Caring For an African Grey Parrot<br /><br />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 become destructive or start screaming.<br /><br />They are highly intelligent and can imitate human speech. They are at risk from the trade in pet animals and habitat loss.<br /><br />Feeding<br /><br />The diet requirements of African greys are a little different from other large psittacine species. They are omnivores however, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.<br /><br />In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to eat fruits and seeds. It is also crucial to observe the quality and quantity of their diets as they are susceptible to excess weight and calcium deficiency. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to make up 75% of a parrot's daily diet.<br /><br />Ideal diets should consist of pellets as well as freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh food. Some of the best options are spinach, kale, silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, and broccoli. Native plants and spouting grasses like dandelion greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage, as they contain high levels of oxalic acids which may hinder calcium absorption in the body.<br /><br />Nuts are a great source of nutrients however they should be eaten in moderation because of their high fat content. They are a source of protein, healthy fats and some minerals and vitamins.<br /><br />The rest of the diet should consist of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is poisonous to Psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they could suffer from yeast-related issues in their digestive tract.<br /><br />A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight, and introduce new foods in small quantities. Doing a daily weigh-in will allow you to observe any changes and then correct them. Offering the bird regularly water is also a good idea. This will help prevent dehydration and bacteria-related infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area could ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird.<br /><br />Training<br /><br />Parrots can easily learn how to speak. However, it might take them days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained well can also do simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's brain active and prevent them from becoming bored. <a href="https://charmingafricangreyparrotforsale.com/">gizmo the grey parrot</a> can lead to unwelcome behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.<br /><br />It is essential to avoid over-bonding, as a parrot who becomes too attached to a person may become territorial and aggressive towards other animals. This could be dangerous for children as well as the elderly or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening everyone in the household should spend some time each day playing with and engaging with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more at ease being touched by members of the family and reduce the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior.<br /><br />A parrot that is attached to a single person will usually start biting and pecking visitors or family members when they attempt to pet or touch it. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that each family member take turns rubbing the bird before putting it in its cage. If a bird is showing aggression, it should be returned to its cage for a period of time and not handled until it calms down.<br /><br />During pet-loving sessions, be aware of areas that are referred to as "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers have a blood supply and may bleed when they are they are brushed against. If a blood or pinfeather feather is exposed, it should be removed immediately and replaced with a fresh feather.<br /><br />Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught how to identify food items or toys. This will allow you to teach the bird to speak and will also enable it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them.<br /><br />Health<br /><br />While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it can get bored quickly and resort to destructive behavior if not given enough toys or other ways to stimulate its mind. It also requires a large deal of mental stimulation to prevent self-mutilation excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to have as the initial costs are costly and they need constant new toys that are destroyed quickly, as well as food. They can also be prone to infections, which can be expensive to treat.<br /><br />These birds are extremely social and require lots of interaction with humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. To stay healthy and strong they should spend hours each day exercising and out of their cage. Their cage should be big enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be constructed of non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should have a variety of perches, with different sizes and textures to allow birds to change between them. A roost is also required, which is usually an iron or wood perch at the corner of the cage.<br /><br />Parrots should have access to fresh water throughout the day and should be replaced regularly. They should be offered various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and treats should be limited to not more than 10% of the diet. It is also recommended to provide various nuts and seeds. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should comprise approximately 75% of the food.<br /><br />Most disease problems in parrots are the result of long-term diet imbalances. Minor problems will manifest as slow growth and development, bad quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more significant changes will manifest as distinct disease entities. Many of these are preventable with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management.<br /><br />You can also read about how to care for yourself.<br /><br />African greys need mental stimulation and plenty of attention to be content. If a parrot is bored it can become depressed and exhibit negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather picking. To ensure that your pet is healthy it is vital to regularly undergo veterinary exams including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.<br /><br />African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They care for their babies until they reach approximately 10 weeks old. They are able to fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They can live a long time and often outlive their owners, which makes them a popular pet worldwide.<br /><br />They are highly adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However they prefer a natural setting with lots of trees and perches. They can even utilize their feet - two facing back and two facing front on each foot - to help balance and perch, much as humans do with their hands. Their short beaks feature an upper mandible with a curvature that can be easily positioned over the lower one to help them crack open nuts and seeds, and their strong grip could tear through bark and wood.<br /><br /><br /><br />In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits seeds and nuts as a part of an optimum diet. However, seeds should make only five percent of the total diet and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that prevent pickiness. Also they should be served with various fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water should be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be required if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.<br /><br />The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, but their populations are in decline due to illegal trade and captive breeding. They are, however, protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also receive the highest protection under CITES. Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!<br /><br />