Caring For an African Grey Parrot

Like toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to prevent behavior problems. Without it, they may become destructive or even start screaming.

Highly intelligent, they are arguably the best mimics of all parrot species and can understand human speech. The trade in pets and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them.

Feeding

The diet requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.

In captivity, they are more likely than not to eat seeds and fruit. They also are prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies therefore it is crucial for pet owners to check the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should make up 75% of a bird's diet, and it is recommended that they be sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.

Ideal diets should comprise pellets, seeds and freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% 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 leaf, sweetcorn and endive are both beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower as they are rich in oxalic acids, which can block the absorption of calcium in the body.

Nuts are rich in nutrients, but they should be consumed in moderation due to their high fat content. They are high in proteins, healthy fats and minerals and vitamins.

The rest of the diet should be made up of a mixture of vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to stay clear of avocado since it can be toxic to psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include alcohol, chocolate, coffee and raw potatoes. african grey parrot eggs for sale to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they may suffer from yeast-related issues in their gastrointestinal tract.

A well-balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is important to watch the bird's weight and introduce new foods in small amounts. Doing a daily weigh-in will allow you to observe any changes and then correct them. Giving the bird water regularly is also a good idea. This will stop the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area could spoil and cause health problems for your bird.

Training

Parrots are easily taught to speak. However, it could take them days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot that is trained well can also do simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and keep them from becoming bored. The effects of boredom can be detrimental to behavior like feather-picking or destructive chewing. These issues require the intervention of a professional.

It's important to nip over the signs of bonding early as if a bird becomes completely attached to one person in a family it can become territorial and threatening to other people. This can be very risky for children, elderly people or those with allergies. To prevent this from happening everyone in the household should spend time every day playing and interacting with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable with being touched by members of the family and decrease the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.

A bird that is tied to one person will typically start biting and pecking other family members or visitors when they attempt to pet it or even touch it. To prevent this from happening, family members should each take turns petting the bird or putting it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggression, it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it is calmed down.

Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and can cause bleeding if they are brushed against. If a pinfeather or blood feather is found to be exposed, it must be immediately clipped and replaced with a new feather.

Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught how to label toys or food. This will help the bird to learn to speak and will also allow it to communicate with other family members without needing to be physically present.

Health

While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can become bored easily and will resort to destructive behavior if not given enough toys or other opportunities to stimulate its mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screams. Parrots can be costly pets to have. The initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys that get destroyed quickly. They can also be prone to infections that can be costly to treat.

These highly social birds need lots of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime involving games or puzzles, as well as lessons. To stay strong and healthy they must spend hours each day exercising and being outside of their cage. Their cage must be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It should be made of non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should include several perches with different heights and styles so that birds can move between them. They also need an roost, typically a wooden post that is tall or a concrete perch in the corner of the cage.

Parrots must have access to water that is fresh at all times and it must be replenished daily. They should be offered various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and treats should be limited to no more than about 10% of their diet. You should also offer a variety of nuts and seeds. High-quality formulated pellets or crumble should make up about 75% of the diet.

The majority of parrot-related problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Small irregularities can manifest as slow growth and development, bad quality plumage or breeding performance, while more severe changes can manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these are preventable with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.

You can also read about how to care for yourself.

African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention in order to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it can become depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather-picking. To keep your pet healthy, it is important to have regular veterinary examinations, fecal testing and vaccinations.

African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for 21-30 days. They tend to their babies until they reach about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They can live for a long time and often outlive their owners, making them a beloved pet in the world.

They are highly adaptable and can easily adjust to different environments However, they prefer a natural environment with plenty of trees and perches to explore. They can even use their feet that are facing backwards and two facing forward on each foot - to help to balance and perch, just as humans use their hands. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This makes it easier for them to break open seeds, nuts and wood.


In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits seeds and nuts as a part of healthy diet. However, seeds should only make up no more than 5% of the total diet. They should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that avoid pickiness. They should also be offered an assortment of fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should always be available and cage maintenance is required daily. If the diet is not complete, supplements such as calcium or vitamin D could be required.

The World Parrot Trust is working hard to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their populations are decreasing 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 of protection under CITES. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!