Should You Buy a Grey Parrot?
African grey parrots are able to form a strong bond with humans. They are intelligent birds. However these birds aren't suitable for pet owners who are new to the hobby as they require a lot of attention and exercise to avoid health or behavioral issues.
In the wild African Greys are in groups of friends and work with one another in order to complete complicated daily tasks. Left alone or isolated they could become destructive or feather pluck.
Health
African grey parrots have been reported to live for up to 80 years in captivity. They are among the world's smartest creatures. They are very sociable birds and can speak a variety of phrases and words. However, they can be extremely loud birds and require lots of mental stimulation. It is important to consider whether you are able to handle the level of noise before purchasing one.
If you choose to purchase an African gray, be sure that your lifestyle is in line with their needs. For instance when you work long hours and are away from home for the majority of the day then you'll have to think carefully if an African grey is right for you as it's unlikely they'd be content in a solitary environment and could become bored and destructive.
Consider whether you and your family members are capable of coping with the level of noise from an African gray. They are vocal birds who make a lot of calls, whistles, and loud screeches. This is part of their instinctual nature and allows them to communicate with their flock members in the wild. If they are unhappy or bored it can cause them to screaming and biting.
The good news is that if you're capable of coping with these noises and give your African grey with plenty of human contact then you'll find them adorable, affectionate and a joy to have. They are also extremely loyal and will stay with their owners for the rest of their life.
Sadly, due to the popularity of African gray parrots their numbers in the wild are dwindling. This is due to the excessive capture of these birds for the pet market as well as the loss of forests in several regions of the range. But, if do decide on owning an African grey, you should always purchase a bird from a reputable breeder who is able to provide you with an Annex A Certificate (or Article 10 Certificate) which must accompany any Annex A species when being offered for sale or sold.
Training
A parrot is an excellent companion and can provide an extremely deep understanding. It can create a bond that will last a lifetime. They are intelligent and can learn to whistle, mimic and speak. They can also learn your voice and respond to certain requests and questions. This is an amazing and unique relationship that can be both satisfying and frustrating.
Parrots need constant interaction and attention to stay healthy and happy. They will eventually fall in love with you and become attached to your company. They will learn to recognize your voice and will often greet you with chirps when you return from school or work. They will also get very attracted to their favorite toys, food, and music.
Many people worry that their parrot will be so enthralled with them that they'll act in a hostile way towards other members of the family or strangers. It is possible that this could occur, but you must make sure that your pet is able to be tolerant of everyone in the family from the beginning. This will help to prevent the pet from becoming too attached to a single person and also helps to teach the parrot to interact with other human beings.
The training should be started at the earliest possible point to allow the bird enough time to master the commands. If you start training too late, your bird will have a difficult time learning to trust and become more nervous. It is best to first teach your parrot how to recall its surroundings by walking, before introducing it to perform simple tricks.
Positive reinforcement is the most effective method of training your parrot. You can reward your pet with a small reward after it follows each instruction. This will motivate the birds to follow the command, and reinforce good behavior.
The African grey is an incredible bird with an extraordinary vocabulary and intelligence. This charming and playful bird will win your heart and become part of your family for the rest of your all of. Be aware that the wild population is in danger because of the demand for the birds' beauty and talent. They are frequently taken from the wild by poachers, and are also affected by the loss of forest.
You can also read about how to take care of yourself.
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 believed to be among the smartest birds in the entire world. Since thousands of years they were kept as pet birds. They can be very sensitive towards their handlers. In the wild, they are a target of big cats and snakes. In a number of locations they also have to contend with habitat destruction.
A popular pet bird In Europe and America, as well as the Middle East, this bird has a long life span and can imitate human speech. The decline in their numbers is due to the excessive trapping of these birds to be used in the pet industry and destruction of habitats in Africa.
They require a high-quality pellet diet as well as fresh vegetables and fruits. It is also important that they have access to clean and fresh water all the time. Some veterinarians recommend adding dietary supplements to your diet, but they should be used with caution.
They require plenty of mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored. If they don't receive enough, they may start to act out in inappropriate ways, including self-mutilation and screams. If you're thinking of purchasing an African grey, it's essential to speak with your avian veterinarian before making a purchase.
They love playing with their owners and appreciate puzzles, toys and games. In addition, they need to spend several hours out of their cage every day, and the use of a large or medium-sized cage will be necessary for them to have the space they need.
Ideally the ideal African grey is best kept in a house with other birds. They aren't the best companions for young children, because they can be destructive and may bite. They are territorial and can react aggressively if they feel their territory is being threatened.
They can live up 80 years in captivity, and can be sensitive to changes in their environment. They can become jealous when an infant is added to the family, or be upset when a new partner or girlfriend is introduced. If they're not content they may scream, or chew their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural habitats, African greys live as multi-family groups. They show altruistic behavior like grooming other birds and regurgitating food. This need for companionship in captivity can be fulfilled through social interaction with different toys and chewable branches. It can be addressed by providing an enriching diet that includes pellets, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Pellets are a vital part of the diet and should comprise 75-80% of the diet of a parrot. These pellets are highly palatable and have a nice texture. They also add flavor to the parrot's diet. Nuts, seeds and a wide range of vegetables should also be considered. The formulated diets that are available for African greys provide an adequate nutrition, which reduces the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
It is crucial to remember that in the wild African greys are foragers by nature and travel a long distance in search of insects and grubs in tree bark as well as a vast range of fruits. It is possible that they consume animal protein and meat, but I have never observed my birds display any interest in. It is okay to feed young birds a small amount of cooked drumstick chicken flesh, however, it is best to avoid it as it can cause stomach upsets.
The nutritional content of fresh food varies throughout the year, and captive parrots should be served the same menu throughout the year. This will allow parrots to take in the entire range and variety of the rainforest's wild counterparts without having to pay for products that are not in season.
Vegetables play a major role in a healthy parrot. A balanced diet should contain dark greens such as cress, water-grass, and kale. Kale, water-grass, and cress are all good options. These foods contain high levels of calcium, which are essential for a parrot's good health. Insufficient calcium levels can cause seizures and feather plucking in certain species.
Fruits should be consumed in smaller amounts than vegetables as sugars can cause yeast infections (a common issue for parrots with compromised immune systems) and obesity. The nutrient content of fruits may differ from country to country and tropical varieties such as mangos, papayas and the pomegranates have more benefits than temperate varieties like bananas and apples.