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Caring For an African Grey Parrot Like toddlers, African grey parrots can become bored quickly and require plenty of stimulation to avoid problems with their behavior. If they don't get enough stimulation, they could be destructive or start screaming. Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics among all species of parrots. They can understand human speech. They are at risk from the trade in pets and habitat loss. Feeding The diet requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. They are omnivorous, but they prefer seeds over fruit and other vegetables. In captivity In captivity, they are more likely than not to eat fruits and seeds. They are also susceptible to obesity and calcium deficiencies which is why it is essential for pet owners to check the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to make up 75% of a bird's daily diet. Ideal diets should include pellets as well as freshly prepared food items. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seeds and 30% fresh food. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale silverbeet, pak choi, sweetcorn, carrots, broccoli and more. Sprouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. However, avoid cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and cabbage as they are high in oxalic acids, which can hinder the absorption of calcium into the body. Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to the diet, but they should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They provide protein as well as healthy fats, and a few minerals and vitamins. The rest of your diet should consist of a mixture of vegetables and fruits. It is best to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to Psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, coffee, chocolate and raw potatoes. Similarly, 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 content and healthy. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight and to introduce new foods in small quantities. The bird's weight is measured every day. This will allow you to quickly observe any changes and then correct them. Regularly offering the bird water is an excellent idea too. This will prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. Food that is not eaten in the cage or in the play area can ruin the food and cause health issues for your bird. Training Parrots are able to quickly learn to speak. However, it may take them 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 signals. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and keep them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These problems require the intervention of a professional. It is crucial to stop the signs of bonding early in the event that a parrot becomes totally attached to a single member of the family, it may become territorial and threatening to others. Find Out More can be very risky for children, elderly people or those suffering from allergies. To prevent this from happening, all members of the household should spend time every day playing with and engaging with the parrot in different ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being touched by members of the family and lessen the possibility that it could develop an overprotective 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 touch 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 displays aggressive behavior, it should be put back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes. Be aware of “pinfeathers” or “blood feathers” during pet-loving sessions. These feathers have a blood supply and may bleed when touched. If a blood or pinfeather feather is exposed, it should be removed immediately and replaced with a new 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 help train the bird to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them. Health While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can become bored quickly and use destructive behaviors in the absence of toys or other methods to stimulate its mind. It also needs a great deal of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picking and excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap to have – the initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys that are destroyed quickly, and food. They are also susceptible to infections, which could be costly to treat. These social birds require a lot of interaction humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. To stay healthy and strong they must be active for hours every day and being outside of their cage. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It must be safe, clean and made from nontoxic materials. It should have many different kinds of perches, with different heights and textures, so that they can switch between them. A roost is also needed, which is usually made of concrete or a wooden perch that is placed at the corner of the cage. The parrots should have clean water available and it should be changed every day. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and should be restricted to not more than 10% of their diet. You should also provide various nuts and seeds. High-quality, formulated pellets or granules should make up around 75% of the food. The majority of the problems with parrots are the result of a long-term diet imbalances. Minor irregularities will show up as poor growth and development, low quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more significant changes can manifest as specific disease entities. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular checks with an avian veterinarian and proper diet management. You can also read about how to care for yourself. Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be content. If a bird is bored, it could display negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. It is important to have routine veterinary exams as well as fecal screening and vaccinations done to ensure that your pet stays healthy. African greys form monogamous pairs and incubate eggs for between 21 and 30 days. They care for their babies until they reach around 10 weeks old. They can fly and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They have long lives and often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets around the world. They are highly adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However they prefer a natural setting 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 beaks are short and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This allows them to break open seeds, nuts and wood. In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as part of an optimum diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% of the total and be supplemented with high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent the possibility of picking. Additionally it is recommended to provide a variety fresh vegetables, fruits, and cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water should always be available, and cage cleaning is essential on a regular basis. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be required if the diet isn't nutritionally complete. The World Parrot Trust is working to protect Grey and Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their numbers are decreasing due to illegal trade. Fortunately, 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 african grey parrot baby for sale about these incredible parrots in our parrot dictionary!