Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Like toddlers, African grey parrots can get bored quickly and need plenty of stimulation to avoid problems with their behavior. Without it, they may become destructive or even start screaming.
They are extremely intelligent and can imitate human speech. The trade in pet animals and habitat destruction are the main threats to them.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from those of 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. They also are prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies therefore it is crucial for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to comprise 75% of a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should include a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared meals. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh food. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are some of the best options. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaves sweetcorn and endive are good choices. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower, because they contain high levels of oxalic acids, which can prevent calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are a nutrient-dense addition to the diet, but should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They are rich in proteins, healthy fats and minerals and vitamins.
The rest of your diet should comprise the combination of fruits and veggies. It is best to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to psittacines. Other common toxic food includes chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. If a parrot consumes too many berries, they may develop yeast-related problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is an excellent way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight and introduce new food in small quantities. It is beneficial to weigh the bird daily to ensure that any changes can be observed and quickly rectified. Offering the bird regularly water is also a good idea. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. It is also important to take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area because it will spoil and could lead to health problems for your parrot.
Training
Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it might take them days or even weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot that is trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's brain active and keep them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding, as a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and agressive towards others. This can be dangerous for children, the elderly or those who suffer from allergies. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time each day with the bird in different ways. This will allow the bird become more comfortable with being touched by all members of the family and decrease the likelihood that it will develop over protective behavior.
When a parrot is bonded with a single person, it may bite and scratch at family members or guests who try to touch or pet it. To prevent this from happening family members should take turns petting the bird or placing it into its cage. If a bird is showing aggression, it should be returned to its cage for a period of time and not handled until it is calmed down.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply and may bleeding when they are touched. If a blood or pinfeather feather is found to be exposed, it must 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 taught to teach the bird how to identify items, like food or toys. This will allow the bird to learn to speak and will allow it to communicate with family members without needing to be physically present.
Health
While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots in the world, it is bored and engage in destructive behavior when it is not provided with enough toys or other opportunities to stimulate its mind. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screams. Parrots aren't cheap to acquire as the initial costs are expensive and they require a constant supply of toys that can be destroyed quickly, and food. They are also susceptible to infections that can be expensive to treat.
These birds are extremely social and require a lot of interaction with humans, including hours spent playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. They also require hours of exercise and out-of-cage time each day to build strength and remain healthy. The cage should be large enough for them to move around freely and spread their wings. It must be clean, safe and made from nontoxic materials. It should include a variety of types of perches with varying dimensions and heights and be able to switch between them. A roost is also needed and is typically made of concrete or a wooden perch that is placed at the corner of the cage.
Parrots must have access to clean water at all times, and it must be replenished every day. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy vegetables and dark greens and treats should be limited to 10 percent of their diet. You should also offer various nuts and seeds. Around 75% of their food should be made up of high-quality crumbles or pellets.
The majority of parrot-related diseases are caused by long-term diet imbalances. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, poor plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will manifest themselves as specific disease-related entities. Many of these can be prevented with regular well-checks by an avian vet and appropriate diet management.
Care
African greys require mental stimulation and plenty of attention in order to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it can exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or even feather picking. It is crucial to conduct regular veterinary examinations 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 that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days, and Caring For an grey parrot for the infants until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They are able to fly and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They live long and can often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets worldwide.
They are highly adaptable and can easily adjust to different environments, but they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches to explore. They can use their feet to balance and perch - with two facing back on each foot and two facing forward on each foot, exactly as humans do. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This allows them to crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits seeds and nuts as part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% of the total and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid the possibility of picking. They should also be offered various fresh vegetables, fruits as well as cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water must always be available, and cages should be cleaned every day. If the diet isn't sufficient, supplements such as calcium or vitamin D may be required.
The World Parrot Trust is working to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their numbers are decreasing due to illegal trade. They are, however, protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest level of protection under CITES. Find out more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!