10 Websites To Help You Be A Pro In Caring For An Grey Parrot
Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, just like toddlers, are prone to becoming bored quickly and require mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They may be destructive or shout if they don't get enough stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics among all species of parrots. They can comprehend human speech. The trade in pets and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds over fruits and vegetables.
In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to eat fruits and seeds. It is also essential to check the quality and quantity of their diets as they are susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles should comprise 75% of a bird's diet, and it is recommended that they be purchased from reputable brands such as Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideal diets should consist of pellets, seeds and freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, spinach, and kale are among the top choices. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaves endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower as they contain high levels of oxalic acids which can prevent calcium absorption by the body.
Nuts are a great source of nutrients however, they should be consumed in moderation because of their high fat content. They are a source of protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should comprise a mixture of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is toxic to psittacines. Other food items that are toxic include chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. If a parrot consumes too many fruits, they could develop yeast-related problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A well-balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight and to offer new foods in small amounts. It is recommended to weigh the bird on a daily basis so that any changes could be spotted and swiftly be rectified. Giving the bird water regularly is also a good idea. This will help to avoid dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area may spoil and cause health problems 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 the words they hear. A well-trained parrot will also respond to cues and perform simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's brain active and stop them from getting bored. Boredom can lead to unwelcome behaviours like feather-picking and destructive chewing. These problems require the intervention of a professional.
It is important to stop the bonding process early, because if a parrot becomes totally attached to a single person in a family it can become territorial and threatening to other people. This can be very dangerous for children, elderly people or people with allergies. To avoid this, all members of the household should spend time every day playing and interacting with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable with being loved by the family and decrease the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior.
If a parrot is in a relationship to a single person, it may bite and peck at family members or guests trying to pet or handle it. To avoid this family members should take turns petting the bird or putting it into its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggressive behavior then it should be put 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 can cause bleeding if they are brushed against. If a blood or pinfeather feather is found to be exposed, it must be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather.
In addition to petting, family members should be taught how to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. They should also be instructed to teach the bird to identify items, like toys or food items. This will allow the bird to develop the ability to speak, and it will also enable it to communicate with other family members without having to be physically present.
Health
While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it can get bored and use destructive behaviors when it is not provided with enough toys or other opportunities to stimulate its mind. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screaming. Parrots can be costly pets to own. The initial costs are expensive, and they require a constant supply of toys that are quickly destroyed. They are also prone to infections and are costly to treat.
These highly social birds need plenty of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime with games and puzzles as well as lessons. To remain strong and healthy they should exercise for hours a day 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 safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. bird african grey for sale should include several perches with different heights and styles to allow birds to move between them. They also require an roost, typically a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
Parrots need access to clean water at all times, and it must be replenished regularly. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits, with treats limited to no more than about 10% of the diet. You should also offer different seeds and nuts. african grey parrots sale -quality, formulated pellets or granules should make up around 75% of the food.
The majority of the problems with parrots are caused by long-term diet imbalances. Minor issues can result in poor growth, poor plumage quality or breeding performance. More severe changes could be a sign of specific diseases. Many of these can be prevented with regular well-checks from an avian vet and proper diet management.
Care
Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be happy. If a parrot is bored, it could display negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation, or even feather picking. To keep your pet healthy it is essential to regularly undergo veterinary exams, fecal testing and vaccinations.
African greys form monogamous pairs and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for their young until they are about 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They have long lifespans and often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets across the world.
They are extremely adaptable and can adapt to many 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, just as humans do. Their short beaks have a curved upper mandible that fits neatly over the lower to help them crack open nuts and seeds, and their strong grip can cut through bark and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, seeds and nuts as part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% and be supplemented by high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid pickiness. They should also be served with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, as well as cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should always be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if your diet isn't nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, however, 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 enjoy the highest level protection under CITES. Learn more about these incredible parrots in our parrot dictionary!