Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, just like toddlers, are prone to becoming bored quickly and require mental stimulation to avoid behavioral problems. They could be destructive or cry if they don't receive enough stimulation.
They are highly intelligent and can mimic human speech. The trade in pet animals and destruction of habitats are the primary threats to them.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they prefer seeds to fruit and vegetables.
In captivity, they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. It is also crucial to observe the quality and quantity of their diets as they are susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles should constitute 75% of a bird's diet, and it is recommended that they are purchased from reputable brands such as Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideal diets should comprise pellets, seeds and freshly prepared meals. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are some of the best options. The spouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage as they are high in oxalic acids, which 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 a source of protein as well as healthy fats, and a few vitamins and minerals.
The rest of the diet should be made up of a mix of vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to the psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. If a parrot is consuming too many berries, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight, and introduce new foods in small quantities. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will enable you to swiftly observe any changes and then correct them. Regularly offering the bird water is an excellent idea too. This will prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. Unfinished food in the cage or play area can be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are easily taught to speak. However, it may take them days or even weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained properly can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep a bird's mind engaged and keep them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors like feather-picking or destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It is crucial to stop the signs of bonding early as if a bird becomes a devoted member of the family, it may become territorial and aggressive to others. This could be extremely dangerous for people with disabilities, children or people with allergies. To avoid this, everyone in a household should spend time each day playing with the parrot and engaging with it in different ways. This will make the bird more at ease being touched by members of the family and decrease the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
A parrot that is attached to one person is likely to start biting and pecking at visitors or family members when they attempt to pet it or even touch it. To avoid this the entire family should take turns rubbing the bird and putting it in its cage. If a bird exhibits aggression and is threatening to harm another bird, it should be placed back in its cage and not handled for a period of time.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and can cause bleeding when they are brushed against. If a bloody feather or pinfeather becomes exposed and bleeds, it should be clipped immediately and replaced with an entirely new one.
Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught how to identify food items and toys. This will allow the bird to learn to speak and it will also enable it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of most intelligent in the world. However, it could get bored and resort to destructive behavior if it is not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screaming. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to own as the initial costs are high and they need constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, plus food. They are also susceptible to infections that can be expensive to treat.
These social birds require lots of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime that includes games, puzzles and lessons. To remain gizmo the grey parrot and healthy they must spend hours each day exercising and being outside of their cage. The cage should be big enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and made of non-toxic materials. It should have many different types of perches with varying heights and textures and be able to change them. They also need an roost, typically a tall wooden post or a concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have clean water and it should be changed every day. They should be fed a variety dark leafy vegetables and dark greens and should limit their treats to 10% of their diet. They should be provided with an array of seeds and nuts as well. Around 75% of their diet should be made up of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
The majority of parrot health problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor issues can result in poor growth, poor plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More severe changes could be a sign of specific disease-related entities. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular check-ups from an avian vet and proper diet management.
Care
African greys need mental stimulation and plenty of attention to be content. If a bird is bored, it may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. To keep your pet healthy it is essential to get routine veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.
African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They care for their young until they are approximately 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They have long lives and often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets across the world.
They are extremely adaptable and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural setting with lots of trees and perches. They can use their feet to balance and perch, with two faces back on each foot, and two facing forward on each foot, just as humans do. Their short beaks feature a mandible that is curved and 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 a part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make up no more than five percent of the total diet and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that reduce pickiness. They should also be offered an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage maintenance is essential on a regular basis. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, however, their population is declining 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 receive the highest level protection under CITES. Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!