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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. Without it, they may become destructive or even start screaming. Highly intelligent, they are arguably the most accurate mimics of all species of parrots and recognize human speech. The pet trade and habitat destruction are the main threats to them. Feeding The dietary needs of African greys are slightly different from other large psittacine species. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they prefer seeds over vegetables and fruits. In captivity, they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy greens than seeds. They also are prone to obesity and calcium deficiencies therefore it is crucial for owners to keep an eye on the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to comprise 75% or a parrot's daily diet. Ideal diets should consist of pellets as well as freshly prepared meals. A good ratio would be 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. The best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeet, pak choi, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Sprouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, okra and okra can also be beneficial. But, stay clear of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are rich in oxalic acids, which can hinder the absorption of calcium by the body. Nuts are a great source of nutrients however they should be eaten in moderation due to their fat content. They are rich in protein as well as healthy fats, and a few vitamins and minerals. The rest of your diet should be made up of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is harmful to psittacines. Other toxic foods that are commonly consumed include alcohol, chocolate, coffee and raw potatoes. If a parrot consumes too many fruits, they could develop yeast issues in the gastrointestinal tract. A balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight, and introduce new food in small quantities. It is recommended to weigh the bird daily to ensure that any changes can be observed and quickly corrected. It is also a good idea to provide the bird with fresh water on a regular basis. This will stop the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. It is also important to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area since it can spoil and cause health issues for your pet. Training Parrots are highly intelligent and can easily learn to speak, though it may require days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A well-trained parrot will also respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind active and stop them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional. It is essential to avoid over-bonding because a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and agressive toward others. This can be dangerous for children, the elderly or those who suffer from allergies. To avoid this, everyone in the household should spend time each day playing with the bird and playing with it in various ways. This will make the bird more comfortable with being touched by members of the family and decrease the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behaviour. A parrot that is attached to one person will typically start biting and pecking visitors or family members when they attempt to pet or touch it. To prevent this from happening family members should take turns rubbing 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 while. Be aware of “pinfeathers” or “blood feathers” during petting sessions. These feathers contain a blood supply and may bleeding when touched. If a blood or pinfeather feather is found to be exposed, it must be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather. Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should also be taught to label toys or food. This will allow the bird to learn to speak, and it will also enable it to communicate with other family members without needing to be physically present. Health The African grey parrot is one of most intelligent in the world. However, it is prone to get bored and resort to destructive behavior if it is not provided with enough toys or methods to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation in order to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screaming. Parrots can be costly pets to own. The initial costs are expensive, and they require constant new toys that get destroyed quickly. They are also susceptible to infections and can be costly to treat. These birds are extremely social and require lots of interaction with humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. They also require hours of exercise and free time every day to build up strength and stay healthy. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be constructed from nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should be equipped with various perches with different heights and styles to allow birds to move between them. A roost is likewise required typically made of concrete or a wooden perch that is placed at the corner of the cage. Parrots should have access to clean water at all times, and it is recommended to replenish it every day. They should be provided with a variety of dark leafy greens, vegetables and fruits and treats should be limited to no more than about 10% of the diet. Also, you should provide different nuts and seeds. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should make up about 75% of a diet. Most disease problems in parrots are caused by long-term diet imbalances. Small irregularities can be manifested as poor growth, bad plumage quality or breeding performance. More significant changes may be a sign of specific disease-related entities. Many of these issues can be prevented with regular well-checks from an avian vet and the proper management of diet. Care As with all birds, African greys require lots of focus and stimulation to be happy. If african grey parrot care is bored, it can exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. To ensure your pet's health, it is important to regularly undergo veterinary exams, fecal testing and vaccinations. African greys form monogamous couples and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They take care of their young until they are about 10 weeks old. They can fly, and are considered to be one of the most intelligent avian species. They have long lives and often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets worldwide. They are extremely adaptable and can easily adjust to a variety of environments, but they prefer a natural setting with lots of trees and perches to explore. They are able to use their feet – two facing back and two facing forward on each foot – to help balance and perch, much as humans use their hands. Their short beaks feature a mandible that is curved and can be easily positioned over the lower one to aid in cracking open seeds and nuts and their strong grip can rip through wood and bark. In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% of the diet and should be supplemented by high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent excessive pickiness. Additionally they should be served with various fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked lentils and beans. Water that is fresh and clean should always be available, and cages must be cleaned regularly. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium could be necessary if your diet is not nutritionally balanced. The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, but their populations are declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. 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). Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot encyclopedia!