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Caring For an African Grey Parrot African grey parrots, much like toddlers, can become bored easily and need mental stimulation to avoid behavioral problems. They can be destructive or shout if they don't get enough stimulation. They are extremely intelligent and can imitate human speech. The pet trade and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them. Feeding The dietary 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 fruits and seeds. They are also susceptible to calcium deficiencies and obesity which is why it is essential for pet owners to check 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 procured from top brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm. Ideally, the diet should contain pellets as well as fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best choices are kale, spinach, silverbeet, pak choi, sweetcorn, carrots, and broccoli. Also native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaf, sweetcorn and endive are both beneficial. However, you should avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower because they are rich in oxalic acids, which could hinder the absorption of calcium in the body. Nuts are an excellent source of nutrients to a diet, but should be consumed sparingly due to their fat content. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and minerals and vitamins. The rest of the diet should consist of a mixture of fruits and vegetables. Avocado is poisonous to psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. In the same way, if a parrot eats too many berries they can be suffering from yeast issues in their gastrointestinal tract. A balanced diet is the best way to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight and introduce new foods in small amounts. Weighing the bird every day will allow you to quickly detect any changes and correct them. It's also a good idea to offer the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will prevent dehydration and infections caused by bacteria. It is also essential to take away any food items that are not consumed from the cage or play area as it will spoil and could lead to health problems for your pet. Training Parrots can easily learn how to speak. However, it could take them a few days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A well-trained parrot will also respond to signals and perform simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's brain active and stop them from becoming bored. In the event of boredom, it can lead to undesirable behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional. It's crucial to prevent over-bonding, as a parrot that becomes too attached to one may become territorial and aggressive towards others. This could be extremely dangerous for people with disabilities, children or those with allergies. To avoid this, everyone in a household should spend time each day playing with the parrot and engaging with it in various ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being handled by members of the family and decrease the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behaviour. When a parrot is bonded to a single person it will peck and bite at family members or guests who attempt 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 parrot displays aggressive behavior then 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 can be bleed if touched. If a blood feather or pinfeather is exposed and bleeds, it should be removed immediately and replaced with an entirely new one. Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be instructed to teach the bird to identify items, like food or toys. This will make it easier to train the bird to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members without being physically near them. Health While the African grey is among the most intelligent parrots around the world, it is bored quickly and engage in destructive behavior when it is not provided with enough toys or other ways to exercise its mind. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation and feather picks as well as excessive screaming. Parrots can be costly pets to own. The initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys which are destroyed quickly. They also are susceptible to infections, and are expensive to treat. blue african grey parrot require a lot of interaction with humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. They also require a lot of exercise and out-of-cage time every day to build strength and remain healthy. The cage should be large enough for them to move around freely and spread their wings. It should be constructed of non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should be equipped with several perches with different heights and textures to allow birds to change between them. They also require the roost, which is usually a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage. The parrots should always have clean water available and this should be changed daily. They should be fed a variety of dark leafy vegetables and dark greens and treats should be limited to 10% of their diet. Also, you should provide different seeds and nuts. High-quality formulated pellets or crumble should comprise about 75% of the food. The majority of parrot-related diseases are the result of long-term food inconsistencies. Minor irregularities will show up as slow growth and development, bad quality plumage or breeding performance while more severe changes will manifest as specific diseases. Many of these can be prevented by regular checks with an avian veterinarian and proper 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 is bored it will become depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. It is important to have regular veterinary examinations as well as fecal screening and vaccinations carried out to ensure your pet is healthy. African greys are monogamous. They form a dedicated pair bond which incubate eggs for up to 30 days and caring for the infants 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 can often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets worldwide. They are highly adaptable and can be adapted to a variety of environments however, they prefer a natural setting with plenty of perches and trees 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 beaks are short and have an upper mandible that fits over the lower. This makes it easier for them to break open seeds, nuts and wood. In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to avoid excessive pickiness. They should also be served with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, as well as cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage maintenance is required daily. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally balanced. The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh parrots as well as their habitats, however, their populations are declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. 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 incredible parrots in our parrot dictionary!