10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden That Will Aid You In Obtaining Caring For An Grey Parrot
Caring For an African Grey Parrot
Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can be 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 among all parrot species and can recognize human speech. The trade in pets and destruction of habitats are the primary threats to them.
Feeding
The diet requirements of African greys differ from other large psittacines. They are omnivores however, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.
In captivity, they are more likely than not to eat seeds and fruit. It is also crucial to monitor the quality and quantity of their diets since they are at risk of obesity and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles should comprise 75% of a parrot's diet and it is recommended that they be sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.
Ideally, the diet should contain pellets as well as fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. The best choices are spinach, kale silverbeets, pak choi broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Also, native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaves sweetcorn and endive are good choices. However, avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower as they are high in oxalic acid. This can block the absorption of calcium by the body.
Nuts provide a lot of nutrients however they should be eaten in moderation because of their high fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should be a mixture of fruits and veggies. It is best to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to the psittacines. Other common toxic foods include alcohol, chocolate, raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot is consuming too many fruits, they could develop yeast issues in the gastrointestinal tract.
A well-balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is important to monitor the bird's weight, and introduce new food in small quantities. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will allow you to quickly detect any changes and correct them. It's also a great idea to give the bird fresh water regularly. This will prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. Unfinished food in the cage or play area may be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, though it may take days or even 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 keep them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These problems require the intervention of a professional.
It is important to stop bonding in the bud as if a bird becomes a devoted member of the family, it can become territorial and aggressive to other people. This could be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those who suffer from allergies. To avoid congo african grey parrot , everyone in the family should spend time each day playing with the parrot and interacting with it in different ways. This will allow the bird become more comfortable when touched by everyone in family members and reduce the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior.
When a bird is bonded to a single person it will peck and bite at family members or guests who attempt to touch or pet it. To prevent this from happening, family members should each take turns petting the bird or putting it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggression, it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it calms down.
Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply and may be bleed if they are touched. If a bloody feather pinfeather is exposed, it must be removed immediately and replaced by an entirely new one.
In addition to petting, family members should be taught to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. The bird should be taught how to identify food items or 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 one of the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can become bored easily and will resort to destructive behavior if not given enough toys or other ways to stimulate its mind. It also needs a great deal of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, feather-picking and loud screams. Parrots can be costly pets to have. The initial costs are high, and they require a constant supply of toys which are destroyed quickly. They can also be susceptible to infections, which could be expensive to treat.
These highly social birds require lots 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 every day to build up strength and stay healthy. Their cage must be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be clean, safe and made of non-toxic materials. It should include various perches with different sizes and textures to allow birds to change between them. They also require an roost, typically a wooden post that is tall or an elevated concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
Parrots must have access to water that is fresh throughout the day and should be replaced daily. They should be fed various dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and treats should be limited to no more than about 10% of their diet. It is also recommended to provide various seeds and nuts. High-quality formulated pellets or crumble should make up about 75% of the diet.
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 marked changes will manifest as distinct diseases. Many of these can be prevented through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian, and correct 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 to be happy. If a bird is bored, it may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather grabbing. To keep your pet healthy it is vital to get routine veterinary examinations, fecal testing and vaccinations.
alex the african grey parrot and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They take care of their children until they reach approximately 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They have long lifespans and often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets around the world.
They are highly adaptive and can adapt to many different environments. However, they prefer a natural setting with plenty 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, just like humans do. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This allows them to crack open nuts, seeds and wood.
In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. However, seeds should make only five percent of the total diet. They should be supplemented by high-quality, formulated pellets or crumbles that prevent pickiness. Also they should be served with a variety fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage cleaning is essential every day. Supplements such as calcium and vitamin D may be necessary if your diet is not nutritionally balanced.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, but their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. They are, however, protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also receive the highest level of protection under CITES. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!