10 Websites To Help You To Become A Proficient In Caring For An Grey Parrot
Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Like toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They can become destructive or shout if they don't get enough stimulation.
They are extremely intelligent and can mimic human speech. They face threats from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys are different from other large psittacine species. They are omnivores but prefer seeds over fruit and other vegetables.
In captivity, they are more likely than not to consume fruits and seeds. They are also susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies which is why it is essential for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. 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.
Ideally your diet should include a mix of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeets, pak choi sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Sprouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra can also be beneficial. However, you should avoid cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower as they are high in oxalic acids, which can hinder the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to the diet, but should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They are rich in protein as well as healthy fats, and a few minerals and vitamins.
The rest of the diet should be made up of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is toxic to the psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot consumes too many berries, they may develop yeast issues in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight and to introduce new foods in small amounts. Weighing the bird every day will allow you to observe any changes and then correct them. Giving the bird water regularly is an excellent idea too. This will help prevent dehydration and bacteria-related infections. Food that is not consumed in the cage or in the play area may be spoiled 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 signals and perform simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's mind engaged and keep them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is important to stop the signs of bonding early, because if a parrot becomes completely attached to one member of a family, it may become territorial and threatening to others. This can be very risky for people with disabilities, children or those suffering from allergies. To avoid this it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time every day playing with and engaging with the bird in different ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being touched by all members of family members and reduce the chance that it will develop an overprotective 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 it or even touch it. To prevent this from happening family members should take turns rubbing the bird or placing it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it has calmed down.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers are a source of blood supply and can bleed if they are brushed against. If a blood feather or pinfeather is found to be exposed, it must be removed immediately and replaced with another 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 the bird to learn to speak, and will allow it to communicate with other family members without needing to be physically present.
Health
While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots in the world, it is bored and resort to destructive behavior when it is not provided with enough toys or other opportunities to exercise its mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screaming. Parrots are expensive pets to have. The initial costs are expensive, and they need constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. They can also be prone to infections, which can be costly to treat.
These highly social birds need lots of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime with games or puzzles, as well as lessons. To stay strong and healthy they must be active for hours every day and out of their cage. The cage should be large enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed from nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should come with a variety of kinds of perches, with different heights and textures, so that they can switch between them. They also require the roost, which is usually a tall wooden post or an elevated concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
Parrots need access to clean water at all times, and it is recommended to replenish it every day. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and vegetables, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. They should be offered an array of nuts and seeds as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should make up around 75% of the diet.
The majority of parrot-related problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor issues can result in poor growth, poor plumage quality or breeding performance. More significant changes may manifest themselves as specific diseases. Many of these can be prevented by regular checks from an avian vet, and proper diet management.
Care
Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be happy. If a parrot is bored it will be depressed and exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. To keep your pet healthy it is vital to have regular veterinary examinations including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.
African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for 21-30 days. They take care of their babies until they reach around 10 weeks old. They can fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They have long lifespans and often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets around the world.
They are extremely adaptable and can adapt to different environments. However they prefer a natural habitat 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 beaks are short and have an upper mandible that fits over the lower. This helps them crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. However, seeds should make only 5percent of the diet total and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that reduce pickinginess. Additionally it is recommended to provide various fresh fruits, vegetables as well as cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water should always be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh Parrots and their habitats. However, their numbers are declining 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. Learn have a peek at this website about these incredible parrots in our parrot dictionary!