Caring for An Grey Parrot For an African Grey Parrot

African grey parrots, just like toddlers, can become bored easily and need mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They can be destructive or cry if they don't receive enough mental stimulation.

Highly intelligent, they are arguably the most accurate mimics of all species of parrots. They can recognize human speech. They are threatened by the pet trade and habitat loss.

Feeding

The dietary requirements of african grey for sale $200 greys are slightly different from other large psittacine species. They are omnivorous, but prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables.

In captivity they are more likely to eat fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. It is also important to check the quality and quantity of their diets as they are susceptible to excess weight and calcium deficiency. 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 include pellets as well as freshly prepared foods. A good proportion is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Kale, spinach and silverbeet are among the best options. The spouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage, because they contain high levels of oxalic acid, which can prevent calcium absorption in the body.

Nuts are a great source of nutrients however they should be eaten in moderation due to their high fat content. They are high in proteins, healthy fats as well as vitamins and minerals.

The rest of the diet should consist of a mix of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is harmful to psittacines. Other common toxic foods include alcohol, chocolate, coffee and raw potatoes. Similarly, if a parrot consumes too many berries, they could suffer from yeast problems in their gastrointestinal tract.

A well-balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is important to monitor the bird's weight and introduce new foods in small amounts. It is recommended to weigh the bird on a daily basis so that any changes can be spotted and swiftly corrected. Regularly offering the bird water is an excellent idea too. This will help prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. Food that is not consumed in the cage or in the play area may spoil and cause health problems for your bird.

Training

Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, though it may require days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A well-trained parrot will also respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's mind active and stop them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.

It is crucial to stop bonding in the bud in the event that a parrot becomes completely attached to one person in a family it may become territorial and aggressive to other members of the family. This can be very dangerous for people with disabilities, children or those suffering from allergies. To avoid this it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time each day playing and interacting with the parrot in different ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being loved by all members of family members and reduce the likelihood that it will develop a protective behavior.

A bird that is tied to one person will typically begin pecking and biting at visitors or family members when they try 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 bird exhibits aggressive behavior and is threatening to harm another bird, it should be placed back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes.

Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and could bleeding when they are touched. If a blood feather or pinfeather becomes exposed to the elements, it should be clipped immediately and replaced with another one.

Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught to identify food items and 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 could get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their mind. It also requires a large amount of mental stimulation to prevent self-mutilation excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots can be expensive pets to own. The initial costs are high and they require constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. They are also susceptible to infections, which can be expensive to treat.

These highly social birds require plenty of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime that includes games, puzzles and lessons. To stay healthy and strong they must exercise for hours a day and escaping their cage. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed from nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have a variety of perches, with different sizes and textures so that birds can change between them. A roost is likewise required and is typically a wooden post or concrete perch that is placed at the corner of the cage.

Parrots need access to fresh water throughout the day and is recommended to replenish it regularly. They should be provided with various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and treats should be limited to not more than 10% of the diet. They should be served an array of nuts and seeds as well. Around 75% of their food should consist of high-quality crumbles or pellets.

Most disease problems in parrots are the result of a long-term food inconsistencies. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, bad plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More significant changes may appear as distinct diseases. Many of these issues can be prevented by regular checks from an avian vet and appropriate diet management.

Care

Like all birds, african grey parrots for adoption greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be happy. If a parrot is bored it will be depressed and show negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation and feather grabbing. It is crucial to conduct regular veterinary examinations, fecal screening and vaccinations performed to ensure that your pet is healthy.

African greys are monogamous. They form a dedicated pair bond which incubate eggs for up to 30 days. They care for the babies until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They live for a long time and often outlive their owners, which makes them a sought-after pet across the globe.

They are highly adaptive and can adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural setting with lots of trees and perches. They can also use their feet with two faces facing back and two facing forward on each foot - to aid in perch and balance, just like 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 part of healthy diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid excessive pickiness. Additionally, they should be offered an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water must always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned every day. If the diet is not sufficient, supplements such as vitamin D or calcium may be required.

The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & timneh african grey parrot parrots as well as their habitats, but their populations are in decline due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, they are protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also receive the highest protection under CITES. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!