Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, like toddlers, can become bored quickly and require mental stimulation to prevent behavioral problems. Without it, they may become destructive or even start screaming.
They are highly intelligent and can mimic human speech. The pet trade and destruction of habitats are the primary threats to them.
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 fruits and vegetables.
In captivity they are more likely to eat fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. They are also susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies which is why it is essential for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should constitute 75% of a parrot's diet and it is recommended that they are sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideal diets should comprise pellets as well as freshly prepared food items. A good ratio would be 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best options are kale, spinach, silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Native plants and spouting grasses such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra can also be beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage as they are rich in oxalic acid, which can block the absorption of calcium in the body.
Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to a diet, but they should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in proteins, healthy fats as well as vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should consist of a mixture of vegetables and fruits. It is best to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to Psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, chocolate, coffee and raw potatoes. Similarly, if a parrot consumes too many berries, they may suffer from yeast-related issues in their digestive tract.
A well-balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight and offer new foods in small amounts. It is a good idea to weigh the bird daily so that any changes could be observed and quickly rectified. It is also a good idea to provide the bird with fresh water regularly. This will help to avoid dehydration and bacterial infections. It is also important to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area as it can spoil and cause health issues for your pet.
Training
Parrots are highly intelligent and can easily learn to speak, though it might take days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot that is well-trained can respond to signals and perform simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind engaged and keep them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviours like feather-picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding as a pet that becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive toward others. This could be extremely dangerous for people with disabilities, children or people with allergies. To avoid this, all members of the household should spend time every day playing and interacting with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable with being loved by the family and reduce the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.
If a parrot is in a relationship to a single person, it may bite and scratch at family members or guests who attempt to pet or handle it. To avoid this the entire family should take turns petting the bird before putting it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggressive behavior it should be returned to its cage for a period of time and not handled until it is 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 pinfeather or 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 also be taught to identify food items or toys. This will allow you to train the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members without being physically near them.
Health
While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it is bored easily and will resort to destructive behavior in the absence of toys or other ways to exercise its mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screaming. Parrots are expensive pets to own. The initial costs are expensive, and they require a constant supply of toys that are quickly destroyed. They can also be susceptible to infections, which could be costly to treat.
These highly social birds need lots of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime that includes games, puzzles and lessons. To stay healthy and strong they must be active for hours every day and being outside of their cage. Their cage should be big enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It should be constructed from non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should include several perches with different heights and textures so that birds can move between them. They also need a roost, usually a tall wooden post or a concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have fresh water available and it should be changed every day. They should be offered various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, with treats limited to no more than about 10% of the diet. They should be served a wide range of seeds and nuts as well. About 75% of their food should be made up of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
The majority of parrot disease issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor problems will manifest as poor growth and development, poor quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more significant changes can manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these can be prevented with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management.
Care
African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it will be depressed and show negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation and feather grabbing. To keep your pet healthy it is vital to have regular veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.
Charming African Grey Parrot For Sale greys are monogamous and form a dedicated pair bond which incubate eggs for up to 30 days, and caring 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 often outlive their owners, making them a beloved pet in the world.
They are highly adaptable and can be adapted to a variety of environments, but they prefer a natural setting with plenty of trees and perches 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, just like humans do. Their short beaks are curved and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This helps them break open seeds, nuts and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as a part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid excessive pickiness. They should also be offered a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water must always be available, and cages must be cleaned daily. If the diet isn't adequate, supplements like vitamin D or calcium may be required.
The World Parrot Trust is working hard to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots and their habitats. However, their numbers are decreasing due to illegal trade. Fortunately, they are protected under 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 incredible birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!