10 Startups That Will Change The Caring For An Grey Parrot Industry For The Better
Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, like toddlers, can get bored quickly and require mental stimulation to avoid behavioral problems. They may be destructive or scream if they don't get enough stimulation.
They are highly intelligent and can mimic human speech. They are at risk from the trade in pets and habitat loss.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. They are omnivores however, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.
In captivity they are more likely to eat fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. Charming African Grey Parrot For Sale are also susceptible 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.
Ideally your diet should include a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh foods. Kale, spinach and silverbeet are some of the best options. The spouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, okra and okra can also be beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower, since they are high in levels of oxalic acids which may hinder calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are a great source of nutrients, but they should be consumed in moderation due to their high fat content. They are a source of protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should comprise an assortment of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is harmful to Psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include chocolate, alcohol and coffee and raw potatoes. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they could be suffering from yeast issues in their gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best way to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small amounts. Weighing the bird every day will allow you to quickly identify any changes and rectify them. It's also a good idea to give the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. Food that is not consumed in the cage or in the play area could be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it may take them days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind active and stop them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It's important to nip over the bonding process early in the event that a parrot becomes totally attached to a single member of a family, it may become territorial and aggressive towards other people. This can be very dangerous for elderly people, children or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all in the household should spend time each day playing with the parrot and interacting with it in various ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being loved by the family and lessen the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behaviour.
When a parrot is bonded with a single person, it may bite and scratch at other family members or guests who attempt to handle or pet it. To prevent this from happening the entire family should be able to alternate petting the bird before putting it in its cage. If a bird is showing aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it calms down.
During petting sessions be aware of the areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply, and can cause bleeding when brushed against. If a blood feather or pinfeather becomes exposed to the elements, it should be removed immediately and replaced by a new one.
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 train the bird to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them.
Health
The African grey parrot is one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it can become bored and engage in destructive behavior if it is not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their mind. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap to own - the initial costs are high and they need constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, plus food. They are also susceptible to infections and can be costly to treat.
These social birds require a lot of interaction humans, including hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. They also need hours of exercise and free time each day to build strength and stay healthy. The cage should be large enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should have many different kinds of perches that have different sizes and textures in order to switch between them. They also need an roost, typically an elevated wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
The parrots should always have clean water and this should be changed daily. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and should be restricted to not more than 10% of their diet. Also, you should offer different nuts and seeds. High-quality formulated pellets or crumble should constitute approximately 75% of the diet.
The majority of parrot disease issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor problems will manifest as poor growth and development, low quality plumage or breeding performance while more significant changes can manifest as specific diseases. Many of these can be prevented through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
You can also read about how to take care of yourself.
African greys need mental stimulation and plenty of attention to be happy. If a parrot is bored, it may display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. To ensure your pet's health, it is important to get routine veterinary examinations including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.
African greys are monogamous and form a dedicated pair bond which incubate eggs for up to 30 days and caring for the infants until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They have long lives and are often able to outlive their human owners, making them popular pets worldwide.
They are extremely adaptable and can adapt to different environments. However they prefer a natural environment with plenty of trees and perches. They can use their feet to balance and perch - with two faces back on each foot and two facing forward on each foot, exactly as humans do. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This makes it easier for them to break open seeds, nuts and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. However, seeds should make less than 5% of the diet total and should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that avoid the emergence of pickiness. Also, they should be offered a variety fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water must always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned regularly. If the diet isn't complete, supplements such as calcium or vitamin D could be required.
The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & 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 enjoy the highest protection under CITES. Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!