Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, much like toddlers, are prone to becoming bored quickly and require mental stimulation to avoid behavioral problems. They may become destructive or scream if they don't get enough stimulation.
They are highly intelligent and can imitate human speech. They are at risk from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary needs of African greys are different from other large psittacine species. Although they are omnivores in the wild, they prefer seeds over vegetables and fruits.
In captivity they are more likely to eat fruits and leafy greens rather than seeds. It is also crucial to observe the quality and quantity of their food intakes since they are prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles should comprise 75% of a parrot's diet and it is recommended that they be sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideally your diet should include a mix of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Some of the best options are spinach, kale silverbeet, pak choi, sweetcorn, carrots, and broccoli. Native plants and spouting grasses like dandelion greens, okra and okra can also be beneficial. However, you should avoid cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower as they are rich in oxalic acid. This can block the absorption of calcium in the body.
Nuts are rich in nutrients however they should be eaten in moderation due to their fat content. They are a source of protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals.
The rest of the diet should be made up of a mix of fruits and vegetables. It's best to avoid avocado because it is toxic to psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. Similarly, if a parrot eats too many berries they may suffer from yeast-related issues in their gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best way to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is crucial to keep an eye on the bird's weight and offer new foods in small quantities. It is a good idea to weigh the bird on a daily basis so that any changes could be spotted and swiftly be rectified. Giving the bird water regularly is an excellent idea too. This will stop the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. It is also essential to take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area since it can spoil and lead to health problems for your parrot.
Training
Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it might take them days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained properly can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep a bird's mind active and stop them from becoming bored. The effects of boredom can be detrimental to behavior like feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is crucial to stop the signs of bonding early in the event that a parrot becomes totally attached to a single member of a family, it can become territorial and aggressive towards other people. This can be very risky for elderly people, children or those with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all members of the household should spend some time every day playing with and engaging with the parrot in different ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being touched by everyone in a family and reduce the chance that it will develop over protective behavior.
When a bird is bonded to a single person it will peck and bite at other family members or guests who attempt to touch or pet it. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that each family member take turns rubbing the bird and putting it in its cage. If a bird is showing aggressive behavior it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it is calmed down.
During pet-loving sessions, be aware of areas that are thought to be "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers have a blood supply, and can cause bleeding if brushed against. If a blood or pinfeather feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a new feather.
In addition to petting, family members should be taught to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. The bird should also be taught to label toys or food. This will help train the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members without being physically near them.
Health
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it can become bored and engage in destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or ways to exercise their minds. It also requires a large amount of mental stimulation in order to prevent self-mutilation excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots are expensive pets to have. The initial costs are high, and they need constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. They are also prone to infections, and are expensive to treat.
These highly social birds require lots of interaction with humans, including hours of playtime with games, puzzles and lessons. To remain strong and healthy they must spend hours each day exercising and out of their cage. The cage should be large enough for them to move around freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed from non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should include several perches with different sizes and textures so that birds can move between them. A roost is also required, which is usually an iron or wood perch in the corner of the cage.
Parrots should have access to clean water at all times, and it is recommended to replenish it daily. They should be provided with various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and should be restricted to a maximum of 10% of their diet. They should be provided with a wide range of seeds and nuts as well. About 75% of their food should be made up of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
The majority of parrot health issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, bad plumage quality or breeding performance. More severe changes could manifest themselves as specific diseases. Many of these issues can be prevented by regular checks by an avian vet and proper diet management.
You can also read about how to take care of yourself.
African greys need mental stimulation and plenty of attention in order to be content. If buy a grey parrot becomes bored, it can become depressed and exhibit negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation and feather-picking. To ensure your pet's health it is vital to get routine veterinary examinations including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.
African greys are monogamous. They form a dedicated pair bond, incubating eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for the infants until they are about 10 weeks old. They can fly, and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They live for a long time and often outlive their owners, making them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are extremely adaptable and can adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural habitat with plenty of trees and perches. They are able to utilize their feet with two faces facing back and two facing forward on each foot - to aid in balance and perch, much as humans do with their hands. Their short beaks feature an upper mandible with a curvature that can be easily positioned over the lower one to aid in cracking open seeds and nuts and their strong grip could tear through bark and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits, seeds and dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make less than five percent of the diet total and should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that avoid the emergence of pickiness. They should also be offered an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, as well as cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water must always be available, and cages must be cleaned regularly. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be required if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, but their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. They are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States and receive the highest level of protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Find out more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!