Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, like toddlers, can get bored quickly and require mental stimulation to prevent behavioral problems. If they don't get enough stimulation, they could become destructive or even start screaming.
Highly intelligent, they are arguably the best mimics among all species of parrots. They can understand human speech. They face threats from the trade in pet animals and habitat loss.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. While they are omnivores in the wild, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.
In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to consume seeds and fruit. They are also prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity so it is important for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to make up 75% of a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should include pellets as well as freshly prepared foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, spinach, and kale are among the top options. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaf, sweetcorn and endive are both beneficial. However, you should avoid cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower as they are high in oxalic acid. This can hinder the absorption of calcium by the body.
Nuts are a great source of nutrients, but they should be consumed in moderation due to their fat content. They are a source of protein, healthy fats, as well as minerals and vitamins.
The rest of your diet should be an assortment of fruits and veggies. Avocado is poisonous to the psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. If a parrot eats too many berries, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is crucial to keep an eye on the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small amounts. It is a good idea to weigh the bird every day to ensure that any changes can be observed and quickly corrected. It is also a good idea to give the bird fresh water regularly. This will prevent dehydration and infections caused by bacteria. It is also important to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area as it can spoil and lead to health problems for your pet.
Training
Parrots are very intelligent creatures and can easily learn to speak, however it might take days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot who has been trained properly can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. Boredom can lead to unwelcome behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It's important to avoid bonding too strongly because a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and agressive toward others. This could be extremely dangerous 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 some time each day with the parrot in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being touched by members of the family and reduce the chance that it will develop an overprotective behaviour.
If a parrot is in a relationship with a single person, it will peck and bite at family members or guests who try to pet or handle it. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that each family member take turns petting the bird before placing it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggression then it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers have a blood supply and may bleed when they are touched. If a blood feather is found to be exposed, it must be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather.
In addition to petting, family members should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. The bird should be taught how to identify food items and toys. This will make it easier to train the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically near them.
Health
The African grey parrot is one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it can get bored and turn to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap to own as the initial costs are expensive and they need constant new toys that will be destroyed quickly, plus food. They also are susceptible to infections, and are expensive to treat.
These highly social birds need lots of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime involving games or puzzles, as well as lessons. They also require a lot of exercise and time out of cage each day to build strength and stay healthy. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It should be constructed of non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should include several perches with different heights and textures to allow birds to move between them. They also need a roost, usually a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
The parrots should have clean water available and this should be changed daily. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and treats should be limited to not more than 10% of the diet. You should also provide different nuts and seeds. Around 75% of their diet should be made up of high-quality crumbles or pellets.
The majority of parrot-related issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Small irregularities can manifest as poor growth and development, low quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more marked changes will manifest as specific diseases. Many of these are preventable through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
African greys require mental stimulation and plenty of attention in order to be content. If a bird is bored, it will become depressed and show negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. It is crucial to conduct regular veterinary exams including fecal screening, vaccinations and feces performed to ensure that your pet stays healthy.
African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They tend to their young until they are approximately 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They live long and often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets worldwide.
They are highly adaptable and can be adapted to a variety of environments However, they prefer a natural setting with plenty of trees and perches to explore. They can even use their feet - two facing back and two facing front on each foot - to aid in balance and perch, much like humans use their hands. Their short beaks have a mandible that is curved and fits neatly over the lower mandible to help them crack open nuts and seeds, and their strong grip can tear through bark and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts, seeds and dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid the possibility of picking. They should also be offered a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked beans and legumes. Fresh water should always be available, and cage cleaning is required daily. Supplements like calcium and vitamin D may be necessary if your diet isn't nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust is working hard to protect Grey and 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 dictionary!