10 Things We Hate About Caring For An Grey Parrot
Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. They can be destructive or even shout if they don't get enough mental stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics of all species of parrots. They can comprehend human speech. They are at risk from the trade in pets and habitat loss.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from 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. It is also crucial to check the quality and quantity of their food intakes since they are susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to comprise 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should consist of pellets as well as freshly prepared meals. A good ratio would be 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. The best choices are kale, spinach, silverbeets, pak choi broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Native plants and spouting grasses such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower since they are high in levels of oxalic acids, which may hinder calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts provide a lot of nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation because of their high fat content. They provide protein, healthy fats, as well as minerals and vitamins.
The rest of the diet should be made up of a mix of fruits and vegetables. It is best to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to the psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. Similarly, if a parrot eats too many berries they can suffer from yeast problems in their gastrointestinal tract.
A well-balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight and introduce new foods in small quantities. It is beneficial to weigh the bird daily so that any changes could be observed and quickly corrected. Giving the bird water regularly is an excellent idea too. This will prevent 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 highly intelligent and can easily learn to speak, although they may require days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can 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 problems require professional intervention.
It's crucial to prevent over-bonding, as a parrot that is too attached to a person may become territorial and aggressive toward others. This can be very dangerous for people with disabilities, children or those suffering from allergies. To prevent this from happening, everyone in the family must spend time each day playing with the bird and playing with it in a variety of ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable when loved by all members of the family and decrease the chance that it will develop over protective behavior.
When a bird is bonded to a single person, it may bite and peck at other family members or guests who attempt to touch or pet it. To prevent this from happening the entire family should be able to alternate petting the bird and 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 is calmed down.
During petting sessions, be aware of areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers have a blood supply, and can bleeding when touched. If a blood feather or pinfeather is exposed to the elements, it should be removed immediately and replaced with a new one.
Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should also be taught to label toys or food. jako parrot for sale Charming African Grey Parrot For Sale will allow you to teach the bird to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members without being physically near them.
Health
The African grey parrot is one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, it is prone to get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their mind. It also needs a great amount of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots can be costly pets to own. The initial costs are high, and they need constant new toys which are destroyed quickly. They are also susceptible to infections, which could be costly to treat.
These highly 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 out-of-cage time each day to build strength and stay healthy. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It should be clean, safe and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should include a variety of kinds of perches that have different heights and textures and be able to change them. They also need the roost, which is usually a wooden post that is tall or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have clean water available and this should be changed daily. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and treats should be limited to a maximum of 10% of their diet. They should be offered a wide range of nuts and seeds, as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should make up around 75% of the food.
The majority of parrot-related diseases are caused by long-term dietary imbalance. Small irregularities can manifest as poor growth and development, bad quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more severe changes can manifest as specific disease entities. A lot of these can be avoided by regular check-ups from an avian vet, and the proper management of diet.
You can also read about how to take care of yourself.
African greys require mental stimulation and plenty of attention in order to be content. If a parrot is bored it can become depressed and show negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather-picking. To ensure your pet's health, it is important to have regular veterinary examinations including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.
African greys are monogamous. They form exclusive pair bonds, incubating eggs for 21 to 30 days and caring for the infants until they are about 10 weeks of age. They can fly and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They can live for a long time, and often outlive their owners, making them a beloved pet in the world.
They are extremely adaptable and can adapt to different environments. However they prefer a natural environment with lots 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, just as humans do. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This helps them crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits, seeds and dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make only 5percent of the diet total and should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that prevent the emergence of pickiness. Also they should be served with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water must always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned daily. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally complete.
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. Fortunately, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest protection under CITES. Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot dictionary!