The 10 Scariest Things About Caring For An Grey Parrot
From Shiapedia
caring for an grey parrot, zoid.Printdirect.ru, For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, african grey parrots for adoption grey parrots can become bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. They could be destructive or even scream if they don't get enough stimulation.
Highly intelligent, they are arguably the best mimics of all species of parrots. They can recognize human speech. The trade in pet animals and habitat destruction are the main threats to them.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. Although they are omnivores in the wild, they prefer seeds over vegetables and fruits.
In captivity, they are more likely than not to consume fruits and seeds. They also are prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies so it is important for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to make up 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should include a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh foods. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are some of the best options. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaves sweetcorn and endive are good choices. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower, because they contain high levels of oxalic acids which hinder calcium absorption by the body.
Nuts are a rich source of nutrients to your diet, but they should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They provide protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should consist of the combination of fruits and veggies. Avocado is poisonous to Psittacines. Other common toxic food includes chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. In the same way, if a parrot eats too many berries they can suffer from yeast problems in their gastrointestinal tract.
A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is important to monitor the bird's weight, and introduce new food in small quantities. It is a good idea to weigh the bird on a daily basis so that any changes could be spotted and swiftly be rectified. It is also a good idea to offer the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will stop the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. It is also essential to remove any food that is not eaten from the cage or play area because it will spoil and could lead to health problems for your pet.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, though it may take days or even weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot that is trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's mind engaged and keep them from becoming bored. Boredom can lead to unwelcome behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding as a pet who becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive towards other animals. This could be extremely dangerous for elderly people, children or people with allergies. To avoid this everyone in the household should spend some time every day with the parrot in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being handled by members of the family and lessen the chance that it will develop an overprotective behaviour.
If a parrot is in a relationship to a single person it may bite and scratch at other family members or guests who attempt to handle or pet it. To avoid this, each family member should take turns rubbing the bird and putting it in its cage. If a parrot displays aggression, it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes.
During the petting sessions be aware of the areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers have a blood supply and may bleed when they are brushed against. If a blood feather or pinfeather is exposed, it must be clipped immediately and replaced with a new one.
In addition to a petting session, family members should be taught to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. The bird should be taught how to identify food items and toys. This will make it easier for the bird to learn to speak, and will allow it to communicate with family members without needing to be physically present.
Health
While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots in the world, it is bored easily and will use destructive behaviors in the absence of toys or other methods to exercise its mind. It also needs a great deal of mental stimulation to prevent self-mutilation feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots are expensive pets to own. The initial costs are high, and they need constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. They are also susceptible to infections and are expensive to treat.
These social birds require plenty of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime involving games or puzzles, as well as lessons. They also require a lot of exercise and time out of cage every day to build strength and remain healthy. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should include several perches with different sizes and textures so that the birds can switch between them. They also require a roost, usually a wooden post that is tall or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have clean water available and this should be changed daily. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and vegetables and should limit their treats to 10% of their diet. You should also offer different seeds and nuts. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should constitute approximately 75% of the food.
The majority of parrot health issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor issues can result in poor growth, bad plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More severe changes could be a sign of specific disease-related entities. Many of these are preventable through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it will become depressed and show negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. It is important to have regular veterinary exams including fecal screening, vaccinations and feces carried out to ensure your pet stays healthy.
african grey parrot eggs for sale greys form monogamous pairs and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They take care of their young until they are approximately 10 weeks old. They can fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They live for a long time, and often outlive their owners, which makes them a beloved pet in the world.
They are highly adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches. They can use their feet to balance and perch - with two faces back on each foot and two facing forward on each foot, exactly like humans do. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This makes it easier for them to break open seeds, nuts and wood.
In the wild, african greys for adoption greys will eat nuts, fruits seeds, dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid pickiness. Also, they should be offered an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables as well as cooked beans and lentils. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cages must be cleaned daily. Supplements such as calcium and vitamin D may be required if the diet is not nutritionally balanced.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, however, their populations are in decline 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!
