15 Gifts For The Caring For An Grey Parrot Lover In Your Life
Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, like toddlers, are prone to becoming bored easily and require mental stimulation to avoid behavior problems. They may become destructive or cry if they don't receive enough stimulation.
They are highly intelligent and can imitate human speech. The pet trade and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys are different from the other psittacine species. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they prefer seeds over vegetables and fruits.
In captivity In captivity, they are more likely than not to eat seeds and fruit. They are also susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies which is why it is essential for pet owners to check the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to comprise 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideally your diet should include a mix of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh food. Kale, spinach and silverbeet are among the top options. Sprouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, okra and okra are also beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acids, which can block the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts are a great source of nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation because of their high fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats and minerals and vitamins.
The rest of the diet should be made up of a mix of fruits and vegetables. african grey parrots on sale is recommended to stay clear of avocado since it can be toxic to Psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they could suffer from yeast problems in their digestive tract.
A balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is crucial to keep an eye on the bird's weight and offer new foods in small quantities. It is a good idea to weigh the bird daily to ensure that any changes can be easily observed and be rectified. It's also a great idea to offer the bird fresh water regularly. This will stop dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or in the play area can be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are easily taught to speak. However, it might take them a few days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained well can also do simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and keep them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviours like feather-picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is important to stop bonding in the bud in the event that a parrot becomes a devoted member of the family, it can become territorial and aggressive towards other members of the family. This can be dangerous for children, the elderly or those with allergies. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that all members of the household should spend some time every day with the parrot in various ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable when touched by everyone in a family and reduce the chance that it will develop a protective behavior.
When a parrot is bonded to a single person it may bite and scratch at other family members or guests trying to touch or pet it. To avoid this, family members should each take turns rubbing the bird or placing it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggression then it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a while.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply and may bleed when they are touched. If a pinfeather or blood feather is exposed, it should be immediately clipped and replaced with a new feather.
In addition to petting, members of the family should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. They should also be instructed to teach the bird 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 having to be physically close to them.
Health
While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can get bored and use destructive behaviors when it is not provided with enough toys or other methods to exercise its mind. It also requires a amount of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots aren't cheap pets to acquire - the initial costs are high and they need constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, and food. They are also prone to infections, and are expensive to treat.
These highly social birds require lots of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime with games and puzzles as well as lessons. To remain strong and healthy they must exercise for hours a day and escaping their cage. The cage should be big enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed of non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should have many different kinds of perches, with different dimensions and heights and be able to change 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 it should be changed every day. They should be offered a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and should be restricted to no more than about 10% of the diet. They should be offered various nuts and seeds as well. About 75% of their food should consist of high-quality pellets or crumbles.
Most disease problems in parrots are the result of a long-term food inconsistencies. Minor irregularities will show up as poor growth and development, bad quality plumage or breeding performance while more severe changes will manifest as distinct diseases. Many of these are preventable with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian and proper diet management.
Care
Like all birds, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be happy. If a bird is bored, it could display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation or even feather picking. To keep your pet healthy it is vital to get routine veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.
African greys are monogamous and form dedicated pair bonds that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days, and caring for the infants until they fledge at about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They have long lifespans and are often able to outlive their human owners, making them popular pets across the world.
They are highly adaptive and can adapt to many different environments. However, they prefer a natural setting with plenty of trees and perches. They can also utilize their feet that are facing backwards and two facing forward on each foot - to help perch and balance, just as humans do with their hands. Their short beaks are curved and have an upper mandible that fits over the lower. This makes it easier for them to break open seeds, nuts and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits seeds, dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% and be supplemented by high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent the possibility of picking. Also it is recommended to provide an assortment of fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water should always be available, and cages must be cleaned every day. If the diet is not adequate, supplements like calcium or vitamin D may be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, but their populations are in decline 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). Learn more about these incredible parrots in our parrot dictionary!