Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, just like toddlers, can become bored easily and need mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They may be destructive or even cry if they don't receive enough stimulation.
They are highly intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. The pet trade and destruction of habitats are the primary 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 they are more likely to eat fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. It is also crucial to monitor the quality and quantity of their food intakes since they are prone to excess weight and calcium deficiency. Pellets or complete crumbles should make up 75% of a parrot's diet, and it is recommended that they are procured from top brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideal diets should comprise pellets, seeds and freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. The best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaves endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower as they are rich in oxalic acids, which can block the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to a diet, but they should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They provide protein as well as healthy fats, and a few vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should be made up of a mixture of vegetables and fruits. It is best to stay clear of avocado because it is toxic to psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include alcohol, chocolate, raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot consumes too many berries, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small amounts. It is beneficial to weigh the bird daily so that any changes can be spotted and swiftly rectified. It is also a good idea to give the bird fresh water regularly. This will help prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. It is also essential to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area since it will spoil and could cause health issues for your pet.
Training
Parrots are very intelligent creatures and are able to easily learn to speak, however it might take days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's mind 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 the intervention of a professional.
related to nip over the bonding process early, because if a parrot becomes a devoted member of the family, it may become territorial and threatening to other members of the family. This could be harmful for children as well as the elderly or people with allergies. To avoid this, everyone in the household should spend time each day playing with the parrot and engaging with it in various ways. This will allow the bird become more comfortable with being touched by all members of a family and reduce the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.
A bird that is tied to one person will typically start biting and pecking at other family members or visitors when they attempt to pet or touch it. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that each family member take turns petting the bird before 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.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and can be bleed if touched. If a blood or pinfeather feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a new feather.
Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be instructed to teach the bird to label items, such as food or toys. This will help 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 one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it can get bored quickly and resort to destructive behavior in the absence of toys or other opportunities to exercise its mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap to acquire - the initial costs are costly and they require a constant supply of toys that will be destroyed quickly, as well as food. They can also be prone to infections, which could be expensive to treat.
These social birds require a lot of interaction humans, which includes hours of playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. To stay healthy and strong, they need to exercise for hours a day and being outside of their cage. The cage should be big enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and made of non-toxic materials. It should include various perches with different heights and textures so that birds can switch between them. A roost is also needed and is typically a wooden post or concrete perch that is placed at the corner of the cage.
Parrots need access to clean water at all times, and it should be replaced regularly. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens and other vegetables, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. They should be served an array of nuts and seeds as well. About 75% of their diet should be made up of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
The majority of parrot disease issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor irregularities will show up as slow growth and development, low quality plumage or breeding performance, while more marked changes will manifest as distinct diseases. Many of these are preventable by regular checks with an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention to be content. If see page is bored it can become depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation and feather grabbing. It is essential to conduct routine veterinary exams, fecal screening and vaccinations done to ensure that your pet is healthy.
African greys form monogamous groups and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They take care of their children until they reach around 10 weeks old. They can fly, and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They have long lives and often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets around the world.
They are extremely adaptable and can be adapted to many different environments however, 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 beaks are short and have an upper mandible that fits over the lower. This allows them to 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. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% of the total and be supplemented with high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent the possibility of picking. They should also be provided with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and legumes. Fresh water should always be available, and cages should be cleaned every day. If the diet isn't complete, supplements such as vitamin D or calcium may be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, but their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, 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). Find out more about these incredible birds in our parrot dictionary!