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Caring For an African Grey Parrot 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. Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics of all parrot species and can recognize human speech. They face threats from the pet trade and habitat loss. Feeding The diet requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. While they are omnivores in the wild, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables. In captivity In captivity, they are more likely than not to eat seeds and fruit. They are also prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity which is why it is essential for pet owners to check the quality of their diets. Gizmo newborn african grey parrot or complete crumbles are recommended to comprise 75% of a parrot's daily diet. Ideal diets should consist of pellets as well as freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. The best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeet, pak choi, sweetcorn, carrots, and broccoli. Native plants and spouting grasses like dandelion greens, endive and okra can also be beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower, since they are high in levels of oxalic acids which hinder calcium absorption in the body. Nuts are rich in nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation due to their fat content. They are a source of protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals. The rest of your diet should consist of an assortment of vegetables and fruits. It's best to avoid avocado because it is toxic to Psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and coffee and raw potatoes. If a parrot eats excessive amounts of fruits, they may develop yeast issues in the gastrointestinal tract. A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight and introduce new food in small amounts. Doing a daily weigh-in will enable you to swiftly detect any changes and correct them. Regularly offering the bird water is also a good idea. This will help prevent dehydration and infections caused by bacteria. It is also important to take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area since it can spoil and cause health issues for your parrot. Training Parrots can easily learn how to speak. However, it could take them days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot that is well-trained can respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's brain stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors like feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional. It's crucial to prevent over-bonding as a pet who becomes too attached to one can become territorial and aggressive toward others. This can be very dangerous for elderly people, children or those suffering from allergies. To prevent this from happening, everyone in the household must spend time each day playing with the bird and playing with it in various ways. This will allow the bird to become more comfortable when touched by all members of family members and reduce the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior. When a parrot is bonded to a single person, it may bite and scratch at other family members or guests who try to handle or pet it. To avoid this, family members should each take turns rubbing the bird or placing it in its cage. If a parrot displays aggression then it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes. Be aware of “pinfeathers” or “blood feathers” during petting sessions. These feathers have a blood supply, and can bleeding when touched. If a blood feather is found to be exposed, it must be immediately clipped and replaced with a new feather. In addition to petting, family members should be taught to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. The bird should be taught how to label toys or food. This will help the bird to learn to speak, and will also 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 when it is not provided with enough toys or other opportunities to exercise its brain. It also needs a great amount of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots can be expensive pets to have. The initial costs are expensive, and they need constant new toys that are quickly destroyed. They are also susceptible to infections, which could be costly to treat. parrot for sale african grey are extremely social and require a lot of interaction with humans, including hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. They also need hours of exercise and time out of cage each day to build strength and stay healthy. The cage should be big enough for them to move freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed of non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have a variety of perches, with different heights and styles so that the birds can switch between them. A roost is also needed, which is usually a wooden post or concrete perch at the corner of the cage. The parrots must always have clean water available and it should be changed every day. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and should be restricted to not more than 10% of their diet. They should be offered an array of nuts and seeds as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should constitute around 75% of the food. The majority of parrot disease problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor irregularities will show up as poor growth and development, low quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more severe changes will manifest as distinct diseases. A lot of these can be avoided by regular check-ups from an avian vet, and proper diet management. You can also read about how to take care of yourself. As with all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be content. If a parrot is bored it will become depressed and exhibit negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. It is crucial to conduct routine veterinary exams as well as fecal screening and vaccinations carried out to ensure your pet stays healthy. African greys are monogamous. They form dedicated pair bonds, incubating eggs for 21 to 30 days and caring for the young until they reach 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 beloved pet in the world. They are extremely adaptable and can be adapted to a variety of environments However, they prefer a natural habitat with lots of trees and perches 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 short beaks feature a curved upper mandible that fits neatly over the lower one to assist in breaking open seeds and nuts, and their powerful grip can cut through bark and wood. In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits seeds and nuts as a part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% and be supplemented by high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent the possibility of picking. Also it is recommended to provide an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked lentils and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. If the diet isn't adequate, supplements like vitamin D or calcium may be required. The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, but their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, 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!