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Caring For an African Grey Parrot Like toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. If they don't get enough stimulation, they could become destructive or start screaming. Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics of all parrot species and can recognize human speech. The pet trade and habitat destruction are the main threats to them. Feeding The diet requirements of African greys are a little different from other large psittacine species. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds to fruit and vegetables. In captivity, they are more likely than not to consume fruits and seeds. They are also susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies which is why it is essential for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to make up 75% of a bird's daily diet. Ideal diets should consist of a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best options are kale, spinach, silverbeets, pak choi sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaves sweetcorn and endive are both beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower since they are high in levels of oxalic acids which can prevent calcium absorption in the body. Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to your diet, but should be fed sparingly because of their fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. The rest of your diet should be made up of a mix of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is harmful to the psittacines. Other food items that are toxic include chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. In the same way, if a parrot consumes too many berries, they can be suffering from yeast issues in their gastrointestinal tract. A well-balanced diet is an excellent way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small quantities. It is beneficial to weigh the bird daily to ensure that any changes can be spotted and swiftly rectified. Giving the bird water regularly is an excellent idea too. This will prevent dehydration and infections caused by bacteria. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area may be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird. Training Parrots are very intelligent creatures and are able to easily learn to speak, however it might take days or weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot who has been trained well can also do simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and prevent 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. It is crucial to stop bonding in the bud, because if a parrot becomes completely attached to one member of the family, it could become territorial and aggressive towards others. This can be dangerous for children as well as the elderly or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all members of the household should spend time each day with the parrot in various ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being handled by members of the family and reduce the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behaviour. A parrot that is bonded 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 family members should take turns petting the bird or putting it in its cage. If a parrot displays aggressive behavior then it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes. Be aware of “pinfeathers” or “blood feathers” during pet-loving sessions. These feathers are a source of blood supply, and can be bleed if touched. If a pinfeather or blood feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather. In addition to petting, family members should be taught to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. They should also be taught to teach the bird to identify items, like toys or food items. This will make it easier for the bird to learn to speak, and it will also enable it to communicate with other family members without having to be physically present. Health The African grey parrot is one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it is prone to become bored and engage in destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screams. Parrots are expensive pets to have. The initial costs are expensive, and they require a constant supply of toys that get destroyed quickly. They can also be susceptible 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. They also need hours of exercise and free time each day to build strength and stay healthy. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move around freely and spread their wings. It must be clean, safe and made of non-toxic materials. It should include several perches with different sizes and textures so that birds can move between them. A roost is also required typically made of concrete or a wooden perch at the corner of the cage. The parrots must always have clean water available and this should be changed daily. They should be offered various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and treats should be limited to a maximum of 10% of their diet. You should also provide a variety of nuts and seeds. Around 75% of their diet should consist of high-quality crumbles or pellets. Most disease problems in parrots are caused by long-term food inconsistencies. Minor irregularities will show up as slow growth and development, low quality plumage or breeding performance, while more marked changes can manifest as specific diseases. Many of these can be prevented by regular checks with an avian veterinarian and proper diet management. Care African greys need mental stimulation and plenty of attention to be happy. If a parrot is bored, it can display negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. To keep your pet healthy it is essential to get routine veterinary examinations, fecal testing and vaccinations. African greys are monogamous. They form dedicated pair bonds that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days and caring for the young until they fledge at about 10 weeks old. They can fly, and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They can live 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 a variety of environments however, they prefer a natural setting with lots of perches and trees to explore. They can also utilize their feet that are facing backwards and two facing front on each foot – to help perch and balance, just as humans do with their hands. Their beaks are short and have a curved upper mandible that can be easily positioned over the lower to assist in breaking open nuts and seeds, and their strong grip could tear through bark and wood. In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% of the diet and should be supplemented by high-quality crumbles or pellets to prevent excessive pickiness. Also they should be served with various fresh vegetables, fruits as well as cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium could be required if the diet isn't nutritionally complete. The World Parrot Trust is working hard to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots and their habitats. However, their numbers are decreasing due to illegal trade. Luckily, african grey birds for sale are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States and receive the most protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot dictionary!