Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Like toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to avoid problems with their behavior. If they don't get enough stimulation, they could become destructive or even start screaming.
Highly intelligent, they are arguably the best mimics among all species of parrots and comprehend human speech. They are at risk from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys are a little different from the other psittacine species. They are omnivores but prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables.
In captivity they are more likely to consume fruits and leafy greens rather than seeds. It is also essential to check the quality and quantity of their diets since they are prone to excess weight and calcium deficiency. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to make up 75% of a bird's daily diet.
Ideally the diet should comprise pellets as well as fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh food. Kale, spinach and silverbeet are among the top options. The spouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra can also be beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage, since they are high in levels of oxalic acids, which may hinder calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to a diet, but should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in proteins, healthy fats and minerals and vitamins.
The rest of your diet should comprise an assortment of vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to stay clear of avocado because it is toxic to Psittacines. Other common toxic food includes chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. If a parrot eats excessive amounts of fruits, they could develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight and to introduce new foods in small quantities. It is recommended to weigh the bird on a daily basis so that any changes can be easily observed and be rectified. Regularly offering the bird water is an excellent idea too. This will prevent dehydration and bacteria-related infections. It is also essential to remove any food that is not eaten from the cage or play area as it will spoil and can lead to health problems for your parrot.
Training
Parrots are easily taught to speak. However, it may take them days or even weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot that is trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and stop them from getting bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviours like feather-picking and destructive chewing. These issues require the intervention of a professional.
It is important to stop bonding in the bud, because if a parrot becomes completely attached to one member of the family, it may become territorial and threatening to others. This could be extremely dangerous for people with disabilities, children or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all in the family should spend time each day playing with the bird and playing with it in different ways. This will allow the bird to feel more comfortable being loved by all members of family members and reduce the likelihood that it will develop over protective behavior.
If a parrot is in a relationship to a single person it may bite and peck at family members or guests who try to handle or pet it. To avoid this it is recommended that each family member be able to alternate 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 the areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply and may bleed when touched. If a bloody feather pinfeather becomes exposed to the elements, it should be removed immediately and replaced by a new one.
Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should also be taught to identify food items or toys. This will help teach the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them.
Health
The African grey parrot is one of most intelligent in the world. However, it is prone to get bored and turn to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screams. Parrots can be costly pets to have. The initial costs are high, and they require a constant supply of toys that get destroyed quickly. They are also susceptible to infections, which can be expensive to treat.
These birds are extremely social and require a lot of interaction humans, including hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. To remain strong and healthy they should spend hours each day exercising and being outside of their cage. The cage should be large enough for them to move around freely and spread their wings. It must be clean, safe and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should come with a variety of kinds of perches that have different dimensions and heights, so that they can switch between them. A roost is also needed and is typically made of concrete or a wooden perch at the corner of the cage.
Parrots need access to fresh water at all times and it is recommended to replenish it regularly. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and vegetables and should limit their treats to 10% of their diet. They should be served a wide range of nuts and seeds, as well. About 75% of their food should be made up of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
The majority of the problems with parrots are the result of long-term dietary imbalance. Minor issues can result in poor growth, bad plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More significant changes may manifest themselves as specific diseases. A lot of these can be avoided by regular check-ups from an avian vet, and proper diet management.
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 parrot is bored it can become depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather-picking. To ensure that your pet is healthy it is vital to regularly undergo veterinary exams as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.
African greys are monogamous and form a dedicated pair bond, incubating eggs for 21 to 30 days, and caring for the infants until they fledge at about 10 weeks old. They can fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They can live for a long time, and often outlive their owners, making them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are extremely adaptable and will adjust well to many different environments, but they prefer a natural environment 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, just as humans do. Their short beaks feature a curved upper mandible that can be easily positioned over the lower one to help them crack open nuts and seeds, and their powerful grip can tear through bark and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, nuts and seeds as part of healthy diet. But, seeds should make up no more than five percent of the total diet. They should be supplemented with high-quality, formulated pellets or crumbles that avoid pickiness. They should also be served with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned daily. Supplements such as calcium and vitamin D may be required if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust is working to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots and their habitats. However, timneh african grey parrot are declining due to illegal trade. Fortunately, they are protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest level of protection under CITES. Find out more about these incredible birds in our parrot dictionary!