Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can get bored quickly and need lots of mental stimulation to avoid problems with their behavior. They can be destructive or even cry if they don't receive enough mental stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics of all species of parrots and comprehend human speech. They face threats from the trade in pet animals and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys are slightly different from other large psittacine species. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they prefer seeds over vegetables and fruits.
In captivity they are more likely to eat fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity so it is important for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should comprise 75% of a parrot's diet and it is recommended that they are sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideally, the diet should contain pellets as well as fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are some of the best choices. Native plants and spouting grasses like dandelion greens, endive and okra can also be beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower as they contain high levels of oxalic acids which hinder calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are a nutrient-dense addition to a diet, but should be fed sparingly because of their fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals.
The rest of the diet should consist of a mix of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is harmful to psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include alcohol, chocolate, raw potatoes and coffee. If cost of african grey parrot of fruits, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is important to monitor the bird's weight and introduce new food in small quantities. It is recommended 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 to avoid dehydration and bacteria-related infections. It is also important to take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area as it will spoil and could cause health issues for your pet.
Training
Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it could take them days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors like feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require the intervention of a professional.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding, as a parrot that is too attached to one can become territorial and agressive toward others. This can be very risky for elderly people, children or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all members of the household should spend some time each day playing and interacting with the parrot in different ways. This will make the bird more at ease being handled by members of the family and decrease the possibility that it could 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 prevent this from happening family members should take turns in petting the bird or putting it into its cage. If a bird is showing aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it is calmed down.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and could bleeding when touched. If a blood feather or pinfeather is found to be exposed to the elements, it should be removed immediately and replaced with an entirely new one.
Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should 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 being physically near them.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, it can become bored and engage in destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their minds. It also needs a great amount of mental stimulation to prevent self-mutilation feather picking and excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap pets to acquire The initial costs are expensive and they need constant new toys that will be destroyed quickly, plus food. They can also be prone to infections, which could be costly to treat.
These highly social birds require a lot of interaction humans, including hours spent playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. They also require a lot of exercise and time out of cage every day to build strength and stay healthy. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move around freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed from non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should come with a variety of kinds of perches that have different sizes and textures and be able to switch between them. They also require an roost, typically an elevated wooden post or a concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
Parrots should have access to fresh water at all times, and it should be replaced daily. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits, with treats limited to a maximum of 10% of the diet. Also, you should provide different nuts and seeds. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should comprise around 75% of the diet.
Most disease problems in parrots are caused by long-term diet imbalances. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, poor plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More severe changes could manifest themselves as specific disease entities. Many of these can be prevented through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
You can also learn how to care for yourself.
African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention to be happy. If a bird is bored, it can display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather picking. To ensure your pet's health, it is important to regularly undergo veterinary exams including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.
African greys form monogamous pairs and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for their young until they are about 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They live for a long time and are often able to outlive their owners, which makes them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are highly adaptable and will adjust well to many different 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 have a curved upper mandible that can be easily positioned over the lower to assist in breaking open seeds and nuts, and their strong grip could tear through bark and wood.
In african grey parrot birds for sale , African greys will eat nuts, fruits, seeds and dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. However, seeds should make only 5% of the total diet. They should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that reduce the emergence of pickiness. Also they should be served with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water should always be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. Supplements such as calcium and vitamin D may be necessary if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust is working 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 level protection under CITES. Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!