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Caring For an African Grey Parrot Like toddlers, African grey parrots can get bored quickly and need plenty of stimulation to avoid problems with their behavior. They could be destructive or cry if they don't receive enough stimulation. They are extremely intelligent and can mimic 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 but prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables. In captivity In captivity, they are more likely than not to eat seeds and fruit. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity therefore it is crucial for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles should make up 75% of a bird's diet, and it is recommended that they are sourced from quality brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm. Ideally your diet should include pellets as well as fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. The best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeet, pak choi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Also, native plants and sprouting grasses like dandelion leaves, endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower as they are rich in oxalic acid. This could hinder the absorption of calcium in the body. Nuts are a rich source of nutrients to the diet, but should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in proteins, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals. The rest of your diet should be the combination of fruits and veggies. It's best to avoid avocado because it is toxic to psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. If bird african grey for sale of fruits, they could develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract. A balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight and to introduce new foods in small amounts. Doing a daily weigh-in will allow you to identify any changes and rectify them. Offering the bird regularly water is also a good idea. This will stop dehydration and bacterial infection. Food that is not consumed in the cage or in the play area can be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird. Training Parrots are extremely intelligent and can easily learn to speak, although they may take days or even weeks to repeat words they hear. A parrot that has been trained well can also do simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep a bird's brain engaged and keep them from becoming bored. The effects of boredom can be detrimental to behavior like feather-picking or destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention. It is essential to avoid over-bonding, as a parrot that is too attached to a person may become territorial and aggressive toward others. This can be dangerous for children as well as the elderly or people with allergies. To avoid this, everyone in the family must spend time each day playing with the bird and playing with it in various ways. This will allow the bird to feel more comfortable being touched by all members of a family and reduce the chance that it will develop over protective behavior. When a parrot is bonded to a single person it will peck and bite at family members or guests who attempt to handle or pet it. To prevent this from happening, family members should each take turns in petting the bird or placing it into its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggression, it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it calms down. During pet-loving sessions, be aware of areas that are referred to as “blood feathers” or “pinfeathers.” These feathers contain a blood supply and may bleeding when touched. If a blood feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather. Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be taught to teach the bird to identify objects, such as food or toys. This will allow the bird to learn to speak and will also allow it to communicate with family members without having to be physically present. Health The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the smartest animals in the world. However, it is prone to get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or ways to exercise their mind. It also requires a deal of mental stimulation to prevent self-mutilation excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots aren't cheap pets to own The initial costs are expensive and they need constant new toys that are destroyed quickly, and food. They are also susceptible to infections, which can be expensive to treat. These highly social birds require plenty of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime with games and puzzles as well as lessons. They also require hours of exercise and free time every day to build strength and remain healthy. The cage should be big enough for them to move around freely and spread their wings. It should be made of non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should come with a variety of types of perches with varying dimensions and heights in order to change them. They also need a roost, usually a wooden post that is tall or an elevated concrete perch in the corner of the cage. The parrots should have clean water and this should be changed daily. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits, with treats limited to not more than 10% of the diet. Also, you should offer various seeds and nuts. About 75% of their food should consist of high-quality crumbles or pellets. The majority of parrot health problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor problems will manifest as slow growth and development, poor quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more severe changes can manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these issues can be avoided through regular check-ups by an avian veterinarian and appropriate diet management. You can also learn how to take care of yourself. Like any other bird, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation in order to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it may display negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or even feather picking. To ensure that your pet is healthy it is essential to have regular veterinary examinations including fecal testing, vaccinations and feces. African greys form monogamous couples and incubate eggs for 21-30 days. They take care of their young until they are approximately 10 weeks old. They can fly and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They have long lives and can often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets around the world. They are highly adaptable and will adjust well to many different environments, but they prefer a natural habitat with plenty of trees and perches to explore. They can also use their feet – two facing back and two facing front on each foot – to help perch and balance, just like humans use their hands. Their short beaks have a curved upper mandible that fits neatly over the lower to assist in breaking open nuts and seeds, and their strong grip can cut through bark and wood. In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as part of healthy diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid the possibility of picking. They should also be provided with various fresh vegetables, fruits as well as cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage maintenance is essential every day. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if the diet is not 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 protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States and receive the most protection under CITES (International Trade in Species Controlled). Discover more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!