Caring For an African Grey Parrot

African grey parrots, just like toddlers, can get bored easily and require mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. If they aren't stimulated, they could become destructive or even start screaming.

They are extremely intelligent and can mimic human speech. The trade in pet animals and habitat destruction are the main threats to them.

Feeding

The diet requirements of African greys are a little different from other large psittacine species. They are omnivores however, they prefer seeds over fruits and other vegetables.

In captivity they are more likely to consume fruits and leafy greens rather than seeds. They also are prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies therefore it is crucial for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should constitute 75% of a parrot's diet, and it is recommended that they be procured from top brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.

Ideal diets should consist of pellets as well as freshly prepared food items. 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, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. 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 high in oxalic acid, which could hinder the absorption of calcium in the body.

Nuts are a great source of nutrients, but they should be consumed in moderation because of their high fat content. They provide protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals.

The rest of your diet should consist of an assortment of fruits and veggies. Avocado is toxic to psittacines. Other common toxic foods include alcohol, chocolate, raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot consumes too many fruits, they may develop yeast issues in the gastrointestinal tract.

A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small quantities. Doing a daily weigh-in will allow you to observe any changes and then correct them. It is also a good idea to give the bird fresh water regularly. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area can spoil and cause health problems for your bird.

Training

Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it could take them days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot that is trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and keep them from becoming bored. Boredom can lead to unwelcome behaviours like feather-picking and 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 completely attached to one member of the family, it may become territorial and threatening to others. This could be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those with allergies. To avoid this, everyone in the family must spend time each day playing with the bird and playing with it in various ways. This will make the bird more comfortable with being handled by members of the family and reduce the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior.

A bird that is tied to one person is likely to begin pecking and biting at other family members or visitors when they try to pet or touch it. To avoid this the entire family should take turns petting the bird before putting it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggressive behavior and is threatening to harm another bird, it should be placed back in its cage and not handled for a while.

Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply and may be bleed if touched. If a blood or pinfeather feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather.

In addition to a petting session, family members should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. They should also be instructed to teach the bird to identify items, like food or toys. This will allow you to teach 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 one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it can get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screams. Parrots can be expensive pets to have. The initial costs are expensive, and they require constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. buy a grey parrot are also prone to infections and are costly to treat.

These highly social birds require lots of interaction with humans, including hours of playtime that includes games, puzzles and lessons. They also require hours of exercise and out-of-cage time every day to build strength and remain healthy. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be constructed of non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have various perches with different heights and styles to allow birds to switch between them. They also need a roost, usually a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.

Parrots must have access to water that is fresh throughout the day and is recommended to replenish it daily. They should be offered a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and should be restricted to a maximum of 10% of the diet. They should be offered an array of nuts and seeds, as well. About 75% of their food should consist of high-quality pellets or granules.

The majority of parrot-related issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, poor plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will be a sign of specific disease entities. Many of these can be prevented through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.

You can also learn how to take care of yourself.

African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention to be happy. If a parrot is bored it will be depressed and show negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather picking. To ensure your pet's health it is essential to get routine veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.

African greys form monogamous groups and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They tend to their babies until they reach about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They live for a long time and often outlive their owners, which makes them a popular pet worldwide.


They are extremely adaptable and can be adapted to different environments however, they prefer a natural environment with lots of perches and trees to explore. They can also use their feet with two faces facing back and two facing forward on each foot - to help to balance and perch, just as humans do with their hands. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible with a curvature that is a perfect fit over the lower to aid in cracking open seeds and nuts and their strong grip could rip through wood and bark.

In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, nuts and seeds as part of a balanced diet. However, seeds should only make less than 5percent of the total diet. They should be supplemented by high-quality, formulated pellets or crumbles that avoid the emergence of pickiness. Also, they should be offered various fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water must always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned every day. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium may be required if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.

The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their numbers are declining due to illegal trade. They are, however, protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest level protection under CITES. Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot dictionary!