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Caring For an African Grey Parrot Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. Without it, they may become destructive or even start screaming. Highly intelligent, they are the most accurate mimics of all species of parrots. They can comprehend human speech. They are at risk from the trade in pet animals and habitat loss. Feeding The dietary requirements of African greys are a little different from other large psittacine species. They are omnivorous, however, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables. In site , they are more likely than not to eat seeds and fruit. It is also important to check the quality and quantity of their diets since they are at risk of excess weight and calcium deficiency. Pellets or complete crumbles should constitute 75% of a parrot's diet and it is recommended that they are sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm. Ideal diets should consist of pellets, seeds and freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are among the best choices. The spouting grasses and native plants such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage as they are high in oxalic acids, which can block the absorption of calcium into the body. Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to the diet, but should be fed sparingly because of their fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals. The rest of your diet should consist of a mixture of fruits and veggies. It is best to stay clear of avocado because it is toxic to Psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, chocolate, coffee and raw potatoes. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they may be suffering from yeast issues in their digestive tract. A balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight and to introduce new foods in small amounts. It is beneficial to weigh the bird on a daily basis so that any changes could be easily observed and corrected. Giving the bird water regularly is also a good idea. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area could ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird. Training Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it may take them a few days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot that is trained properly can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's brain active and prevent them from becoming bored. Boredom can lead to unwelcome behaviours like feather-picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional. It's crucial to prevent over-bonding as a pet that becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive toward others. This can be very risky for people with disabilities, children or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that all members of the household should spend time each day playing with and engaging with the bird in different ways. This will allow the bird to feel more comfortable being loved by all members of the family and decrease the possibility that it could develop a protective behavior. When a bird is bonded to a single person, it will peck and bite at other family members or guests trying to touch or pet it. To avoid this the entire family should take turns petting the bird before placing it in its cage. If a bird exhibits aggression then it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes. During the petting sessions Be aware of areas that are considered “blood feathers” or “pinfeathers.” These feathers contain a blood supply and can bleed if brushed against. If a bloody feather or pinfeather is exposed and bleeds, it should be clipped immediately and replaced with another one. Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be taught to teach the bird how to identify items, like food or toys. This will allow the bird to learn to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with other family members without needing to be physically present. Health The African grey parrot is one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, it can get bored and resort to destructive behavior if it is not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap pets to have The initial costs are expensive and they need constant new toys that will be destroyed quickly, and food. They are also susceptible to infections, which can be costly to treat. These highly social birds need lots of interaction with human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime involving games or puzzles, as well as lessons. To remain strong and healthy they should exercise for hours a day and escaping their cage. Their cage must be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It should be made of non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should have a variety of perches, with different heights and styles so that birds can switch between them. They also require the roost, which is usually an elevated wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage. Parrots need access to water that is fresh throughout the day and must be replenished every day. They should be offered various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, with treats limited to not more than 10% of their diet. You should also provide a variety of seeds and nuts. Around 75% of their food should consist of high-quality pellets or granules. The majority of parrot health problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor problems will manifest as slow growth and development, low quality plumage or breeding performance while more significant changes can manifest as specific diseases. Many of these are preventable through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management. You can also learn how to take care of yourself. Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be happy. If a bird is bored, it will become depressed and show negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. It is important to have 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 that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days, and caring for the infants until they reach 10 weeks of age. They can fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent species of avian. They have long lives and can often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets around the world. They are extremely adaptable and can be adapted to a variety of environments, but they prefer a natural environment with plenty of trees and perches to explore. They can use their feet to balance and perch – with two faces back on each foot and two facing forward on each foot, exactly as humans do. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This allows them to break open seeds, nuts and wood. In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits seeds and nuts as a part of healthy diet. But, seeds should make only 5% of the diet total and should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that avoid pickinginess. They should also be offered a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked legumes and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. Supplements like calcium and vitamin D may be required if the diet isn't nutritionally complete. The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their numbers are declining due to illegal trade. They are, however, protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest level protection under CITES. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot encyclopedia!