Caring For baby african grey parrot for sale to toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. They could be destructive or even scream if they don't get enough mental stimulation.

They are highly intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. They are at risk from the trade in pets and habitat loss.

Feeding

The dietary requirements of African greys are slightly different from the other psittacine species. Although they are omnivores in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds to fruit and vegetables.

In captivity they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity which is why it is essential for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to comprise 75% of a parrot's daily diet.

Ideal diets should consist of pellets as well as freshly prepared meals. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh food. The best choices are spinach, kale silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, and broccoli. The spouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acids, which can block the absorption of calcium in the body.

Nuts are a rich source of nutrients to a diet, but they should be fed sparingly because of their fat content. They are rich in proteins, healthy fats and minerals and vitamins.

The rest of your diet should be the combination of fruits and veggies. Avocado is poisonous to psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot is consuming too many fruits, they could develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight, and introduce new food in small amounts. Doing a daily weigh-in will enable you to swiftly detect any changes and correct them. Regularly offering the bird water is also a good idea. This will help prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. Unfinished food in the cage or play area can spoil and cause health problems for your bird.

Training

Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, although they might take days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot that is well-trained can respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and stop them from getting bored. The effects of boredom can be detrimental to behavior, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.

It is essential to avoid over-bonding as a pet that becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive towards others. This can be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those who suffer from allergies. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that all members of the household should spend some time each day with the parrot in different ways. This will make the bird more at ease being handled by members of the family and reduce the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.

When a parrot is bonded with a single person, it may bite and peck at other family members or guests who attempt to pet or handle it. To avoid this, family members should each take turns in petting the bird or placing it into its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggression, 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 petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and could be bleed if they are touched. If a blood feather is exposed, it should be immediately clipped and replaced with a fresh feather.

In addition to petting, family members should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. The bird should be taught to identify food items and toys. This will make it easier to teach the bird to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members without being physically near them.

Health

While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots in the world, it is bored quickly and use destructive behaviors in the absence of toys or other methods to exercise its mind. It also needs a great deal of mental stimulation to prevent self-mutilation excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots aren't cheap to acquire The initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys that are destroyed quickly, as well as food. They can also be susceptible to infections that can be costly to treat.

These social birds require lots of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime involving games or puzzles, as well as lessons. They also need hours of exercise and free time every day to build strength and remain healthy. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It should be constructed from nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have many different kinds of perches that have different dimensions and heights, so that they can switch between them. A roost is also needed, which is usually made of concrete or a wooden perch at the corner of the cage.

Parrots need access to water that is fresh throughout the day and must be replenished every day. They should be offered a variety of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, with treats limited to no more than about 10% of their diet. You should also offer different nuts and seeds. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should comprise approximately 75% of the diet.

The majority of parrot-related diseases are the result of long-term diet imbalances. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, bad plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will be a sign of specific disease entities. Many of these can be prevented with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management.

You can also learn how to take care of yourself.

African greys need mental stimulation and plenty of attention in order to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it can become depressed and exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. To ensure that your pet is healthy it is vital to get routine veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.


African greys form monogamous groups and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They tend to their babies until they reach about 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, making them popular pets worldwide.

They are highly adaptable and will adjust well to many different environments however, they prefer a natural habitat with plenty of trees and perches to explore. They can also use 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 beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible that fits 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 part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% of the total and be supplemented by high-quality crumbles or pellets to prevent excessive pickiness. Additionally it is recommended to provide various fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and lentils. 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 may be necessary if your diet is not nutritionally complete.

The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, but their populations are declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Luckily, 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). Find out more about these incredible birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!