Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, much like toddlers, can become bored easily and require mental stimulation to avoid behavior problems. If they don't get enough stimulation, they could become destructive or even start screaming.
They are highly intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. They are threatened by the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary needs of African greys are different from the other large psittacine species. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds to fruit and vegetables.
In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to eat fruits and seeds. They also are prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies which is why it is essential for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to comprise 75% of a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should comprise pellets, seeds and freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are among the best choices. Also, native plants and sprouting grasses like dandelion leaves, sweetcorn and endive are both beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower, since they are high in levels of oxalic acid, which may hinder calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are a rich source of nutrients to your diet, but should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals.
The rest of the diet should be made up of a mixture of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is harmful to psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot eats too many fruits, they could develop yeast-related problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot healthy and happy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight and introduce new food in small amounts. It is a good idea to weigh the bird daily so that any changes can be easily observed and corrected. 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 take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area because it will spoil and can lead to health problems for your parrot.
Training
Parrots are highly intelligent and are able to easily learn to speak, though it may take days or even weeks to repeat back words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It's crucial to prevent over-bonding as a pet who becomes too attached to one can become territorial and aggressive towards others. This can be very risky for people with disabilities, children or those with allergies. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time every day with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more at ease being handled by members of the family and decrease the chance that it will develop an overprotective behaviour.
alex the african grey parrot that is attached to one person will typically start biting and pecking visitors or family members when they try to pet it or even touch it. To avoid this, family members should each 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 calms down.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and could be bleed if they are touched. If a pinfeather or blood feather is found to be exposed, it must be removed immediately and replaced with a new feather.
In addition to petting, members of the family should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. They should also be instructed to teach the bird how to identify items, like food or toys. This will allow you to teach the bird to speak and will also enable it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it is prone to get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screaming. Parrots can be costly pets to have. The initial costs are high, and they require constant new toys which are destroyed quickly. They are also prone to infections, and are expensive to treat.
These highly social birds need lots of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime involving games and puzzles as well as lessons. To stay strong and healthy they should exercise for hours a day and out of their cage. Their cage should be big enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be clean, safe and made from nontoxic materials. It should include a variety of perches, with different heights and styles to allow birds to change between them. They also require an roost, typically a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
Parrots should have access to fresh water at all times, and it should be replaced every day. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and other vegetables, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. They should be offered an array of nuts and seeds as well. About 75% of their diet should consist of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
The majority of parrot disease 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 appear as distinct disease-related entities. A lot of these can be avoided by regular check-ups by an avian vet and appropriate diet management.
You can also read about how to take care of yourself.
Like any other bird, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be happy. If a parrot becomes bored, it can display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. It is essential to conduct regular veterinary examinations including fecal screening, vaccinations and feces performed to ensure that your pet stays healthy.
African greys are monogamous and form exclusive pair bonds, incubating eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for the babies until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They are able to fly and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They can live for a long time, and often outlive their owners, making them a popular pet worldwide.
They are highly adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural setting with lots of trees and perches. They can also utilize their feet - two facing back and two facing forward on each foot - to aid in perch and balance, just as humans use their hands. Their short beaks are curved 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 leafy greens, fruits seeds and nuts as a part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% of the diet and should be supplemented with high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent the possibility of picking. They should also be offered an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, as well as cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium may be required if the diet is not nutritionally balanced.
The World Parrot Trust is working hard to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their populations are declining due to illegal trade. Fortunately, they are protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also receive the highest protection under CITES. Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot dictionary!