caring for an grey parrot [charmingafricangreyparrotforsale.com] For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can get bored quickly and need plenty of stimulation to prevent behavior problems. If they don't get enough stimulation, they could become destructive or start screaming.
Highly intelligent, they are arguably the most accurate mimics of all parrot species and can understand human speech. They face threats from the trade in pets and habitat loss.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from 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 are also prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity so it is important for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to comprise 75% of a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should comprise pellets, seeds and freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, spinach, and kale are among the best choices. Sprouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, okra and okra can also be beneficial. However, you should avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acid. This can hinder the absorption of calcium by the body.
Nuts provide a lot of nutrients however they should be consumed in moderation because of their high fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, as well as minerals and vitamins.
The rest of your diet should be made up of a mixture of vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot is consuming excessive amounts of berries, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A well-balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is important to watch the bird's weight and to provide new food items in small amounts. It is beneficial to weigh the bird daily so that any changes can be spotted and swiftly rectified. Regularly offering the bird water is also a good idea. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infections. Unfinished food in the cage or in the play area can be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are highly intelligent and are able to easily learn to speak, however it may take days or even weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot that has been trained properly can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's brain active and prevent them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It's important to nip over the signs of bonding early, because if a parrot becomes a devoted member of the family, it can become territorial and aggressive to others. This can be very dangerous for elderly people, children or people with allergies. To avoid this, everyone in a household should spend time each day playing with the parrot and interacting with it in a variety of ways. This will allow the bird become more comfortable when touched by all members of a family and reduce the possibility that it could develop a protective behavior.
A parrot that is attached to one person will typically start biting and pecking other family members or visitors when they try to pet or touch it. To avoid this the entire family should take turns rubbing the bird and putting it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggression, it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it has calmed down.
During the petting sessions be aware of the areas that are thought to be "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers are a source of blood supply and can bleed when they are brushed against. If a blood feather is exposed, it should be removed immediately 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 to identify food items and toys. This will help teach the bird to speak and will also allow it to communicate with family members without being physically close to them.
Health
While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it can get bored quickly and use destructive behaviors if not given enough toys or other ways to exercise its brain. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screaming. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to have - the initial costs are costly and they require a constant supply of toys that will be destroyed quickly, and food. They are also prone to infections, and are expensive to treat.
These highly social birds need plenty of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime involving games, puzzles and lessons. They also require hours of exercise and time out of cage each day to build strength and remain healthy. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed from non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should include a variety of kinds of perches that have different heights and textures, so that they can switch between them. A roost is likewise required and is typically made of concrete or a wooden perch at the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have fresh water available and this should be changed daily. They should be offered an assortment of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and should be restricted to not more than 10% of their diet. They should be served various nuts and seeds as well. High-quality formulated pellets or crumble should make up around 75% of the diet.
The majority of the problems with parrots are the result of a long-term food inconsistencies. Minor problems will manifest as slow growth and development, bad quality plumage or breeding performance while more significant changes will manifest as distinct diseases. Many of these are preventable through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management.
Care
Like all birds, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be happy. If a parrot becomes bored, it can exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. To keep your pet healthy, it is important to get routine veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.
African greys are monogamous and form exclusive pair bonds that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for the infants until they reach 10 weeks of age. They are able to fly, and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They have long lifespans and can often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets across the world.
They are highly adaptable and can easily adjust to a variety of environments However, they prefer a natural habitat with lots of perches and trees to explore. They can even use their feet that are facing backwards and two facing forward on each foot - to aid in perch and balance, just as humans use their hands. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This allows them to break open seeds, nuts and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make up no more than five percent of the diet total and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that avoid the emergence of pickiness. They should also be provided with various fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned every day. If the diet isn't adequate, supplements like calcium or vitamin D could be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, but their populations are declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, they are protected under 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 incredible parrots in our parrot dictionary!