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caring for an grey parrot For an African Grey Parrot

Like toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. Without it, they may become destructive or start screaming.

They are highly intelligent and can imitate human speech. The trade in pet animals and habitat destruction are the main threats to them.

Feeding

The dietary requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. While they are omnivores in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds over vegetables and fruits.

In captivity, they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy greens than seeds. They are also prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies so it is important for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should constitute 75% of a bird's diet, and it is recommended that they be sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.

Ideally the diet should comprise a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good proportion is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Kale, spinach and silverbeet are among the best options. Native plants and spouting grasses such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower since they are high in levels of oxalic acid, which may hinder calcium absorption in the body.

Nuts are rich in nutrients however they should be consumed in moderation due to their fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals.

The rest of your diet should consist of a mix of fruits and vegetables. It is best to stay clear of avocado because it is toxic to psittacines. Other food items that are toxic include alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. Similar to parrots, if a bird consumes too many berries, they may be suffering from yeast issues in their gastrointestinal tract.

A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight and to provide new food items in small quantities. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will allow you to quickly detect any changes and correct them. Giving the bird water regularly is also a good idea. This will help to avoid dehydration and infections caused by bacteria. It is also essential to take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area as it can spoil and cause health issues for your parrot.

Training

Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it could take them a few days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot that is well-trained can respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.

It is essential to avoid over-bonding as a pet that becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive towards others. This can be very dangerous for people with disabilities, children or those suffering from allergies. To avoid this, all members of the household should spend some time each day playing and interacting with the bird in different ways. This will help the bird become more comfortable with being touched by all members of family members and reduce the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.

A bird that is tied to one person is likely to start biting and pecking visitors or family members when they try to pet it or even touch it. To prevent this from happening the entire family should take turns rubbing the bird before putting it in its cage. If a bird exhibits aggressive behavior, it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a while.

During petting sessions Be aware of areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply, and could bleeding when touched. If a bloody feather or pinfeather is exposed to the elements, it should be removed immediately and replaced by an entirely new one.

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 how to identify objects, such as food or toys. This will help the bird to learn to speak and will also allow it to communicate with other family members without having to be physically present.

Health

While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can become bored and use destructive behaviors when it is not provided with enough toys or other opportunities to exercise its brain. It also requires a deal of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots can be expensive pets to own. The initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys which are destroyed quickly. They are also susceptible to infections and are costly to treat.

These social birds require plenty of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime involving games, puzzles and lessons. To stay strong and healthy, they need to exercise for hours a day and being outside of their cage. The cage should be large enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should come with a variety of types of perches with varying dimensions and heights, so that they can switch between them. They also require an roost, typically a tall wooden post or an elevated concrete perch in the corner of the cage.

Parrots should have access to fresh water throughout the day and should be replaced daily. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and other vegetables and should limit their treats to 10 percent of their diet. They should be provided with an array of nuts and seeds as well. About 75% of their food should be made up of high-quality crumbles or pellets.

The majority of parrot-related problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor problems will manifest as poor growth and development, bad quality plumage or breeding performance, while more significant changes will manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these can be prevented by regular checks with an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management.

Care

As with all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be happy. If a parrot becomes bored, it may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather grabbing. To ensure that your pet is healthy it is vital to get routine veterinary examinations, fecal testing and vaccinations.

African greys are monogamous and form a dedicated pair bond that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for the babies until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They live for a long time and often outlive their owners, which makes them a beloved pet in the world.

They are extremely adaptable and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural environment 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 like humans do. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This helps them break open seeds, nuts and wood.

In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% of the diet and should be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid pickiness. They should also be provided with various fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and legumes. Fresh water should always be available and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if your diet isn't nutritionally complete.

The World Parrot Trust is working hard to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots and their habitats. However, their populations are decreasing due to illegal trade. 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!