Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. They could become destructive or shout if they don't get enough stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics among all species of parrots. They can comprehend human speech. The trade in pet animals and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys are a little different from the other psittacine species. While they are omnivores in the wild, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.
In captivity, they are more likely to eat fruits and leafy greens rather than seeds. It is also important to observe the quality and quantity of their diets as they are at risk of overweight and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles should make up 75% of a parrot's diet and it is recommended that they are procured from top brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideal diets should consist of pellets, seeds and freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh food. The best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeets, pak choi sweetcorn, carrots, and broccoli. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaf, endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and cabbage, as they contain high levels of oxalic acids which may hinder calcium absorption by the body.
Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to your diet, but they should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should be an assortment of fruits and veggies. It's best to avoid avocado because it is toxic to the psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot eats excessive amounts of fruits, they could develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A well-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 foods in small amounts. It is recommended to weigh the bird daily to ensure that any changes can be observed and quickly corrected. It's also a great idea to offer the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will stop the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. Unfinished food in the cage or play area may be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are highly intelligent and are able to speak, although they may require days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained well can also do simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep a bird's brain active and stop them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It's important to avoid bonding too strongly because a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive towards other animals. This could be harmful for children and the elderly, as well as those who suffer from allergies. To avoid this, all members of the household should spend some time every day playing and interacting with the parrot in various ways. This will help the bird become more comfortable when loved by all members of family members and reduce the likelihood 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, each family member should be able to alternate petting the bird before placing it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggressive behavior it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it calms down.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers have a blood supply, and can cause bleeding when they are brushed against. If a bloody feather pinfeather is exposed to the elements, it should be removed immediately and replaced with an entirely new one.
Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught how to identify food items or toys. This will make it easier for the bird to develop the ability to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with other family members without needing to be physically present.
Health
While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots around the world, it can become bored quickly and use destructive behaviors if not given enough toys or other opportunities to exercise its brain. It also needs a great amount of mental stimulation to prevent self-mutilation feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots aren't cheap pets to have - the initial costs are costly and they require a constant supply of toys that can be destroyed quickly, as well as food. They are also susceptible to infections, and are expensive to treat.
These highly social birds require lots of interaction with humans, including hours of playtime with 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 remain healthy. The cage should be large enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and made of non-toxic materials. It should have various perches with different sizes and textures so that the birds can switch between them. A roost is also needed, which is usually made of concrete or a wooden perch that is placed at the corner of the cage.
Parrots must have access to fresh water at all times, and it is recommended to replenish it daily. They should be offered various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and should be restricted to no more than about 10% of their diet. You should also offer various seeds and nuts. About 75% of their food should be made up of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
Most disease problems in parrots are the result of long-term food inconsistencies. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, poor plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will be a sign of specific diseases. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular check-ups by an avian vet and proper diet management.
read this can also read about how to care for yourself.
Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be content. If a parrot is bored, it could display negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. To ensure your pet's health it is essential to have regular veterinary examinations, fecal testing and vaccinations.
African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for 21-30 days. They take care of their babies until they reach around 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They live for a long time and often outlive their owners, which makes them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are extremely adaptive and can adapt to many different environments. However, they prefer a natural environment 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, exactly as humans do. Their short beaks have a curved upper mandible that fits neatly over the lower to assist in breaking open seeds and nuts, and their strong grip can cut through bark and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits nuts and seeds as part of an optimum diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% of the total and be supplemented with high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent the possibility of picking. They should also be served with various fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked beans and legumes. Fresh water should be available, and cage cleaning is essential every day. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium may be necessary if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust is working hard to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots and their habitats. However, their populations are declining due to illegal trade. 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). Learn more about these incredible parrots in our parrot dictionary!