Caring For an African Grey Parrot<br /><br />Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can get bored quickly and need lots of mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They could be destructive or even scream if they don't get enough mental stimulation.<br /><br />They are extremely intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. The pet trade and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them.<br /><br />Feeding<br /><br />The dietary requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. They are omnivores but prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables.<br /><br />In captivity In captivity, they are more likely than not to consume seeds and fruit. They also are prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity 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 bird's diet, and it is recommended that they are sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.<br /><br />Ideal diets should include a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh food. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeet, pak choi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Also, native plants and sprouting grasses like dandelion leaves, sweetcorn and endive are both beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and cabbage as they are rich in oxalic acid. This can hinder the absorption of calcium into the body.<br /><br />Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to your diet, but should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals.<br /><br />The rest of your diet should comprise a mixture of fruits and veggies. Avocado is toxic to psittacines. Other food items that are toxic include alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. If a parrot consumes excessive amounts of fruits, they could develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract.<br /><br />A well-balanced diet is an excellent way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is important to watch the bird's weight and to provide new food items in small amounts. It is a good idea to weigh the bird on a daily basis so that any changes could be observed and quickly corrected. Giving the bird water regularly is an excellent idea too. <a href="https://charmingafricangreyparrotforsale.com/">charmingafricangreyparrotforsale.com</a> will help prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. Unfinished food in the cage or play area could ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird.<br /><br />Training<br /><br />Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it could take them days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot that is trained well can also do simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and keep them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These problems require the intervention of a professional.<br /><br />It's important to avoid bonding too strongly, as a parrot that becomes too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive towards others. This could be extremely dangerous for elderly people, children or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all members of the household should spend time every day with the parrot in various ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable with being touched by everyone in a family and reduce the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behavior.<br /><br />If a parrot is in a relationship to a single person, it may bite and peck at family members or guests who try to pet or handle it. To avoid this family members should take turns in petting the bird or placing it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it calms down.<br /><br />During the petting sessions, be aware of areas that are thought to be "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply and can bleed when they are they are brushed against. If a pinfeather or blood feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather.<br /><br />In addition to petting, family members should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. 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 />The African grey parrot is considered to be one of most intelligent in the world. However, it is prone to get bored and turn to destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their minds. It also requires a large amount of mental stimulation to prevent self-mutilation excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots can be costly pets to own. The initial costs are expensive, and they require a constant supply of toys that get destroyed quickly. They can also be susceptible to infections, which could be costly to treat.<br /><br />These social birds require lots of interaction with humans, which includes hours of playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. To stay strong and healthy, they need to be active for hours every day and escaping their cage. The cage should be big enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed of non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should include several perches with different heights and textures to allow birds to change between them. They also need the roost, which is usually an elevated wooden post or a concrete perch in the corner of the cage.<br /><br />Parrots must have access to water that is fresh throughout the day and must be replenished daily. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens and vegetables and should limit their treats to 10 percent of their diet. They should be provided with a wide range of seeds and nuts as well. Around 75% of their diet should consist of high-quality pellets or crumbles.<br /><br />The majority of parrot-related problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, bad plumage quality or breeding performance. More marked changes will manifest themselves as specific disease-related entities. Many of these issues can be prevented by regular checks from an avian vet, and proper diet management.<br /><br />Care<br /><br />Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be happy. If a parrot is bored, it could display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or even feather picking. To ensure your pet's health it is essential to regularly undergo veterinary exams including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces.<br /><br /><br /><br />African greys are monogamous and form dedicated pair bonds which incubate eggs for up to 30 days and caring for the babies until they reach 10 weeks old. They can fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They have long lifespans and can often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets worldwide.<br /><br />They are highly adaptable and can easily adjust to a variety of environments, but they prefer a natural setting with lots of perches and trees to explore. They can also utilize their feet with two faces facing back and two facing front on each foot - to help perch and balance, just like humans use their hands. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible that fits over the lower. This makes it easier for them to crack open nuts, seeds and wood.<br /><br />In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. However, seeds should only make up no more than 5percent of the total diet and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that reduce the emergence of pickiness. Also they should be served with a variety fresh vegetables, fruits as well as cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water should be available and cage maintenance is essential on a regular basis. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium may be required if the diet isn't nutritionally complete.<br /><br />The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, however, their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. 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). Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot encyclopedia!<br /><br />