The 10 Most Scariest Things About Caring For An Grey Parrot

caring for an grey Parrot For an African Grey Parrot

Like toddlers, African grey parrots can get bored quickly and need lots of mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. If they aren't stimulated, they could be destructive or start screaming.

Highly intelligent, they are arguably the most accurate mimics of all parrot species and can understand human speech. The trade in pets 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 omnivorous, but prefer seeds over fruit and other vegetables.

In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to eat fruits and seeds. They are also prone 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 constitute 75% of a parrot's diet and it is recommended that they be sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.

Ideally your diet should include pellets as well as fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh food. Silverbeet, spinach, and kale are among the top options. The spouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra can also be beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower because they contain high levels of oxalic acids, which can prevent calcium absorption by the body.

Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to your diet, but they 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 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 common toxic food includes chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. If a parrot consumes too many fruits, they may develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

A well-balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is important to watch the bird's weight, and to offer new foods in small quantities. It is a good idea to weigh the bird on a daily basis to ensure that any changes can be easily observed and rectified. Regularly offering the bird water is an excellent idea too. This will prevent dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not consumed in the cage or play area could spoil and cause health problems for your bird.

Training

Parrots can easily learn how to speak. However, it might take them a few days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot that is well-trained can respond to cues and perform simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. The effects of boredom can be detrimental to behavior like feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require the intervention of a professional.

It's important to avoid bonding too strongly, as a parrot that is too attached to a person may become territorial and aggressive towards other animals. This can be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those who suffer from allergies. To avoid this it is recommended that all members of the household should spend some time every day playing and interacting with the bird in different ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being touched by everyone in family members and reduce the chance that it will develop a protective behavior.

When a parrot is bonded to a single person it may bite and peck at other family members or guests who attempt to handle or pet it. To prevent this from happening family members should take turns in petting the bird or putting it in its cage. If a bird exhibits aggression, it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a period of time.

Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply, and could bleeding when they are touched. If a bloody feather pinfeather becomes exposed, it must be clipped immediately and replaced by a new one.

In addition to petting, members of the family should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. The bird should also be taught to label toys or food. This will help train the bird to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members without being physically close to them.

Health

While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can get bored and engage in destructive behavior when it is not provided with enough toys or other methods to stimulate its mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap pets to own as the initial costs are high and they need constant new toys that will be destroyed quickly, as well as food. They can also be prone to infections that can be expensive to treat.

These highly social birds require lots of interaction with humans, including hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. They also require hours of exercise and time out of cage every day to build strength and remain healthy. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be clean, safe and made of non-toxic materials. It should include a variety of kinds of perches, with different dimensions and heights in order to change between them. A roost is also needed, which is usually a wooden post or concrete perch in the corner of the cage.

The parrots should have clean water and this should be refilled daily. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and treats should be limited to not more than 10% of their diet. They should be served an array of nuts and seeds, as well. About 75% of their diet should consist of high-quality pellets or crumbles.

Most disease problems in parrots are caused by long-term food inconsistencies. Minor problems will manifest as slow growth and development, low quality plumage or breeding performance, while more marked changes will manifest as specific diseases. Many of these can be prevented by regular checks from buying an african grey parrot avian vet and proper diet management.

Care

Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be happy. If a parrot is bored it can become depressed and show negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation and feather-picking. It is crucial to conduct regular veterinary exams as well as fecal screening and vaccinations done to ensure that your pet is healthy.

African greys form monogamous groups and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They tend to their young until they are about 10 weeks old. They can fly and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They have long lives and often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets across the world.

They are extremely adaptable and can be adapted to different environments However, they prefer a natural setting with lots of perches and trees to explore. They are able to use their feet that are facing backwards and two facing forward on each foot - to aid in to balance and perch, just as humans use their hands. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This allows them to break open seeds, nuts and wood.

In the wild, Gizmo newborn african grey parrot grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, seeds and nuts as a part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% of the total and be supplemented with high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent pickiness. Also they should be served with various fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water should always be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. Supplements such as calcium and vitamin D may be required if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.

The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & timneh african grey parrot Parrots and their habitats. However, their numbers are declining due to illegal trade. Luckily, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States and receive the most protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Find out more about these incredible birds in our jako parrot for sale dictionary!