Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, like toddlers, are prone to becoming bored easily and require mental stimulation to avoid behavioral problems. They may be destructive or even shout if they don't get enough stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics of all species of parrots. They can understand human speech. They are at risk from the trade in pet animals and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds over vegetables and fruits.
In captivity In captivity, they are more likely than not to consume fruits and seeds. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity therefore it is crucial for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should constitute 75% of a parrot's diet, and it is recommended that they be procured from top brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideal diets should consist of pellets as well as freshly prepared foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. The best choices are kale, spinach, silverbeet, pak choi, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Native plants and spouting grasses like dandelion greens, endive and okra can also be beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower as they are high in oxalic acid. This can hinder the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts are rich in nutrients however, they should be consumed in moderation because of their high fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals.
The rest of the diet should consist of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. It is recommended to stay clear of avocado since it can be toxic to psittacines. Other common toxic food includes alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. If a parrot eats too many fruits, they could develop yeast issues in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best way to keep your African grey parrot healthy and happy. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight and provide new food items in small quantities. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will allow you to identify any changes and rectify them. Regularly offering the bird water is also a good idea. This will stop dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area can ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, although they may require days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep a bird's brain active and stop them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These problems require the intervention of a professional.
It's important to nip over bonding in the bud, because if a parrot becomes totally attached to a single member of the family, it can become territorial and threatening to other members of the family. This could be harmful for children as well as the elderly or people who suffer from allergies. To avoid this everyone in the household should spend time each day with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more at ease being touched by members of the family and lessen the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behaviour.
When a bird is bonded to a single person it will peck and bite at other family members or guests trying to pet or handle it. To avoid this family members should take turns petting the bird or putting it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggressive behavior it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it calms down.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers are a source of blood supply, and can cause bleeding when they are brushed against. If a blood or pinfeather feather is found to be exposed, it must be promptly clipped and replaced with a new feather.
In addition to petting, members of the family should be taught how to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. They should also be taught to teach the bird how to identify objects, such as food or toys. This will help the bird to develop the ability to speak, and it will also enable it to communicate with other family members without needing to be physically present.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it is prone to become bored and engage in destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their minds. It also requires a amount of mental stimulation to prevent self-mutilation feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots can be costly pets to have. The initial costs are expensive, and they require a constant supply of toys that are quickly destroyed. They also are susceptible to infections and are costly to treat.
These highly social birds require lots of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime that includes games or puzzles, as well as lessons. They also need hours of exercise and time out of cage each day to build strength and remain healthy. The cage should be big enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should include various perches with different heights and styles to allow birds to switch between them. They also need a roost, usually a wooden post that is tall or a concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have clean water and this should be refilled daily. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens and vegetables and should limit their treats to 10 percent of their diet. They should be offered a wide range of nuts and seeds, as well. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should make up around 75% of a diet.
The majority of parrot-related issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, poor plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More significant changes may be a sign of specific disease entities. Many of these can be prevented with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be happy. If a parrot becomes bored, it will be depressed and exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. To ensure that your pet is healthy it is essential to have regular veterinary examinations, fecal testing and vaccinations.
African greys form monogamous groups and incubate eggs for 21-30 days. They take care of their children until they reach about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They live for a long time and often outlive their owners, which makes them a popular pet worldwide.
They are highly adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural environment with lots 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 as humans use their hands. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. grey african parrot helps them break open seeds, nuts and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as part of an optimum diet. However, seeds should make less than 5percent of the diet total and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that reduce pickinginess. Also they should be served with various fresh vegetables, fruits as well as cooked lentils and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned regularly. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium may be required if the diet is not nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their population is 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 enjoy the highest level protection under CITES. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot dictionary!