Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Like toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. They can be destructive or shout if they don't get enough mental stimulation.
They are highly intelligent and can imitate human speech. They face threats from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. They are omnivores but they prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables.
In captivity they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy greens than seeds. They are also prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies so it is important for pet owners to check the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should comprise 75% of a bird's diet, and it is recommended that they be procured from top brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideally the diet should comprise pellets as well as fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. grey african parrot of the best choices are kale, spinach, silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Native plants and spouting grasses like dandelion greens, okra and okra can also be beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and cabbage, because they contain high levels of oxalic acid, which may hinder calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to a diet, but they should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They provide protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should consist of a mix of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is harmful to the psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, alcohol and coffee and raw potatoes. In the same way, if a parrot eats too many berries they may be suffering from yeast issues in their digestive tract.
A well-balanced diet is an excellent way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is important to watch the bird's weight, and to provide new food items in small amounts. Weighing the bird every day will enable you to swiftly observe any changes and then correct them. Offering the bird regularly water is also a good idea. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or in the play area may be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are very intelligent creatures and are able to speak, although they may require days or weeks to repeat words they hear. A parrot that has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep a bird's brain stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. The effects of boredom can be detrimental to behavior, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
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 can be very dangerous for children, elderly people or those suffering from allergies. To avoid this it is recommended that all members of the household should spend some time every day playing and interacting with the parrot in various ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being touched by members of the family and decrease the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
When a bird is bonded to a single person it may bite and peck at other family members or guests who attempt to touch or pet it. To prevent this from happening, each family member should be able to alternate petting the bird before placing it in its cage. If a bird exhibits aggression, it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers are a source of blood supply, and can bleed when touched. If a pinfeather or blood feather is exposed, it should be immediately clipped and replaced with a new feather.
Family members should also be taught 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 make it easier to train the bird to speak and will also allow it to communicate with family members without being physically near them.
Health
While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots around the world, it is bored and resort to destructive behavior when it is not provided with enough toys or other opportunities to exercise its mind. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screams. Parrots can be expensive pets to have. The initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys which are destroyed quickly. They also are susceptible to infections and are expensive to treat.
These birds are extremely social and require a lot of interaction humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. To stay strong and healthy, they need to exercise for hours a day and escaping their cage. Their cage should be big enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It must be safe, clean and made of non-toxic materials. It should be equipped with a variety of perches, with different heights and styles to allow birds to switch between them. A roost is likewise required and is typically a wooden post or concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
grey african parrot must have access to clean water throughout the day and must be replenished daily. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy vegetables and dark greens and should limit their treats to 10 percent of their diet. It is also recommended to offer various seeds and nuts. About 75% of their food should consist of high-quality pellets or granules.
The majority of the problems with parrots are the result of a long-term diet imbalances. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, poor plumage quality or breeding performance. More marked changes will manifest themselves as specific disease-related entities. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular check-ups by an avian vet and the proper management of diet.
Care
Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be happy. If a parrot is bored it can become depressed and show negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation and feather grabbing. It is crucial to conduct regular veterinary exams as well as fecal screening and vaccinations done to ensure that your pet stays healthy.
African greys are monogamous. They form a dedicated pair bond, incubating eggs for 21 to 30 days and caring for the young until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They can fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They live for a long time and often outlive their owners, which makes them a popular pet worldwide.
They are extremely adaptable and can adapt to many different environments. However, they prefer a natural habitat with plenty of trees and perches. They can also utilize their feet - two facing back and two facing front on each foot - to help balance and perch, much 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 crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% of the total and be supplemented by high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent pickiness. Additionally it is recommended to provide an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and lentils. Water that is fresh and clean should always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned regularly. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally complete.
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. 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). Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!