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Caring For an African Grey Parrot Like toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. They could be destructive or even scream if they don't get enough mental stimulation. Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics of all species of parrots and comprehend human speech. They are at risk from the pet trade and habitat loss. Feeding The dietary requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. They are omnivores, however, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables. In captivity In captivity, they are more likely than not to eat fruits and seeds. It is also important to observe the quality and quantity of their food intakes since they are susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles should make up 75% of a parrot's diet, and it is recommended that they are procured from top brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm. Ideal diets should include a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared meals. A good ratio would be 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeets, pak choi broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Sprouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acid. This could hinder the absorption of calcium by the body. Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to a diet, but should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in proteins, healthy fats as well as vitamins and minerals. The rest of your diet should be made up of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is poisonous to psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include chocolate, alcohol and coffee and raw potatoes. If a parrot is consuming too many fruits, they could develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract. A balanced diet is the best way to keep your African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is important to watch the bird's weight, and to offer new foods in small amounts. Doing a daily weigh-in will allow you to identify any changes and rectify them. It's also a great idea to offer the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will help to avoid dehydration and infections caused by bacteria. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area could ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird. Training Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it may take them days or even weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A well-trained parrot will also respond to cues and perform simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's mind active and stop them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require the intervention of a professional. It's important to avoid bonding too strongly because a parrot who becomes too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive towards other animals. This can be very dangerous for people with disabilities, children or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time each day with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being touched by members of the family and lessen the chance that it will develop an overprotective behaviour. When a parrot is bonded to a single person, it may bite and scratch at family members or guests who try to handle or pet it. To avoid this it is recommended that each family member take turns rubbing the bird before placing it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggressive behavior it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it has calmed down. Be aware of “pinfeathers” or “blood feathers” during petting sessions. These feathers have a blood supply and may bleed if brushed against. If a blood feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a new feather. In addition to petting, family members should be taught to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. They should also be instructed to teach the bird to label items, such as toys or food items. This will make it easier for the bird to develop the ability to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members without needing to be physically present. Health The African grey parrot is considered to be one of most intelligent in the world. However, it is prone to get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screams. Parrots can be expensive pets to own. The initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys that get destroyed quickly. They can also be prone to infections that can be expensive to treat. These birds are extremely social and require a lot of interaction with humans, which includes hours of playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. To remain strong and healthy they should be active for hours every day and escaping 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 made of non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have a variety of perches, with different sizes and textures to allow birds to switch between them. gizmo the grey parrot is also required and is typically made of concrete or a wooden perch that is placed at the corner of the cage. Parrots must have access to water that is fresh throughout the day and is recommended to replenish it every day. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and treats should be limited to no more than about 10% of their diet. They should be provided with an array of nuts and seeds, as well. Around 75% of their diet should consist of high-quality crumbles or pellets. The majority of the problems with parrots are the result of long-term diet imbalances. Minor irregularities will show up as slow growth and development, poor quality plumage or breeding performance while more significant changes will manifest as distinct disease entities. casco parrot for sale of these can be prevented through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management. You can also read about how to care for yourself. Like any other bird, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be content. If a parrot is bored it will become depressed and show negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation and feather-picking. To ensure that your pet is healthy, it is important to have regular veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations. African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for 21-30 days. They care for their young until they are around 10 weeks old. They can fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They can live a long time and are often able to outlive their owners, making them a popular pet worldwide. They are highly adaptable and can be adapted to many different environments however, they prefer a natural habitat with lots of trees and perches to explore. They are able to use their feet – two facing back and two facing front on each foot – to aid in perch and balance, just like humans use their hands. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This makes it easier for them to crack open nuts, seeds and wood. In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, seeds and nuts as a part of healthy diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to prevent the possibility of picking. They should also be offered a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked legumes and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cages must be cleaned every day. Supplements like calcium and vitamin D may be necessary if your diet is not nutritionally complete. The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, but their population is 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 protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!