Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, just like toddlers, are prone to becoming bored easily and need mental stimulation to avoid behavior problems. They may become destructive or shout if they don't get enough mental stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are arguably the best mimics of all parrot species and can comprehend human speech. They are at risk from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary needs of African greys are slightly different from the other psittacine species. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds over vegetables and fruits.
In captivity they are more likely to eat fruits and leafy greens rather than seeds. They are also prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity therefore it is crucial for pet owners to check the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to comprise 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should consist of pellets, seeds and freshly prepared foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, and broccoli. Native plants and spouting grasses like dandelion greens, endive and okra can also be beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acids, which can block the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts are a great source of nutrients, but they should be consumed in moderation because of their high fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats as well as vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should consist of an assortment of fruits and veggies. Avocado is poisonous to psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot is consuming excessive amounts of fruits, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A well-balanced diet is an excellent way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is crucial to keep an eye on the bird's weight, and to offer new foods in small amounts. It is a good idea to weigh the bird on a daily basis so that any changes can be spotted and swiftly corrected. It is also a good idea to give the bird fresh water regularly. This will prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. Food that is not consumed in the cage or play area may ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, though it may take days or even weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and stop them from getting bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require the intervention of a professional.
It's crucial to prevent over-bonding, as a parrot that is too attached to one can become territorial and aggressive towards others. This can be very risky for people with disabilities, children or those suffering from allergies. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time each day playing and interacting with the bird in different ways. This will allow the bird feel more comfortable being touched by all members of a family and reduce the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
A parrot that is attached to one person is likely to begin pecking and biting at visitors or family members when they attempt to pet it or even touch it. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that each family member be able to alternate petting the bird and putting it in its cage. If a bird is showing aggressive behavior it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it is calmed down.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers are a source of blood supply, and could bleeding when they are touched. If a bloody feather pinfeather becomes exposed to the elements, it should be removed immediately and replaced with another one.
Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should also be taught to identify food items and toys. This will help train the bird to speak and will also allow it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically near them.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it is prone to become bored and engage in destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their mind. It also requires a large deal of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, feather picking and excessive screaming. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to acquire - the initial costs are expensive and they require constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, and food. They are also susceptible to infections and are costly to treat.
These highly social birds require a lot of interaction with humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. To stay strong and healthy they should spend hours each day exercising and being outside of their cage. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move around freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and made from nontoxic materials. It should have many different kinds of perches that have different sizes and textures in order 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.
The parrots should have clean water available and this should be refilled daily. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits, with treats limited to not more than 10% of their diet. Also, you should provide a variety of nuts and seeds. High-quality formulated pellets or crumble should comprise around 75% of a diet.
Most disease problems in parrots are the result of long-term diet imbalances. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, bad plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will appear as distinct disease entities. A lot of these can be avoided by regular check-ups by an avian vet and proper diet management.
Care
As with all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be happy. If a parrot becomes bored, it will be depressed and exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation and feather grabbing. It is important to have regular veterinary examinations, fecal screening and vaccinations performed to ensure that your pet is healthy.
African greys form monogamous groups and incubate eggs for 21-30 days. They care for their young until they are about 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They can live a long time, and often outlive their owners, which makes them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are highly adaptable and can be adapted to a variety of environments, but they prefer a natural habitat with plenty of trees and perches to explore. They are able to utilize their feet with two faces facing back and two facing front on each foot - to help to balance and perch, just as humans use their hands. Their beaks are short and have a curved upper mandible that fits neatly over the lower to assist in breaking open seeds and nuts, and their powerful grip can tear through bark and wood.
In timneh african grey parrot , African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as a part of healthy diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% and be supplemented by high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid the possibility of picking. Additionally it is recommended to provide a variety fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked lentils and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned regularly. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Luckily, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States and receive the most protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Find out more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!