5 Laws That Anyone Working In Caring For An Grey Parrot Should Be Aware Of

Caring For an African Grey Parrot African grey parrots, much like toddlers, can become bored quickly and require mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They could be destructive or even shout if they don't get enough stimulation. They are highly intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. The trade in pets and habitat destruction are the main threats to them. Feeding The dietary requirements of African greys differ from 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 seeds and fruit. It is also essential to observe the quality and quantity of their diets as they are prone to overweight and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to make up 75% of a parrot's daily diet. Ideally, the diet should contain a mix of pellets and fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. The best choices are spinach, kale silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaf, sweetcorn and endive are good choices. However, avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower as they are rich in oxalic acids, which could hinder the absorption of calcium in the body. Nuts provide a lot of nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation due to their fat content. They provide protein, healthy fats and some minerals and vitamins. The rest of your diet should comprise 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 consumes too many berries, they can suffer from yeast problems in their gastrointestinal tract. A well-balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight and to introduce new foods in small amounts. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will allow you to quickly detect any changes and correct them. Giving the bird water regularly is also a good idea. This will stop the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. It is also essential to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area because it will spoil and can cause health issues for your pet. Training Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to speak, although they may take days or even weeks to repeat back words they hear. A parrot that is well-trained can respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. The effects of boredom can be detrimental to behavior like feather-picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional. It is essential to avoid over-bonding, as a parrot who becomes too attached to one can become territorial and agressive towards other animals. This can be dangerous for children as well as the elderly or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening, all in a household should spend time every day playing with the parrot and interacting with it in a variety of ways. This will allow the bird to feel more comfortable being touched by all members of family members and reduce the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior. A bird that is tied to a single person will usually start biting and pecking at visitors or family members when they attempt to pet or touch it. To avoid this, each family member should take turns rubbing the bird before placing it in its cage. If a parrot displays aggression, it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a while. Be aware of “pinfeathers” or “blood feathers” during pet-loving sessions. These feathers have a blood supply, and could be bleed if they are touched. If a bloody feather pinfeather is exposed and bleeds, it should be removed immediately and replaced with another one. In addition to petting, members of the family should be taught to say hello and goodbye to the parrot. The bird should also be taught to label toys or food. This will help teach the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them. Health The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, it could get bored and resort to destructive behavior if it is not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screams. Parrots can be costly pets to own. congo african grey parrot are high, and they need constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. They can also be susceptible to infections, which could be costly to treat. These highly social birds need lots of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime with games, puzzles and lessons. They also need hours of exercise and free time every day to build 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 made of non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have various perches with different heights and textures so that the birds can switch between them. They also need an roost, typically a wooden post that is tall or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage. Parrots must have access to clean water at all times, and it must be replenished regularly. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and other vegetables and treats should be limited to 10% of their diet. You should also offer a variety of nuts and seeds. About 75% of their diet should be made up of high-quality pellets or crumbles. The majority of the problems with parrots are caused by long-term food inconsistencies. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, poor plumage quality, or poor breeding performance. More marked changes will appear as distinct disease entities. Many of these are preventable with regular well-checks by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management. Care Like any other bird, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it can display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or even feather picking. To ensure that your pet is healthy it is vital to regularly undergo veterinary exams including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces. African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They take care of their young until they are approximately 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They have long lives and are often able to outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets across the world. They are extremely 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 use their feet to balance and perch, with two faces back on each foot and two facing forward on each foot, just as humans do. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This helps them 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. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% of the diet and should be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to prevent excessive pickiness. They should also be offered an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and legumes. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium may be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally balanced. The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their population is declining 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 protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!