Should You Buy a Grey Parrot?
African grey parrots are intelligent birds that are capable of forming an enduring bond with their human companion. These birds are not recommended for pet owners who are new to the hobby as they require lots of attention and exercise to avoid health or behavioral issues.
In the wild African Greys live in groups of friends and work with one another to manage complicated daily tasks. If they are left alone, they can be destructive or even feather pluck.
Health
African grey parrots are known to live up to 80 years in captivity. They are among the world's smartest creatures. They are very social and can learn to speak a variety of words and phrases. They can be loud birds that require a lot of mental stimulation. This is why it's crucial to determine if you're able to cope with the level of noise from these birds before you purchase one.
If you do decide to buy an African grey, you need to make sure your lifestyle can accommodate their needs. For instance, if you work regular long hours and are away from home for a large portion of the day then you'll have to think carefully whether an African grey is right for you since it's highly unlikely they would be happy in a group setting and could end up becoming bored and destructive.
Take a look at whether you and your family members are able to cope with the noise level of an African gray. They are vocal birds that make many calls, whistles and loud screeches. This is a part of their instinctual nature and allows them to communicate with their flock members in the wild. If grey african parrot are experiencing boredom or sadness, they may end up screaming and biting.
If you can manage these sounds, and give your African grey plenty of human interaction, you will find that they are very loving and sweet. They're also a joy to have. They're also very loyal birds and will stay with you for the duration of their lives.
Sadly, the popularity of African grey parrots indicates that their numbers are decreasing in the wild due to over trapping for the pet trade and the loss of forests in a lot of their range. However, if you do decide on owning an African grey, then you must always purchase one from a reliable breeder who will be able to provide you with an Annex A Certificate (or Article 10 Certificate) which is required with any Annex A species when being offered for sale or sold.
Training
Parrots can be an excellent companion and can provide an extremely profund understanding. It will form a bond that will last a lifetime. They are smart and learn to whistle, mimic and speak. They can also learn to understand your voice and respond to specific inquiries and commands. This is a truly special and amazing relationship that can be both rewarding as well as frustrating.
Parrots need constant interaction and attention to remain happy and healthy. They love to play and learn new things and they will be extremely connected to you. They will begin to recognize your voice and will greet you with a chirp whenever you come home from school or work. They will also become attached to their favorite foods, toys and music.
Many people worry that their pet birds will become so enthralled with them that they'll be aggressive towards other family members or strangers. It is possible that this might occur, but you must train your parrot to accept everyone in the family from the very beginning. This will prevent the parrot becoming too attached to a single individual, and also help to train the bird to to interact with others.
The training should be started as early as you can to allow the bird time to understand the commands. If you begin training too late, your bird will have a difficult time learning to trust and become more nervous. It is best to begin by teaching your pet to remember by walking, and then start training it to perform simple tricks.
When training your parrot it is recommended to make use of positive reinforcement. You can reward your pet with a small treat after it has obeyed each command. This will entice the bird to follow the command, and it will encourage good behavior as well to punish bad behavior.
The African grey is a stunning bird with an amazing vocabulary and intelligence. This beautiful and playful animal will steal your heart, and be a part of your family for the rest of time. It is important to remember that the wild population of these birds is in danger due to demand for their beauty and ability. They are frequently taken from the wild by poachers and are also affected by the loss of forest.
Care
African grey parrots form an intense bond with humans and are highly intelligent. They can learn 1,000 words and speak sentences when taught correctly. They are believed to be one of the most intelligent birds in entire world. For thousands of years, they have been kept as pets birds. They are extremely sensitive to their handlers. In the wild they are a target for big cats and snakes. In many areas they also have to contend with destruction of their habitats.
The bird is a sought-after pet in Europe as well as the United States, and the Middle East because of its longevity and ability to mimic human speech. Their population is declining due to the over-tight trapping of these birds to be used in the pet industry and habitat destruction in Africa.
They require a high-quality pellet diet, and fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also crucial that they have access to clean and fresh water all the time. Some veterinarians suggest adding dietary supplements to your diet, however, they should be taken with care.
They require plenty of mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored. If they aren't stimulated enough stimulation, they could begin to behave in unintentional ways, such as self-mutilation or screaming. It is essential to talk to your avian vet before buying an African Grey.
These animals love to play, and they will enjoy toys, puzzles and games with their owners. Additionally, they will need to spend several hours in their cage each day, so an enclosure that is large or medium is essential to have the space they need.
In the ideal scenario, an African gray should be kept in a group with other birds. They aren't the ideal pets for children in the early years as they can be destructive and bite. They can also be territorial and will react violently when they feel that their territory is being threatened.
They can live up 80 years in captivity and are prone to being sensitive to changes in the environment. They might become jealous of a new addition in the family, or might be upset due to the arrival of a new girlfriend or spouse. If they're not content they might scream or chew their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural habitat African greys live in multi-family groups and display altruistic behaviours such as grooming and re-ingestion of food to feed other birds. The requirement for companionship in captivity can be met by social interaction using a variety of chewable toys and branches. It can be addressed with a stimulating diet, including pellets, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Pellets are an essential component of a parrot's diet and should comprise 75-80% of the total intake of food. These pellets are highly tasty and have a pleasant texture. They also add flavour to the diet of the parrot. You can also include nuts, seeds and vegetables. The diets for African grays are well-balanced and reduce the chance of deficiency in nutrition.
In the wild, African grays are natural foragers. They can travel for long distances to hunt for grubs or insects on tree bark or a variety of fruit. It is possible that they eat meat and animal proteins however I haven't observed my birds show any interest in. A small amount of cooked drumstick flesh would be acceptable but it is not recommended for young birds because it may cause gastric upsets.
The nutrient content of fresh foods fluctuates throughout the year and captive birds should be served a seasonal menu. This will allow parrots to take in the entire range and variety of the rainforest's wild counterparts without having to pay for out-of-season, specialist products.
Vegetables play an important role in a healthy parrot. A balanced diet should contain dark greens like cress, water-grass and kale. Kale, water-grass, as well as cress are all good choices. These are all high in levels of calcium, which is vital to a parrot's health. Deficiency in calcium can lead to seizures and feather plucking within certain species.
Fruits should be consumed in smaller amounts than vegetables since sugars can cause yeast infections (a common problem for parrots with compromised immune systems) and obesity. The nutrient content of fruits also differs from country to country and tropical varieties such as mangos, papayas, and pomegranates are better than temperate bananas and apples.