caring for an grey Parrot For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, just like toddlers, are prone to becoming bored easily and require mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. If they don't get enough stimulation, they could become destructive or start screaming.
They are extremely intelligent and can mimic human speech. They face threats from the trade in pets and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. They are omnivores, but they prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables.
In captivity they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy greens than seeds. They are also prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies therefore it is crucial for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to comprise 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideally the diet should comprise a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Some of the best choices are kale, spinach, silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Sprouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower as they are rich in oxalic acids, which can block the absorption of calcium by the body.
Nuts are a great source of nutrients, but they should be consumed in moderation due to their high fat content. They provide protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should be made up of a mix of vegetables and fruits. It's best to avoid avocado since it can be toxic to psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. If a parrot eats excessive amounts of berries, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight and introduce new food in small amounts. It is beneficial to weigh the bird every day so that any changes could be easily observed and rectified. Offering the bird regularly water is also a good idea. This will help prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. Food that is not consumed in the cage or play area may be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are very intelligent creatures and are able to speak, though it may take days or even weeks to repeat back words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to signals and perform simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's brain active and keep them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors like feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding because a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive towards others. This can be very risky for children, elderly people or those with allergies. To avoid this it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time each day with the parrot in various ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being touched by everyone in a family and reduce the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.
A parrot that is attached to one person is likely to start biting and pecking at other family members or visitors when they attempt to pet or touch it. To avoid this the entire family should be able to alternate petting the bird before placing it in its cage. If a bird exhibits aggression then it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a period of time.
During the petting sessions Be aware of areas that are referred to as "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply, and could bleed when they are touched. If a bloody feather or pinfeather is exposed and bleeds, it should be removed immediately and replaced with another one.
In addition to a petting session, family members should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. They should also be taught to teach the bird how to label items, such as toys or food items. This will make it easier for the bird to develop the ability to speak, and will 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 easily and will use destructive behaviors if not given enough toys or other methods to stimulate its mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation in order 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 are quickly destroyed. They can also be susceptible to infections, which can be costly to treat.
These highly social birds require lots of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime that includes games and puzzles as well as lessons. They also need hours of exercise and out-of-cage time every day to build up strength and stay healthy. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move around freely and spread their wings. It must be clean, safe and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should include a variety of perches, with different sizes and textures so that the birds can move between them. A roost is also required typically made of concrete or a wooden perch at the corner of the cage.
Parrots should have access to fresh water at all times, and it is recommended to replenish it regularly. They should be provided with various dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits, with treats limited to a maximum of 10% of the diet. They should be served an array of nuts and seeds, as well. Around 75% of their food should consist of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
Most disease problems in parrots are caused by long-term diet imbalances. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, bad plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More severe changes could appear as distinct disease-related entities. A lot of these can be prevented by regular 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 lots of attention to be content. If a parrot is bored, it may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation, or even feather picking. To ensure that your pet is healthy it is vital to get routine veterinary examinations including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.
African greys form monogamous couples and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They tend to their babies until they reach around 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They can live a long time, and often outlive their owners, which makes them a beloved pet in the world.
They are extremely adaptable and can adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural setting with plenty of trees and perches. They are able to use their feet with two faces facing back and two facing front on each foot - to aid in perch and balance, just like humans use their hands. Their short beaks have a curved upper mandible that can be easily positioned over the lower mandible to assist in breaking open seeds and nuts and their strong grip can rip through wood and bark.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, nuts and seeds as part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% and be supplemented by high-quality crumbles or pellets to prevent excessive pickiness. Additionally it is recommended to provide a variety fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water should always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned daily. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be necessary if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust is working hard to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their numbers are declining 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 enjoy the highest protection under CITES. Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!