Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They could become destructive or shout if they don't get enough stimulation.
They are extremely intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. They face threats from the trade in pets and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys are a little different from other large psittacine species. Although they are omnivores in the wild, they are more attracted to 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 susceptible to overweight and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles should comprise 75% of a parrot's diet, and it is recommended that they are purchased from reputable brands such as Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideally the diet should comprise pellets as well as fresh food. A good proportion is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are among the top options. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses like dandelion leaves, sweetcorn and endive are good choices. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower as they are high in oxalic acid. This could hinder the absorption of calcium by the body.
Nuts provide a lot of nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation due to their high fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and minerals and vitamins.
The rest of your diet should be the combination of vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to stay clear of avocado since it can be toxic to the psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and coffee and raw potatoes. Similar to parrots, if a bird consumes too many berries, they can suffer from yeast-related issues in their digestive tract.
A balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight, and introduce new food in small amounts. Weighing the bird every day will allow you to observe any changes and then correct them. 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. Food that is not eaten in the cage or in the play area can be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, though it may require days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to signals and perform simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's mind engaged and keep them from becoming bored. The effects of boredom can be detrimental to behavior, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It's important to nip over the signs of bonding early in the event that a parrot becomes completely attached to one member of the family, it could become territorial and threatening to other members of the family. This could be harmful for children and the elderly, as well as those with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all members of the household should spend some time each day with the parrot in various ways. This will allow the bird to feel more comfortable being touched by everyone in family members and reduce the chance that it will develop over protective behavior.
If a parrot is in a relationship to a single person, it may bite and scratch at family members or guests who attempt to pet or handle it. To avoid this the entire family should take turns petting the bird and putting it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggression, it should be returned to its cage for some 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 bleed when they are brushed against. If a bloody feather or pinfeather is exposed, it must be removed immediately and replaced by a new one.
Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be instructed to teach the bird how to identify items, like food or toys. This will help the bird to develop the ability to speak, and will allow it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present.
Health
The African grey parrot is one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it can get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or ways to exercise their minds. It also requires a large deal of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots aren't cheap to own - the initial costs are costly and they need constant new toys that will be destroyed quickly, plus food. They are also prone to infections and are expensive to treat.
These social birds require lots of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime that includes games, puzzles and lessons. baby african grey parrot need hours of exercise and out-of-cage time every day to build strength and remain healthy. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move around freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed of nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should come with a variety of types of perches with varying dimensions and heights and be able to switch between them. They also require an roost, typically a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
The parrots should always have clean water available and this should be refilled daily. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and vegetables and should limit their treats to 10% of their diet. Also, you should offer a variety of seeds and nuts. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should comprise around 75% of the diet.
The majority of parrot-related issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, bad plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will manifest themselves as specific disease-related entities. Many of these can be prevented through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention to be happy. If a parrot is bored, it may display 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 dedicated pair bonds that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days, and caring for the babies until they are about 10 weeks of age. They can fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They live for a long time and are often able to outlive their owners, making them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are highly adaptable and will adjust well to a variety of environments however, they prefer a natural setting with plenty of perches and trees 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 like humans do. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible with a curvature that can be easily positioned over the lower to help them crack open seeds and nuts, and their powerful grip can tear through bark and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits seeds, dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make up no more than 5% of the diet total and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that prevent the emergence of pickiness. Additionally it is recommended to provide various fresh vegetables, fruits, and cooked beans and lentils. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available and cage maintenance is essential on a regular basis. If the diet is not adequate, supplements like calcium or vitamin D may be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their populations are in decline due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest level protection under CITES. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!
