The 10 Scariest Things About Caring For An Grey Parrot
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Like toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They can be destructive or shout if they don't get enough stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics of all species of parrots and recognize human speech. They are threatened by the trade in pet animals and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary needs of African greys are different from other large psittacine species. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds to fruit and vegetables.
In captivity they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. It is also important to check the quality and quantity of their diets since they are at risk of overweight and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to comprise 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should include a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale silverbeet, pakchoi, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaves sweetcorn and endive are both beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and cabbage as they are high in oxalic acid. This can block the absorption of calcium into the body.
Nuts provide a lot of nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation due to 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 mix of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is poisonous to the psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include alcohol, chocolate, coffee and raw potatoes. In the same way, if a parrot eats too many berries they could suffer from yeast problems in their 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 foods in small quantities. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will allow you to observe any changes and then correct them. Offering the bird regularly water is an excellent idea too. This will prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or in the play area may spoil and cause health problems for your bird.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, though it might take days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot that is trained properly can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep a bird's mind active and stop them from becoming bored. The effects of boredom can be detrimental to behavior like feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding because a parrot who becomes too attached to one can become territorial and agressive towards others. This can be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those who suffer from allergies. To prevent this from happening, everyone in a household should spend time each day playing with the parrot and interacting with it in different ways. This will allow the bird become more comfortable with being touched by all members of the family and decrease the possibility that it could develop over protective behavior.
A parrot that is attached to one person is likely to begin pecking and biting at other family members or visitors when they attempt to pet it or even touch it. To prevent this from happening family members should take turns rubbing the bird or putting it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggression, it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it is calmed down.
During the petting sessions Be aware of areas that are referred to as "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply and may bleeding when touched. If a bloody feather or pinfeather is exposed, it must be removed immediately and replaced with a new one.
Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught to identify food items or toys. This will allow the bird to learn to speak and will allow it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present.
Health
While the talking african grey parrot for sale grey is one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it can get bored and engage in destructive behavior if not given enough toys or other opportunities to exercise its brain. It also needs a great amount of mental stimulation in order to avoid self mutilation, feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots aren't cheap pets to own - the initial costs are expensive and they require a constant supply of toys that are destroyed quickly, as well as food. They also are susceptible to infections and can be costly to treat.
These social birds require lots of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime involving games and puzzles as well as lessons. To remain strong and healthy, they need to spend hours each day exercising and being outside of their cage. The cage should be big enough to allow them to move around freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed of nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have various perches with different heights and styles so that birds can switch between them. A roost is likewise required and is typically a wooden post or concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have fresh water available and it should be changed every day. They should be provided with an assortment of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and treats should be limited to not more than 10% of their diet. They should be served an array of seeds and nuts as well. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should comprise approximately 75% of the diet.
The majority of parrot-related issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Small irregularities can manifest as poor growth and development, low quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more marked changes can manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these can be prevented by regular checks with an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be happy. If a bird is bored, it will become depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. To ensure that your pet is healthy, it is important to regularly undergo veterinary exams including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.
African greys form monogamous groups and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They take care of their children until they reach approximately 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They have long lifespans and are often able to outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets around the world.
They are extremely adaptable and can be adapted to different environments However, they prefer a natural habitat with lots of perches and trees to explore. They can use their feet to balance and perch - with two facing back on each foot, and two facing forward on each foot, just as humans do. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This allows them to crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat nuts, fruits seeds, dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make only five percent of the diet total and should be supplemented by high-quality, formulated pellets or crumbles that avoid the emergence of pickiness. They should also be provided with various fresh fruits, vegetables as well as cooked legumes and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may 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 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 parrot dictionary!