The 10 Scariest Things About Caring For An Grey Parrot
From Shiapedia
caring for an grey parrot (visit the following page) For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. If they aren't stimulated, they could become destructive or start screaming.
They are extremely intelligent and can imitate human speech. They face threats from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys are slightly different from the other large psittacine species. They are omnivores but they prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables.
In captivity they are more likely to eat fruits and leafy greens rather than seeds. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity so it is important for owners to keep buying an african grey parrot eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to comprise 75% or a parrot's daily diet.
Ideally the diet should comprise a mix of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are among the top options. Sprouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower since they are high in levels of oxalic acids, which may hinder calcium absorption by the body.
Nuts are rich in nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation because of their high fat content. They are high in proteins, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals.
The rest of the diet should be made up of a mix of vegetables and fruits. It's best to avoid avocado since it can be toxic to psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. Similar to parrots, if a bird consumes too many berries, they could suffer from yeast-related issues in their gastrointestinal tract.
A well-balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is important to monitor the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small amounts. It is recommended to weigh the bird every day so that any changes could be easily observed and be rectified. Giving the bird water regularly is an excellent idea too. This will stop dehydration and bacterial infections. It is also important to remove any food that is not eaten from the cage or play area as it will spoil and can lead to health problems for your pet.
Training
Parrots are very intelligent creatures and are able to speak, though it might take days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A highly-trained parrot can also respond to signals and perform simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's mind 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 the intervention of a professional.
It is crucial to stop the signs of bonding early, because if a parrot becomes totally attached to a single member of a family, it may become territorial and aggressive to others. This can be very risky for children, elderly people or those suffering from allergies. To avoid this everyone in the household should spend time each day playing with and engaging with the parrot in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being touched by members of the family and reduce the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behaviour.
When a parrot is bonded with a single person, it may bite and peck at family members or guests trying to pet or handle it. To avoid this family members should take turns rubbing the bird or placing it into its cage. If a bird exhibits aggressive behavior, 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 may be bleed if touched. If a bloody feather pinfeather is found to be exposed and bleeds, it should be removed immediately and replaced by an entirely new one.
Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be instructed to teach the bird how to label items, such as toys or food items. This will help teach the bird to speak and will also allow it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically near them.
Health
The African grey parrot is one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it could become bored and engage in 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 avoid self mutilation, feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to acquire as the initial costs are high and they require constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, as well as food. They are also prone to infections, and are costly to treat.
These highly social birds require a lot of interaction humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. To stay healthy and strong, they need to spend hours each day exercising and out of their cage. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It must be safe, clean and made from nontoxic materials. It should be equipped with several perches with different heights and styles so that the birds can change between them. They also need a roost, usually an elevated wooden post or an elevated concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
The parrots must always have clean water and this should be changed daily. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, with treats limited to no more than about 10% of their diet. They should be provided with various nuts and seeds, as well. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should make up approximately 75% of a diet.
The majority of parrot health problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor issues can result in poor growth, poor plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will manifest themselves as specific disease-related entities. Many of these are preventable by regular checks with an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
Like any other bird, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be happy. If a parrot is bored it will become depressed and exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation, or feather-picking. To ensure your pet's health it is essential to regularly undergo veterinary exams as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.
african greys for adoption greys are monogamous and form a dedicated pair bond which incubate eggs for up to 30 days, and caring for the young until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They have long lifespans and are often able to outlive their human owners, making them popular pets across the world.
They are extremely adaptable and will adjust well to a variety of 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 forward on each foot - to help balance and perch, much like humans use their hands. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This makes it easier for them to break open seeds, nuts and wood.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits nuts and seeds as part of healthy diet. However, seeds should make less than five percent of the diet total and should be supplemented with high-quality formulated pellets or crumbles that prevent the emergence of pickiness. Additionally it is recommended to provide a variety fresh vegetables, fruits as well as cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water should be available and cage cleaning is essential every day. If the diet is not adequate, supplements like calcium or vitamin D may be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, however, their populations are 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 level of protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot dictionary!
