other animals. This could be harmful for children and the elderly, as well as those who suffer from allergies. To avoid this, all members of the household should spend time each day playing and interacting with the parrot in various ways. This will help the bird become more comfortable when touched by everyone in the family and decrease the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
A parrot that is attached to one person will typically start biting and pecking at other family members or visitors when they try to pet or touch it. To avoid this, each family member should take turns petting the bird and putting it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggression, it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it has calmed down.
During petting sessions, be aware of areas that are thought to be "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers have a blood supply, and can cause bleeding if they are brushed against. If a blood feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather.
Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught how to identify food items and toys. This will allow the bird to learn to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present.
Health
While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it can become bored quickly and use destructive behaviors if not given enough toys or other methods to exercise its mind. It also requires a amount of mental stimulation in order to prevent self-mutilation feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to own - the initial costs are expensive and they need constant new toys that will be destroyed quickly, as well as food. They are also prone to infections, and are costly to treat.
These social birds require lots of interaction with human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime involving games, puzzles and lessons. They also require a lot of exercise and free time every day to build up strength and remain healthy. The cage should be large enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed of nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have various perches with different heights and styles so that the birds can switch between them. A roost is also needed typically a wooden post or concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
Parrots must have access to fresh water throughout the day and should be replaced every day. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens and other vegetables and should limit their treats to 10 percent of their diet. They should be provided with an array of nuts and seeds, as well. Around 75% of their food should be made up of high-quality pellets or granules.
The majority of parrot-related problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor irregularities will show up as poor growth and development, bad quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more significant changes will manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these can be avoided by regular check-ups from an avian vet, and the proper management of diet.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
Like any other bird, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be content. If a bird is bored, it could display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation or even feather picking. It is crucial to conduct routine veterinary exams, fecal screening and vaccinations done to ensure that your pet is healthy.
African greys are monogamous and form a dedicated pair bond which incubate eggs for up to 30 days and caring for the young until they fledge at about 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They have long lives and are often able to outlive their human owners, making them popular pets around the world.
They are extremely adaptive and can adapt to many different environments. However, they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches. They can even use their feet that are facing backwards and two facing front on each foot - to aid in balance and perch, much as humans do with their hands. Their short beaks have a curved upper mandible that fits neatly over the lower one to assist in breaking open nuts and seeds, and their strong grip can rip through wood and bark.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits, seeds and dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% of the diet and should be supplemented by high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent pickiness. They should also be provided with various fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked legumes and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cages should be cleaned regularly. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally balanced.
baby african grey parrot for sale works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their populations are declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, they are protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also receive the highest protection under CITES. Find out more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!