Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, like toddlers, can become bored easily and need mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. If they aren't stimulated, they could become destructive or start screaming.
They are extremely intelligent and can mimic human speech. They face threats from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys are slightly different from other large psittacine species. Although they are omnivores in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds over vegetables and fruits.
In captivity they are more likely to consume fruits and leafy greens rather than seeds. It is also essential to observe the quality and quantity of their diets as they are susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to make up 75% of a parrot's daily diet.
Ideally, the diet should contain a mixture of pellets and fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh food. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeet, pak choi, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaf, sweetcorn and endive are both beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acid, which could hinder the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts provide a lot of nutrients however, they should be consumed in moderation due to their fat content. They provide protein as well as healthy fats, and a few minerals and vitamins.
The rest of your diet should be made up of a mix of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is poisonous to the psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they can suffer from yeast-related issues in their gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight and introduce new foods in small quantities. Weighing the bird every day will allow you to detect any changes and correct them. Offering the bird regularly water is also a good idea. This will prevent 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 as it will spoil and can cause health issues for your parrot.
Training
Parrots are very intelligent creatures and are able to easily learn to speak, though it may require days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained properly can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and stop them from getting bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require the intervention of a professional.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding as a pet that becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive toward others. This can be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those with allergies. To prevent this from happening, everyone in the household should spend time every day playing with the parrot and engaging with it in various ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being touched by all members of a family and reduce the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.
When a bird is bonded to a single person, it may bite and scratch at family members or guests trying to touch or pet it. To avoid caring for an grey parrot is recommended that each family member take turns petting the bird before placing it in its cage. If caring for an grey parrot 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 pet-loving sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and can cause bleeding when brushed against. If a bloody feather pinfeather is found to be exposed, it must be removed immediately and replaced by another one.
In addition to a petting session, family members should be taught how to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. The bird should be taught how to label toys or food. 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
The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it can get bored and resort to destructive behavior if it is not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their minds. It also needs a great deal of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, feather picking and excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap to have The initial costs are expensive and they require a constant supply of toys that can be destroyed quickly, plus food. They are also susceptible to infections, which can be expensive to treat.
These highly social birds need plenty of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime with games or puzzles, as well as lessons. They also require hours of exercise and out-of-cage time each day to build strength and stay healthy. The cage should be big enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and made from nontoxic materials. It should be equipped with various perches with different sizes and textures so that the birds can move between them. A roost is also required typically made of concrete or a wooden perch in the corner of the cage.
Parrots must have access to clean water throughout the day and should be replaced daily. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and vegetables, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. You should also offer a variety of seeds and nuts. About 75% of their diet should be made up of high-quality pellets or granules.
The majority of parrot-related issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor problems will manifest as poor growth and development, bad quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more severe changes will manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these can be prevented with regular well-checks by an avian vet and proper diet management.
Care
African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention to be content. If a bird is bored, it could display negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or even feather picking. It is crucial to conduct regular veterinary examinations, fecal screening and vaccinations carried out to ensure your pet stays healthy.
African greys are monogamous. They form a dedicated pair bond, incubating eggs for 21 to 30 days, and caring for the infants until they reach 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They live long and often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets worldwide.
They are extremely adaptable and will adjust well to a variety of environments, but they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches to explore. They can even utilize their feet that are facing backwards and two facing forward on each foot - to aid in to balance and perch, just as humans use their hands. Their short beaks are curved and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This helps them crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits, seeds and dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make less than 5percent of the diet total and should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that reduce pickiness. They should also be served with various fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage cleaning is required daily. If the diet is not adequate, supplements like vitamin D or calcium may be required.
The World Parrot Trust is working to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots and their habitats. However, their numbers are declining due to illegal trade. They are, however, protected by 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. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot dictionary!