The 10 Scariest Things About Caring For An Grey Parrot

caring for an grey parrot (http://the-Playbarn.co.uk) For an African Grey Parrot

African grey parrots, like toddlers, can become bored easily and require mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They could be destructive or shout if they don't get enough stimulation.

They are highly intelligent and can mimic human speech. The trade in pet animals and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them.

Feeding

The dietary needs of african grey parrots for adoption greys are slightly different from other large psittacine species. They are omnivores, however, they prefer seeds over fruits and other vegetables.

In captivity they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy greens than seeds. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity therefore it is crucial for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should make up 75% of a parrot's diet and it is recommended that they are purchased from reputable brands such as Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.

Ideal diets should consist of pellets, seeds and freshly prepared foods. A good proportion is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh foods. Silverbeet, spinach, and kale are among the best choices. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaves endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower, since they are high in levels of oxalic acid, which hinder calcium absorption in the body.

Nuts are a great source of nutrients however, they should be consumed in moderation due to their high fat content. They provide protein, healthy fats and some minerals and vitamins.

The rest of the diet should be made up of a mix of fruits and vegetables. It is best to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to the psittacines. Other food items that are toxic include chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they can suffer from yeast-related issues in their digestive tract.

A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot healthy and happy. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight and to offer new foods in small quantities. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will allow you to quickly observe any changes and then correct them. It is also a good idea to offer the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will help prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. It is also important to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area as it will spoil and could lead to health problems for your parrot.

Training

Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it may take them days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot that has been trained well can also do simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's brain active and keep 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 because a parrot that is too attached to one can become territorial and agressive towards others. This could be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those with allergies. To avoid this it is recommended that all members of the household should spend some time each day with the parrot in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being handled by members of the family and decrease the chance that it will develop an overprotective behaviour.

A bird that is tied to a single person will usually start biting and pecking at visitors or family members when they attempt to pet it or even touch it. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that each family member take turns rubbing the bird and putting it in its cage. If a bird is showing aggression, it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it is calmed down.

Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers have a blood supply and may be bleed if they are touched. If a bloody feather or pinfeather is exposed, it must be clipped immediately and replaced with another one.

Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be taught to teach the bird how to label items, such as food or toys. This will make it easier for the bird to learn to speak and will allow it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present.

Health

While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it can become bored quickly and resort to destructive behavior in the absence of toys or other ways to exercise its mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap to own - the initial costs are high and they require constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, plus food. They are also susceptible to infections, which can be expensive to treat.

These social birds require lots of interaction with human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime that includes games and puzzles as well as lessons. To remain strong and healthy, they need to exercise for hours a day and out of their cage. Their cage must be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It should be constructed from nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have a variety of perches, with different heights and textures to allow birds to move between them. They also require an roost, typically a wooden post that is tall or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.

The parrots should have clean water and this should be refilled daily. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy vegetables and dark greens, with treats being limited to 10 percent of their diet. They should be provided with an array of seeds and nuts as well. Around 75% of their diet should consist of high-quality pellets or granules.

The majority of parrot disease issues are caused by buy a grey parrot long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor irregularities will show up as slow growth and development, poor quality plumage or breeding performance, while more severe changes will manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular checks with an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management.

Care

buy african grey greys require mental stimulation and lots of attention to be happy. If a parrot is bored, it may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather grabbing. It is important to have regular veterinary exams including fecal screening, vaccinations and feces performed to ensure that your pet is healthy.

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

They are highly adaptable and can easily adjust to many different environments, but they prefer a natural setting with plenty 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, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible that fits over the lower. This helps them break open seeds, nuts and wood.

In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as part of healthy diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% of the diet and should be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid pickiness. They should also be served with various fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should be available, and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. If the diet isn't adequate, supplements like calcium or vitamin D may be required.

The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their populations are 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 level of protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Find out more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!