Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can get bored quickly and need lots of mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. Without it, they may become destructive or start screaming.
They are highly intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. They face threats from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary needs of African greys are a little different from the other psittacine species. They are omnivorous, but they prefer seeds over fruit and other vegetables.
In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to eat seeds and fruit. They are also prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity so it is important for pet owners to check the quality of their diets. 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.
Ideally the diet should comprise pellets as well as fresh foods. A good ratio would be 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh foods. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are some of the best options. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaves endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and cabbage as they are rich in oxalic acids, which could hinder the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to the diet, but should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats and minerals and vitamins.
The rest of your diet should be the combination of fruits and veggies. Avocado is harmful to Psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they can suffer from yeast problems in their gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot healthy and happy. It is important to watch the bird's weight and to provide new food items in small quantities. It is recommended to weigh the bird every day so that any changes could be observed and quickly rectified. Offering the bird regularly water is an excellent idea too. This will prevent dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not consumed in the cage or play area could ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, however it may take days or even weeks to repeat words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding, as a parrot who becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive toward others. This could be harmful for children as well as the elderly or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening everyone in the household should spend some time every day playing with and engaging with the parrot in different ways. This will allow the bird to feel more comfortable being touched by everyone in family members and reduce the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
When a parrot is bonded to a single person, it will peck and bite at family members or guests who try to pet or handle it. To avoid this it is recommended that each family member be able to alternate petting the bird before placing 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 has calmed down.
During the petting sessions, be aware of areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers have a blood supply, and can bleed when they are touched. If a blood feather or pinfeather is exposed, it must be clipped immediately and replaced with a new one.
In addition to petting, members of the family should be taught how to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. They should also be instructed to teach the bird to identify objects, such as toys or food items. This will make it easier to train the bird to speak and will also enable it to communicate with family members without being physically close to them.
Health
The African grey parrot is one of most intelligent in the world. However, it can get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their minds. It also requires a amount of mental stimulation in order to prevent self-mutilation feather picking and excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap to own as the initial costs are costly and they need constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, as well as food. They can also be prone to infections that can be expensive to treat.
These highly social birds need lots of interaction with humans, including hours of playtime with games or puzzles, as well as lessons. To stay healthy and strong they should be active for hours every day and being outside 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 materials and clean. It should have a variety of perches, with different heights and styles so that the birds can move between them. They also need a roost, usually an elevated wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have clean water available and it should be changed every day. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens and other vegetables, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. They should be provided with various nuts and seeds as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should constitute approximately 75% of a diet.
The majority of parrot-related problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor problems will manifest as poor growth and development, bad quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, congo african grey parrot marked changes will manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular checks with an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
As with all birds, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be happy. If a bird is bored, it will be depressed and exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. It is important to have regular veterinary exams, fecal screening and vaccinations done to ensure that your pet is healthy.
African greys form monogamous groups and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They tend to their babies until they reach approximately 10 weeks old. They can fly, and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They can live for a long time and are often able to outlive their owners, making them a beloved pet in the world.
They are extremely adaptable and can adapt to many different environments. However they prefer a natural setting with plenty of trees and perches. They can even use their feet - two facing back and two facing forward on each foot - to aid in perch and balance, just as humans do with their hands. Their short beaks are curved and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This allows them to break open seeds, nuts and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits, seeds and dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. However, seeds should make up no more than 5percent of the total diet and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that reduce the emergence of pickiness. They should also be served with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables as well as cooked legumes and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium could be required if the diet is not nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, 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 protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!