Caring For baby african grey parrot , just like toddlers, can get bored easily and need mental stimulation to prevent behavioral problems. Without it, they may become destructive or start screaming.
Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics among all parrot species and can recognize human speech. They are at risk from the pet trade and habitat loss.
Feeding
The dietary requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. While they are omnivores in the wild, they are more attracted to seeds over vegetables and fruits.
In captivity In captivity, they are more likely than not to consume fruits and seeds. It is also essential to monitor the quality and quantity of their food intakes since they are susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to make up 75% of a parrot's daily diet.
Ideal diets should consist of a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Some of the best choices are kale, spinach, silverbeets, pak choi broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Also native plants and spurgeoning grasses such as dandelion leaves sweetcorn and endive are good choices. Avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower, because they contain high levels of oxalic acid, which may hinder calcium absorption in the body.
Nuts are rich in nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation due to their high fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals.
The rest of your diet should be made up of a mix of vegetables and fruits. It's best to avoid avocado since it can be toxic to the psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include alcohol, chocolate, raw potatoes and coffee. If a parrot is consuming too many fruits, they could develop yeast-related problems in the 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 introduce new food in small amounts. Weighing the bird every day will enable you to swiftly observe any changes and then correct them. Regularly offering the bird water is an excellent idea too. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. Unfinished food in the cage or in the play area may be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird.
Training
Parrots are easily taught to speak. However, it could take them days or even weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot that has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's brain active and keep them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These problems require the intervention of a professional.
It is essential to avoid over-bonding because a parrot that is too attached to one can become territorial and agressive toward others. This can be very dangerous for children, elderly people or those suffering from allergies. To prevent this from happening, all 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 a family and reduce the chance that it will develop a protective behavior.
When a bird is bonded with a single person, it will peck and bite at family members or guests trying to touch or pet it. To avoid this the entire family should take turns rubbing the bird and putting it in its cage. If a bird exhibits aggression and is threatening to harm another bird, it should be placed back in its cage and not handled for a while.
During pet-loving sessions be aware of the areas that are referred to as "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers contain a blood supply and may bleed when they are touched. If a pinfeather or blood feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather.
In addition to petting, family members should be taught to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. The bird should also be taught to label toys or food. This will help the bird to learn to speak, and it will also enable it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present.
Health
While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots around the world, it is bored and resort to destructive behavior when it is not provided with enough toys or other methods to exercise its mind. It also requires a large amount of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, feather picking and excessive screaming. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to acquire The initial costs are expensive and they require a constant supply of toys that can be destroyed quickly, as well as food. They also are susceptible to infections and can be expensive to treat.
These highly social birds need lots of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime that includes games, puzzles and lessons. To stay healthy and strong they should spend hours each day exercising and out of their cage. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It must be safe, clean and constructed from non-toxic materials. It should include several perches with different heights and textures so that birds can change between them. They also require a roost, usually a tall wooden post or an elevated concrete perch in the corner of the cage.
Parrots must have access to water that is fresh at all times and it is recommended to replenish it every day. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and vegetables and should limit their treats to 10 percent of their diet. You should also provide various nuts and seeds. High-quality formulated pellets or crumble should constitute approximately 75% of a diet.
The majority of parrot-related diseases are caused by long-term diet imbalances. Small irregularities can manifest as slow growth and development, poor quality plumage or breeding performance, while more marked changes will manifest as distinct diseases. Many of these issues can be avoided through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian, and correct diet management.
Care
As with all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it can become depressed and exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. To keep your pet healthy, it is important to have regular veterinary examinations, fecal testing and vaccinations.
African greys are monogamous and form exclusive pair bonds which incubate eggs for up to 30 days and caring for the young until they are about 10 weeks old. They can fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They live for a long time and often outlive their owners, making them a popular pet worldwide.
They are extremely adaptive and can adapt to different environments. However they prefer a natural habitat with lots 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 short beaks feature a mandible that is curved and fits neatly over the lower to assist in breaking open seeds and nuts, and their powerful grip can rip through wood and bark.
In the wild, African grays will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, nuts and seeds as part of a balanced diet. However, seeds should make up no more than 5% of the total diet and should be supplemented by high-quality, formulated pellets or crumbles that prevent pickiness. Additionally it is recommended to provide a variety fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked lentils and beans. Fresh water should always be available, and cages must be cleaned every day. If the diet isn't adequate, supplements like calcium or vitamin D may be required.
The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, but their populations are in decline due to illegal trade and captive breeding. Fortunately, they are protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also receive the highest level protection under CITES. Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!