The 10 Scariest Things About Caring For An Grey Parrot

caring For an grey Parrot For an African Grey Parrot

African grey parrots, just like toddlers, can get bored quickly and require mental stimulation to prevent behavioral issues. Without it, they may become destructive or start screaming.

Highly intelligent, they are arguably the most accurate mimics of all parrot species and can understand human speech. They are threatened by the trade in pets and habitat loss.

Feeding

The dietary requirements of African greys are slightly different from the other psittacine species. Although they are omnivores in the wild, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.

In captivity they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy greens than seeds. 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 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 mixture of pellets and fresh food. A good proportion is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh foods. Kale, spinach and silverbeet are among the best options. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaves endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower since they are high in levels of oxalic acids, which may hinder calcium absorption in the body.

Nuts are a nutrient-dense addition to a diet, but should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They are a source of protein as well as healthy fats, and a few minerals and vitamins.

The rest of the diet should consist of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. It's best to avoid avocado as it is toxic to the psittacines. Other common toxic foods include alcohol, chocolate, raw potatoes and coffee. Similar to parrots, if a bird consumes too many berries, they can suffer from yeast-related issues in their gastrointestinal tract.

A balanced diet is an excellent way to keep an african grey for sale $200 grey parrot happy and healthy. It is important to monitor the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small amounts. It is a good idea to weigh the bird daily to ensure that any changes can be observed and quickly be rectified. It's also a good idea to give the bird fresh water regularly. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. It is also important to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area because it can spoil and cause health issues for your pet.

Training

Parrots are highly intelligent and are able to easily learn to speak, however it might take days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to cues and perform simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's brain active and stop them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.

It is essential to avoid over-bonding because a parrot that becomes too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive towards other animals. This can be very dangerous for people with disabilities, children or those suffering from allergies. To avoid this, everyone in the household should spend time each day playing with the parrot and interacting with it in different ways. This will allow the bird to feel more comfortable being touched by everyone in a family and reduce the chance that it will develop over protective behavior.

A bird that is tied to one person is likely to start biting and pecking at visitors or family members when they try to pet it or even touch it. To avoid this family members should take turns in petting the bird or placing it in its cage. If a parrot displays aggressive behavior then it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a period of time.

During petting sessions Be aware of areas that are referred to as "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply, and could be bleed if they are touched. If a bloody feather pinfeather is exposed and bleeds, it should be clipped immediately and replaced by another one.

Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be instructed to teach the bird how to identify objects, such as toys or food items. This will help train the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members without being physically near them.

Health

The African grey parrot is one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, it is prone to get bored and resort to destructive behavior if it is not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their mind. It also requires a deal of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots are expensive pets to own. The initial costs are expensive, and they require constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. They can also be susceptible to infections, which can be expensive to treat.

These highly social birds need plenty of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime involving games, puzzles and lessons. They also require hours of exercise and out-of-cage time every day to build strength and stay healthy. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It should be made of nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should include a variety of kinds of perches, with different heights and textures and be able to switch between them. A roost is likewise required and is typically made of concrete or a wooden perch in the corner of the cage.

Parrots should have access to water that is fresh at all times, and it should be replaced regularly. They should be fed various dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits, with treats limited to no more than about 10% of the diet. It is also recommended to provide various nuts and seeds. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should constitute approximately 75% of the diet.

The majority of parrot-related problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor irregularities will show up as poor growth and development, bad quality plumage or breeding performance, while more marked changes will manifest as specific diseases. Many of these are preventable with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian and proper diet management.

You can also read about how to care for yourself.

As with all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be content. If a bird is bored, it may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather grabbing. To ensure that your pet is healthy, it is important to get routine veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.

african grey parrots for adoption greys form monogamous pairs and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They tend to their children until they reach about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They can live for a long time, and often outlive their owners, which makes them a sought-after pet across the globe.

They are highly adaptive and can adapt to many different environments. However they prefer a natural setting 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 are curved and have an upper mandible that fits over the lower. This makes it easier for them to crack open nuts, seeds and wood.

In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, nuts and seeds as part of an optimum diet. However, seeds should make less than 5% of the total diet and should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that reduce the emergence of pickiness. Additionally they should be served with various fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked lentils and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned regularly. If the diet isn't complete, supplements such as calcium or vitamin D may be required.

The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, but their population is 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 receive the highest level of protection under CITES. Learn more about these incredible parrots african grey for sale in our parrot dictionary!