The 10 Scariest Things About Caring For An Grey Parrot

caring for An grey parrot For an African Grey Parrot

Like toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They could be destructive or even cry if they don’t receive enough stimulation.

Highly intelligent, they are arguably the best mimics among all species of parrots and recognize human speech. The pet trade and habitat destruction are the main threats to them.

Feeding

The dietary requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. They are omnivorous, but they prefer seeds over fruit and other vegetables.

In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to consume fruits and seeds. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity therefore it is crucial for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to make up 75% of a bird’s daily diet.

Ideally the diet should comprise pellets as well as fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are among the best choices. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaf, sweetcorn and endive are good choices. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acids, which can hinder the absorption of calcium by the body.

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

The rest of your diet should comprise a mixture of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is toxic to the psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot eats excessive amounts of fruits, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

A well-balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird’s weight, and introduce new foods in small amounts. The bird’s weight is measured every day. This will enable you to swiftly observe any changes and then correct them. It’s also a great idea to give the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will stop dehydration and bacterial infections. Unfinished food in the cage or play area could ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird.

Training

Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it might take them days or even weeks to repeat the words they hear. A well-trained parrot will also respond to cues and perform simple tricks. These activities keep a bird’s mind active and stop them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors like feather-picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.

It is essential to avoid over-bonding, as a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive towards other animals. This can be very dangerous for children, elderly people or those with allergies. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time each day with the parrot in various ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being loved by all members of a family and reduce the likelihood that it will develop over protective behavior.

When a parrot is bonded to a single person it may bite and scratch at family members or guests who try to touch or pet it. To avoid this it is recommended that each family member take turns rubbing the bird before placing it in its cage. If a bird is showing aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for a period of time and not handled until it calms down.

Be aware of “pinfeathers” or “blood feathers” during pet-loving sessions. These feathers have a blood supply and may bleeding when they are touched. If a bloody feather pinfeather is exposed and bleeds, it should be removed immediately and replaced with an entirely new one.

Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be instructed to teach the bird how to identify items, like food or toys. This will allow you to teach the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members without being physically near them.

Health

The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it can get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their mind. It also requires a amount of mental stimulation in order to prevent self-mutilation feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots aren’t cheap to acquire – the initial costs are costly and they require a constant supply of toys that will be destroyed quickly, and food. They are also susceptible to infections and can be expensive to treat.

These highly social birds require a lot of interaction with humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. To stay healthy and strong they should spend hours each day exercising and being outside of their cage. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It must be clean, safe and made of non-toxic materials. It should include a variety of perches, with different heights and styles to allow birds to change between them. A roost is also required typically an iron or wood perch that is placed at the corner of the cage.

Parrots should have access to water that is fresh throughout the day and is recommended to replenish it daily. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens and vegetables and should limit their treats to 10 percent of their diet. They should be offered a wide range of nuts and seeds, as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should comprise around 75% of a diet.

The majority of parrot disease issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor issues can result in poor growth, bad plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More severe changes could manifest themselves as specific diseases. Many of these are preventable with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian and proper diet management.

Care

African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it could display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather grabbing. It is essential to conduct regular veterinary examinations as well as fecal screening and vaccinations carried out to ensure your pet stays healthy.

African greys are monogamous. They form a dedicated pair bond which incubate eggs for up to 30 days. They care for the infants until they are about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They have long lifespans and often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets around the world.

They are extremely adaptable and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural habitat with plenty of trees and perches. They can even utilize their feet – two facing back and two facing forward on each foot – to help to balance and perch, just like humans use their hands. Their short beaks have an upper mandible with a curvature that fits neatly over the lower one to assist in breaking open seeds and nuts and their strong grip could tear through bark and wood.

In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, nuts and seeds as part of healthy diet. However, seeds should make less than five percent of the diet total and should be supplemented by high-quality, formulated pellets or crumbles that avoid pickiness. Also, they should be offered an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked lentils and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available and cage maintenance is essential on a regular basis. If the diet is not sufficient, supplements such as calcium or vitamin D may be required.

The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, but their populations are declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, 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). Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!