Caring For An Grey Parrot: 11 Things That You're Failing To Do
Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Like toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to avoid problems with their behavior. They could be destructive or even cry if they don't receive enough stimulation.
They are highly intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. They are at risk from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. They are omnivorous, however, they prefer 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 monitor the quality and quantity of their diets since they are at risk of overweight and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to comprise 75% of a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should include pellets, seeds and freshly prepared meals. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Silverbeet, spinach, and kale are among the top options. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaves endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower, because they contain high levels of oxalic acid, which can prevent calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are rich in nutrients however they should be consumed in moderation due to their high fat content. They are a source of protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should consist of the combination of fruits and veggies. Avocado is harmful to Psittacines. Other food items that are toxic include alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. If a parrot is consuming excessive amounts of berries, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
A 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 food in small quantities. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will allow you to quickly observe any changes and then correct them. Offering the bird regularly water is an excellent idea too. This will help prevent dehydration and infections caused by bacteria. It is also essential to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area as it will spoil and can lead to health problems for your parrot.
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 parrot that has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and prevent 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 crucial to stop bonding in the bud, because if a parrot becomes completely attached to one member of the family, it can become territorial and aggressive to others. This can be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all in a household must spend time each day playing with the parrot and engaging with it in various ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being loved by the family and decrease the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.
When a parrot is bonded with a single person, it may bite and peck at family members or guests trying to touch or pet it. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that each family member take turns petting the bird and putting it in its cage. If a parrot displays aggressive behavior then it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a while.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers have a blood supply, and can bleed when they are touched. If a pinfeather or blood feather is found to be exposed, it must be removed immediately and replaced with a new feather.
In addition to petting, family members should be taught how to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. The bird should be taught how to identify food items and toys. This will make it easier to train the bird to speak and will also enable it to communicate with family members without being physically close to them.
Health
While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can become bored easily and will 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 aren't cheap to acquire as the initial costs are high and they require constant new toys that will be destroyed quickly, plus food. They are also prone to infections and can be expensive to treat.
These social birds require lots of interaction with humans, including hours of playtime that includes games or puzzles, as well as lessons. They also require hours of exercise and time out of cage every day to build strength and stay healthy. Their cage should be big enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It must be safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should include various perches with different sizes and textures so that the birds can change between them. A roost is also needed typically a wooden post or concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
Parrots need access to water that is fresh throughout the day and must be replenished daily. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens and other vegetables, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. They should be provided with a wide range of nuts and seeds as well. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should comprise about 75% of the diet.
The majority of the problems with parrots are the result of long-term dietary imbalance. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, bad plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More severe changes could appear as distinct disease entities. Many of these issues can be avoided through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
Like any other bird, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it may display negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. It is essential to conduct regular veterinary exams, fecal screening and vaccinations carried out to ensure your pet stays healthy.
African greys are monogamous and form a dedicated pair bond which incubate eggs for up to 30 days. They care for the babies until they reach 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They can live a long time, and often outlive their owners, making them a sought-after pet across the globe.
They are extremely adaptable and can adapt to many different environments. However, they prefer a natural habitat with lots of trees and perches. They can also utilize their feet with two faces facing back and two facing forward on each foot - to aid in perch and balance, just as humans use their hands. Their short beaks have an upper mandible with a curvature that fits neatly over the lower mandible to help them crack 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. However, seeds should make up no more than 5% of the total diet. They should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that avoid the emergence of pickiness. Additionally it is recommended to provide an assortment of fresh vegetables, fruits, and cooked lentils and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. 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 and their habitats, however, their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Luckily, 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!