Caring For an African Grey ParrotSimilar to toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They may be destructive or cry if they don't receive enough mental stimulation.
They are extremely intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. The trade in pets and habitat destruction are the main threats to them.
Feeding
The diet requirements of african grey parrot birds for sale greys are a little different from the other large psittacine species. They are omnivorous, however, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.
In captivity, they are more likely to eat fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. It is also important to check the quality and quantity of their diets as they are at risk of obesity and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to make up 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideally your diet should include a mix of pellets and fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh foods. Some of the best choices are kale, spinach, silverbeet, pak choi, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Also, native plants and sprouting grasses like dandelion leaves, endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower since they are high in levels of oxalic acids which hinder calcium absorption by the body.
Nuts provide a lot of nutrients, but they should be consumed in moderation due to their high fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should be made up of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is harmful to psittacines. Other common toxic food includes alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they could suffer from yeast-related issues in their gastrointestinal tract.
A well-balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is important to watch the bird's weight and introduce new foods in small amounts. Doing a daily weigh-in will allow you to detect any changes and correct them. It's also a great idea to give the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will help prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. It is also important to take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area since 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 parrot that is well-trained can respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and stop them from getting bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors like feather-picking or destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It's crucial to prevent over-bonding, as a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive towards other animals. This could be extremely dangerous for people with disabilities, children or those suffering from allergies. To avoid this it is recommended that all members of the household should spend some time every day with the parrot in different ways. This will help the bird become more comfortable with being touched by everyone in family members and reduce the chance that it will develop a protective behavior.
A parrot that is attached to a single person will usually start biting and pecking at visitors or family members when they attempt to pet or touch it. To avoid this the entire family should take turns rubbing 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 petting sessions be aware of the areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers are a source of blood supply, and can bleeding when they are touched. If a bloody feather or pinfeather is exposed and bleeds, it should be clipped immediately and replaced with an entirely new one.
Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be instructed to teach the bird to identify items, like toys or food items. This will make it easier for the bird to learn to speak and it will also enable it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present.
Health
While the female african grey parrot grey is one of the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can become bored and resort to destructive behavior when it is not provided with enough toys or other methods to stimulate its mind. It also requires a large amount of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots aren't cheap to have The initial costs are costly and they require a constant supply of toys that will be destroyed quickly, and food. They also are susceptible to infections, and are expensive to treat.
These social birds require lots of interaction with humans, which includes hours of 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. Their cage must be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be constructed from nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should be equipped with a variety of perches, with different sizes and textures to allow birds to move between them. A roost is also required, which is usually made of concrete or a wooden perch that is placed at the corner of the cage.
Parrots need access to water that is fresh throughout the day and is recommended to replenish it regularly. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens and other vegetables and treats should be limited to 10 percent of their diet. They should be served a wide range of nuts and seeds as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should comprise approximately 75% of the food.
The majority of parrot-related diseases are the result of long-term diet imbalances. Minor issues can result in poor growth, bad plumage quality or breeding performance. More marked changes will appear as distinct disease entities. Many of these can be prevented with regular well-checks from an avian vet, and appropriate diet management.
Care
As with all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be happy. If a bird is bored, it could display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. It is important to have regular veterinary examinations including fecal screening, vaccinations and feces done to ensure that your pet stays healthy.
baby african grey parrot greys form monogamous groups and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for their young until they are approximately 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They can live a long time, and often outlive their owners, making them a beloved pet in the world.
They are extremely adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However they prefer a natural habitat with lots of trees and perches. They can use their feet to balance and perch - with two faces back on each foot, and two facing forward on each foot, exactly like humans do. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This helps them crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make only 5percent of the total diet and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that reduce pickinginess. They should also be offered a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked legumes and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cage cleaning is required daily. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be required if the diet is not nutritionally balanced.
The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their numbers are declining due to illegal trade. Luckily, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States and receive the highest level of protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!