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Caring For an African Grey Parrot Similar to toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. They could be destructive or shout if they don't get enough mental stimulation. They are extremely intelligent and are able to mimic human speech. They face threats from the trade in pet animals and habitat loss. Feeding The diet requirements of African greys are different from the other psittacine species. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they prefer seeds to fruit and vegetables. In captivity they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy greens than seeds. They are also prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity therefore it is crucial for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to make up 75% of a bird's daily diet. Ideal diets should include a mixture of pellets and freshly prepared meals. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, spinach, and kale are some of the best options. Also, native plants and sprouting grasses like dandelion leaves, sweetcorn and endive are good choices. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are high in oxalic acid, which could hinder the absorption of calcium into the body. Nuts are rich in nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation due to their fat content. They provide protein, healthy fats and some vitamins and minerals. The rest of your diet should be made up of a mixture of vegetables and fruits. Avocado is toxic to the psittacines. Other common toxic food includes chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. In the same way, if a parrot eats too many berries they may suffer from yeast-related issues in their digestive tract. A 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 provide new food items in small quantities. Doing a daily weigh-in will allow you to quickly detect any changes and correct them. It's also a good idea to offer the bird fresh water regularly. This will prevent dehydration and bacterial infections. Food that is not consumed in the cage or in the play area can ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird. Training Parrots can easily learn how to speak. However, it might take them days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot that is trained properly can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep the bird's brain stimulated and keep them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviours like feather-picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention. It's important to avoid bonding too strongly because a parrot that is too attached to one can become territorial and aggressive toward others. This could be harmful for children and the elderly, as well as those with allergies. To prevent this from happening, everyone in the household should spend time each day playing with the bird and playing with it in a variety of ways. This will help the bird become more comfortable with being touched by all members of family members and reduce the likelihood that it will develop over protective behavior. If a parrot is in a relationship with a single person, it may bite and scratch at other family members or guests who try to pet or handle it. To avoid this the entire family should be able to alternate petting the bird before placing it in its cage. If a bird is showing aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it has calmed down. During the petting sessions, be aware of areas that are considered “blood feathers” or “pinfeathers.” These feathers are a source of blood supply and can bleed when brushed against. If a pinfeather or blood feather is found to be exposed, it must be removed immediately and replaced with a fresh feather. In addition to petting, members of the family should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. They should also be instructed to teach the bird how to identify objects, such as food or toys. This will make it easier to train the bird to speak, and will also enable it to communicate with family members without being physically close to them. Health The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, it can become bored and engage in destructive behaviors if they are not provided with enough toys or ways to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screams. Parrots aren't cheap to own – the initial costs are expensive and they require constant new toys that can be destroyed quickly, and food. They also are susceptible to infections, and are expensive to treat. These highly social birds require a lot of interaction with humans, including hours spent playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. To stay healthy and strong, they need to be active for hours every day and out of their cage. The cage should be large enough to allow them to move freely and spread their wings. It should be made of non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should have various perches with different heights and styles to allow birds to switch between them. They also need the roost, which is usually an elevated wooden post or an elevated concrete perch in the corner of the cage. Parrots should have access to clean water throughout the day and should be replaced regularly. They should be provided with an assortment of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and treats should be limited to a maximum of 10% of the diet. They should be provided with a wide range of nuts and seeds as well. High-quality formulated pellets or crumble should make up about 75% of the food. Most disease problems in parrots are the result of a long-term food inconsistencies. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, bad plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More significant changes may appear as distinct diseases. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular check-ups from an avian vet and proper diet management. Care As with all birds, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be happy. If baby african grey parrot becomes bored, it will become depressed and show negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather grabbing. It is essential to conduct regular veterinary exams including fecal screening, vaccinations and feces carried out to ensure your pet is healthy. African greys are monogamous. They form dedicated pair bonds which incubate eggs for up to 30 days, and caring for the babies until they are about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are one of the most intelligent avian species. They live for a long time and are often able to outlive their owners, which makes them a beloved pet in the world. They are extremely adaptable and can be adapted to many different environments However, they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches to explore. They can also use their feet with two faces facing back and two facing forward on each foot – to help balance and perch, much as humans do with their hands. Their beaks are short and have a mandible that is curved and is a perfect fit over the lower to help them crack open seeds and nuts and their strong grip could tear through bark and wood. In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, nuts and seeds as part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% of the diet and should be supplemented with high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent excessive pickiness. They should also be served with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned daily. If the diet is not adequate, supplements like vitamin D or calcium may be required. The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh Parrots and their habitats. However, their populations are declining due to illegal trade. 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 amazing birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!