Should You Buy a Grey Parrot?
African grey parrots can create a strong bond with humans. They are intelligent birds. They are not suitable for pet owners who are not experienced, as they need lots of attention and exercise to prevent health or behavioral issues.
In the wild African Greys are in groups that interact with one another to manage complicated daily tasks. If left to their own devices or in isolation they could become destructive and even feather pluck.
Health
African grey parrots have been reported to live for up to 80 years in captivity and are among the world's most intelligent creatures. They can be very sociable and are able to learn many words and phrases. However, they can be extremely loud birds and require lots of mental stimulation. It's important to think about whether you are able to handle the volume before you purchase one.
If you choose to purchase an African grey, then make sure your lifestyle can accommodate their needs. For instance when you work long hours and are away from home for a lot of the time, you'll need to consider carefully if an African grey is the right choice for you as it's unlikely they would be happy in a solitary environment and may become bored and destructive.
Consider whether you and your family are capable of coping with the level of noise from an African gray. They are vocal birds that emit lots of whistles, call and loud screeches. This is part of their natural instincts and allows them to communicate in the wild with other flock members. However, if they are feeling unhappy or bored then this could lead to screaming and biting.
If you are able to handle these noises, and allow your African grey plenty of human interaction, you will find that they are very loving and sweet. They are also very enjoyable to be around. They are also very loyal and will stay with their owner for the rest of their life.
Sadly, the popularity of African grey parrots has meant that their numbers are declining in the wild due to over trapping for the pet trade as well as the loss of forests in a lot of their range. Despite this, if you are keen to own an African grey, then you must always purchase a bird from a reputable breeder who is capable of providing you with an Annex A Certificate (or Article 10 Certificate) which is required with any Annex A species when being sold or offered for sale.
Training
A parrot can be an excellent companion and has the capacity to develop a profund understanding. It will form a bond that will last for a lifetime. They are smart and learn to whistle, mimic and talk. They can also learn to recognize your voice and respond to specific requests and questions. This is a wonderful and unique relationship that can be both rewarding and challenging.
Parrots require constant interaction and care to remain happy and healthy. They enjoy playing and learning new things and will be extremely attached to you. They will begin to recognize your voice and greet you with a chirp whenever you return home from work or school. They will also become very connected to their favourite foods, toys and music.
Many people are afraid that their pets will become so attached to them that they'll behave aggressively toward other family members or strangers. This can happen however it is crucial to train your pet from the very beginning to accept all members of the household. This will keep the parrot from becoming over dependent on one person, and also helps to teach the parrot to be able to interact with humans.
The training should start at the earliest possible point, so the bird has time to learn the commands. If you begin training too late, your parrot will have a hard time learning to trust and become more nervous. You must first teach your pet to remember by walking, and then begin training it to perform simple tricks.
Positive reinforcement is the best method to train your pet. This means that you reward the bird with small treats for each command it follows. This will encourage the birds to repeat the command, and also reinforce good behavior.
The African grey is an incredible bird with a unique vocabulary and intelligence. This adorable and playful bird will win your heart and will become part of your family forever. Remember that the wild population is at risk because of the demand for the birds' beauty and skill. Poachers are often able to take them away from the wild and forest loss is another cause.
Care
African grey parrots have an intense bond with humans and are highly intelligent. They can learn 1000 words and can speak in sentences if taught correctly. They are considered to be one of the most intelligent birds in entire world. They have been kept as pets for a number of years and are extremely sensitive to their owners. In the wild they are a target for snakes and big cats. They also face loss of habitat in several areas of their range.
The bird is a popular pet in Europe as well as the United States, and the Middle East because of its long lifespan and ability to mimic human speech. The decline in their numbers is because of the over-tightening of these birds to be used in the pet industry and habitat destruction in Africa.
When kept in captivity, these parrots require a high-quality formulated pellet diet and fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also essential that they have access to clean and fresh water at all times. Some veterinarians recommend adding nutritional supplements to your diet, however, they should be taken with care.
They need lots of mental stimulation to prevent them from getting bored, and if they don't get enough stimulation, they may begin to act out in undesirable ways like self-mutilation or screaming. It is essential to talk to your vet prior to purchasing an African Grey.
These animals enjoy playing with their owners and will love toys, puzzles, and games. In addition, they need to spend several hours in their cage each day, so an enclosure that is large or medium will be necessary for them to have the space they need.
Ideally, an African grey should be kept in a house 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 under threat.
They can live for up to 80 years in captivity, and may be sensitive to changes in their environment. They may become jealous if an infant is added to the family, or angry when a new spouse or girlfriend is introduced. If they're not happy they may scream, or gnaw their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural habitats, African greys live as multi-family groups. They exhibit altruistic behavior like grooming other birds and reserving food. In captivity the need for companionship can be met by providing social interaction with a variety of toys and chewable branches. It can also be addressed by offering an energizing diet, which includes pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Pellets are a vital component of the diet of a parrot and should make up 75-80% of their total intake of food. They are a very palatable, textured food and can be a fantastic way to add flavor to the diet. You can also include seeds, nuts and vegetables. The diets that are formulated and available for African greys provide the right balance of nutrition, thus reducing the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
In the wild, African grays are natural foragers. They can travel for long distances in search of grubs or insects on tree bark, or various fruits. It is therefore possible that they eat some meat and animal proteins however I haven't seen mine show any interest. A small amount of cooked drumstick flesh is acceptable however it is not recommended for young birds because it may cause gastric upsets.
Captive parrots must be fed a seasonal diet because the nutritional content of fresh food varies with time. This will allow the parrots to experience the full range and textures of the wild counterparts to the rainforest without having to pay for out-of-season, specialist products.
Vegetables are particularly important for healthy parrots. A balanced diet should include dark greens like cress, water-grass and kale. Kale, water-grass, as well as cress are good choices. These are all high in levels of calcium, which are vital to a parrot's health. Deficiency in calcium could lead to seizures and feather plucking in some species.
Fruits should be offered in lower quantities than vegetables, since the sugars may cause yeast issues (a common issue for parrots with immune deficiencies) and lead to obesity. Fruits can vary in their nutritional value based on the region in which they originate. Tropical fruits such as mangos, papayas, and pomegranates have more nutrients than bananas and apples.