5 Laws That Anyone Working In Caring For An Grey Parrot Should Be Aware Of
Caring For an African Grey Parrot
African grey parrots, much like toddlers, are prone to becoming bored easily and need mental stimulation to prevent behavioral issues. They could become destructive or scream if they don't get enough mental stimulation.
baby african grey parrot , they are arguably the most accurate mimics of all species of parrots and understand human speech. The trade in pet animals and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them.
Feeding
The dietary needs of African greys are different from the other large psittacine species. They are omnivores however, they prefer seeds over fruits and other vegetables.
In captivity, they are more likely to eat fruits and leafy greens rather than seeds. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity so it is important for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to comprise 75% of a bird's daily diet.
Ideally, the diet should contain pellets as well as fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Silverbeet, spinach, and kale are among the best choices. Sprouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, okra and okra are also beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower, as they contain high levels of oxalic acids, which hinder calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are rich in nutrients, but they should be eaten in moderation because of their high fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
The rest of the diet should consist of a mixture of vegetables and fruits. It's best to avoid avocado since it can be toxic to the psittacines. Other common toxic food includes chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. If a parrot eats too many berries, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best way to keep your 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. Doing a daily weigh-in will allow you to identify any changes and rectify them. Offering the bird regularly water is also a good idea. This will help prevent dehydration and bacteria-related infections. It is also essential to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area because it can spoil and lead to health problems for your parrot.
Training
Parrots are very intelligent creatures and are able to speak, although they might take days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to signals and perform simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and stop them from getting bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding because a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and agressive towards others. This could be harmful for children, the elderly or those with allergies. To prevent this from happening everyone in the household should spend time each day playing and interacting with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more at ease being touched by members of the family and lessen the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behaviour.
african grey parrots for adoption that is attached to a single person will usually start biting and pecking other family members or visitors when they attempt to pet it or even touch it. To prevent this from happening, each family member should be able to alternate petting the bird before placing it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggression, it should be returned to its cage for a period of time and not handled until it calms 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 becomes exposed and bleeds, it should be clipped immediately and replaced with an entirely new one.
In addition to petting, family members should be taught to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. They should also be taught to teach the bird to label items, such as toys or food items. This will allow the bird to learn to speak and will also allow it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present.
Health
While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can get bored easily and will use destructive behaviors if not given enough toys or other opportunities to exercise its brain. It also requires lots of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screams. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to own - the initial costs are costly and they need constant new toys that are destroyed quickly, and food. They are also prone to infections and are expensive to treat.
These highly social birds require lots of interaction with humans, including hours of playtime that includes games or puzzles, as well as lessons. To remain strong and healthy they should be active for hours every day and being outside of their cage. Their cage must be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It should be constructed from non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should have various perches with different heights and textures so that birds can change between them. A roost is also needed and is typically a wooden post or concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
Parrots should have access to water that is fresh at all times and it is recommended to replenish it regularly. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and vegetables and should limit their treats to 10 percent of their diet. They should be served an array of nuts and seeds as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should make up about 75% of the food.
The majority of parrot-related diseases are the result of long-term dietary imbalance. Minor issues can result in poor growth, poor plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will appear as distinct disease entities. Many of these are preventable through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian and proper diet management.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it will become depressed and show negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather-picking. To ensure your pet's health it is essential to get routine veterinary examinations, fecal testing and vaccinations.
African greys are monogamous. They form a dedicated pair bond, incubating eggs for 21 to 30 days, and caring for the infants until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They can fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They have long lives and are often able to outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets worldwide.
They are highly adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches. They are able to utilize their feet - two facing back and two facing forward on each foot - to help perch and balance, just as humans do with their hands. Their short beaks feature a mandible that is curved and is a perfect fit over the lower mandible to aid in cracking open nuts and seeds, and their powerful grip can rip through wood and bark.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits seeds, dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to prevent excessive pickiness. They should also be served with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water must always be available, and cages must be cleaned every day. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium may be necessary if your diet isn't nutritionally complete.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots and their habitats, but their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. 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). Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!