caring for an grey parrot - Sokrat Ural post to a company blog, For an African Grey Parrot

Like toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to avoid problems with their behavior. 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 understand human speech. They are threatened by the pet trade and habitat loss.

Feeding

The diet requirements of African greys are a little different from other large psittacine species. They are omnivores, but they prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables.

In captivity they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. It is also important to monitor the quality and quantity of their diets as 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 be purchased from reputable brands such as Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.

Ideal diets should consist of pellets, seeds and freshly prepared meals. A good proportion is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30 percent fresh foods. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale silverbeet, pakchoi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Native plants and spouting grasses like dandelion greens, okra and okra can also be beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower, as they contain high levels of oxalic acids, which can prevent calcium absorption in the body.

Nuts provide a lot of nutrients however, they should be consumed in moderation due to their high fat content. They provide protein as well as healthy fats, and a few vitamins and minerals.

The rest of the diet should be made up of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. It's best to avoid avocado because it is toxic to psittacines. Other common toxic food includes chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. Similarly, if a parrot eats too many berries they could suffer from yeast problems in their gastrointestinal tract.

A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight and to introduce new foods in small amounts. The bird african grey for sale's weight is measured every day. This will enable you to swiftly identify any changes and rectify them. It's also a great idea to provide the bird with fresh water regularly. This will prevent 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 can lead to health problems for your pet.

Training

Parrots can easily learn how to speak. However, it could take them a few days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot who has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and stop them from getting bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require the intervention of a professional.

It is crucial to stop bonding in the bud as if a bird african grey for sale becomes a devoted member of the family, it could become territorial and threatening to other members of the family. This could be dangerous for children as well as the elderly or people with allergies. To prevent this from happening, everyone in a household should spend time every day playing with the parrot and engaging with it in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being loved by the family and lessen the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behavior.

When a parrot is bonded to a single person it may bite and peck at other family members or guests who attempt to handle or pet it. To avoid this it is recommended that each family member take turns petting the bird and putting it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggression, it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it has calmed down.

Be aware of "pinfeathers" or "blood feathers" during pet-loving sessions. These feathers have a blood supply, and can cause bleeding when they are brushed against. If a bloody feather pinfeather becomes exposed and bleeds, it should be clipped immediately and replaced with an entirely new one.

Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught how to label toys or food. This will allow you to train the bird to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically near them.

Health

While the african grey for sale $200 grey is one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it can become bored quickly and engage in destructive behavior in the absence of toys or other ways to stimulate its mind. It also requires lots of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screams. Parrots aren't cheap pets to have as the initial costs are costly and they need constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, plus food. 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 and puzzles as well as lessons. They also require a lot of exercise and free time every day to build strength and stay healthy. Their cage should be big 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 include several perches with different heights and styles to allow birds to switch between them. A roost is also required typically an iron or wood perch in the corner of the cage.

The parrots should always have fresh water available and this should be refilled daily. They should be provided with an assortment of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, with treats limited to a maximum of 10% of the diet. You should also offer various seeds and nuts. About 75% of their diet should be made up of high-quality crumbles or pellets.

The majority of parrot disease issues are caused by a long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor issues can result in poor growth, bad plumage quality or breeding performance. More marked changes will be a sign of specific diseases. Many of these can be prevented by regular checks with an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.

Care

African greys require mental stimulation and plenty of attention to be happy. If a parrot is bored, it can exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. To ensure that your pet is healthy, it is important to have regular veterinary examinations as well as fecal tests and vaccinations.

African greys form monogamous pairs and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They take care of their babies until they reach about 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They have long lives and often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets across the world.

They are extremely adaptable and will adjust well to different environments However, they prefer a natural setting 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, just as humans do. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible that fits over the lower. This helps them crack open nuts, seeds and wood.

In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, seeds and nuts as part of healthy diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% and be supplemented by high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent the possibility of picking. Also, they should be offered a variety fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water should always be available, and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally complete.

The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots and 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 protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!