caring for an Grey Parrot For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, like toddlers, can get bored easily and need mental stimulation to avoid behavioral problems. If they aren't stimulated, they could become destructive or even start screaming.
They are highly intelligent and can imitate human speech. The pet trade and destruction of habitats are the biggest 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 In captivity, they are more likely than not to consume fruits and seeds. They also are prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies which is why it is essential for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to make up 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideally, the diet should contain a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best choices are kale, spinach, silverbeet, pak choi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Sprouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, endive and okra can also be beneficial. However, you should avoid cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage as they are rich in oxalic acids, which can hinder the absorption of calcium in the body.
Nuts are rich in nutrients however they should be eaten in moderation due to their high fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats and minerals and vitamins.
The rest of the diet should be made up of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. It is best to stay clear of avocado because it is toxic to the psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. If a parrot eats excessive amounts of fruits, they could develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best way to keep your African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is crucial to keep an eye on the bird's weight and offer new foods in small amounts. It is beneficial to weigh the bird every day so that any changes can be observed and quickly rectified. Giving the bird water regularly is an excellent idea too. This will help to avoid dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not consumed in the cage or play area may spoil and cause health problems for your bird.
Training
Parrots are highly intelligent and can easily learn to speak, although they may require days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot that has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep a bird's brain engaged and keep them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is crucial to stop bonding in the bud in the event that a parrot becomes completely attached to one person in a family it could become territorial and aggressive to other members of the family. This can be very risky for people with disabilities, children or those with allergies. To prevent this from happening, everyone in a household should spend time each day playing with the parrot and interacting with it in a variety of ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being handled by members of the family and lessen the chance that it will develop an overprotective behaviour.
A parrot that is bonded 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 it is recommended that each family member take turns rubbing the bird and putting it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggressive behavior 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 thought to be "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply and may bleed if they are brushed against. If a blood or pinfeather feather is found to be exposed, it must be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather.
In addition to petting, members of the family should be taught to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. They should also be instructed to teach the bird how to identify objects, such as toys or food items. This will make it easier to teach the bird to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them.
Health
While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots around the world, it is bored easily and will resort to destructive behavior in the absence of toys or other opportunities to exercise its mind. It also requires a large amount of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots can be expensive pets to have. The initial costs are high, and they require constant new toys which are destroyed quickly. They can also be susceptible to infections, which could be expensive to treat.
These highly social birds require a lot of interaction with humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. To remain strong and healthy they should spend hours each day exercising and escaping their cage. The cage should be big enough to allow them to move around freely and spread their wings. It should be made of non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should be equipped with a variety of perches, with different heights and styles to allow birds to change between them. A roost is also needed, which is usually a wooden post or concrete perch that is placed at the corner of the cage.
The parrots should have fresh water available and this should be changed daily. They should be fed various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and should be restricted to not more than 10% of their diet. Also, you should offer different seeds and nuts. High-quality formulated pellets or crumble should constitute around 75% of the diet.
The majority of parrot health issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Small irregularities can manifest as poor growth and development, bad quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more marked changes will manifest as specific diseases. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular checks with an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
Like all birds, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be happy. If a parrot is bored it will become depressed and show negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation and feather grabbing. It is essential to conduct regular veterinary exams as well as fecal screening and vaccinations performed to ensure that your pet is healthy.
African greys form monogamous groups and incubate eggs for 21-30 days. They care for their babies until they reach about 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They have long lives and can often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets around the world.
They are extremely adaptable and will adjust well to many different environments however, they prefer a natural setting with plenty of perches and trees to explore. They are able to utilize their feet that are facing backwards and two facing front on each foot - to aid in perch and balance, just as humans do with their hands. Their beaks, which are short, 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 greys will eat nuts, fruits seeds, dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. However, seeds should make less than five percent of the total diet. They should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that avoid the emergence of pickiness. They should also be served with a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits as well as cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage cleaning is essential every day. If the diet isn't adequate, supplements like vitamin D or calcium may be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, but 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 level protection under CITES. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot encyclopedia!