Should You Buy a Grey Parrot?
read this can create a strong bond with humans. They are intelligent birds. They are not suitable for pet owners who are new to the hobby, as they need plenty of exercise and attention to prevent health or behavioral issues.
In the wild African Greys live in groups that interact with one another in order to complete the complexities of daily life. Left alone or isolated they can be destructive or even feather pluck.
Health
African grey parrots are believed to live up to 80 years in the wild. They are also among the most intelligent creatures on the planet. They are extremely social birds and can learn to speak a variety of words and phrases. They can be noisy birds that require lots of mental stimulation. This is why it's important to determine if you're able to handle the noise level of these birds, before you purchase one.
If you decide to buy an African gray, make sure that your lifestyle is compatible with their needs. For instance when you work long hours and are away from home for the majority of the time, then you'll need to consider carefully whether an African grey is the right choice for you since it's highly unlikely they'd be content in a space that is solitary and could end up becoming bored and destructive.
Take a look at whether you and your family are able to cope 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 instincts and allows them to communicate in the wild with other flock members. If they're experiencing feelings of sadness or boredom, this can lead to them screaming and biting.
The good news is that if you're capable of coping with these sounds and give your African grey with lots of human contact, you'll find them sweet, loving and a joy to own. They are also very loyal and will be a part of their owners for the rest of their life.
Sadly, the popularity of African grey parrots means that their numbers are declining in the wild due in part to excessive trapping for the pet trade as well as the loss of forests in a lot of their range. If you're still keen to get an African Grey, make sure you make sure you purchase from an accredited breeder. They can to provide you with a certificate of Annex A (or Article 10 Certificate), which must accompany any Annex A bird when it is offered for sale or purchase.
Training
Parrots can be an excellent companion and can provide a very profound understanding. It will develop bonds with you that will last a lifetime. They are intelligent and can learn how to whistle, mimic and speak. They can also learn to recognize your voice and respond to certain requests and questions. This is a wonderful and special bond that can be both satisfying and frustrating.
Parrots are an extremely active bird and they need constant interaction and attention to keep them happy and healthy. They enjoy playing and learning new things, and they'll become very attracted to you. They will begin to recognize your voice and they will often greet you with chirps when you return from school or work. They will also become attached to their favorite foods, toys and music.
Many people worry that their parrot will be so attached to them that they'll behave in a hostile way towards other members of the family, or even strangers. It is possible that this might occur, but it is best to make sure that your pet is able to accept everyone in the family from the beginning. This will prevent the parrot becoming too attached to one individual, and also help to train the bird to be able to interact with other people.
The training should start as early as you can, so the bird has time to learn the commands. If you start too late, the bird may have trouble learning to trust you and may become nervous. The first thing to do is to teach your parrot to recall on foot, and then begin training the bird to perform simple tricks.
Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your parrot. This means that you give the bird small treats for each command it follows. This will entice the bird to repeat the command, and it will encourage good behavior as well in reprimanding poor behavior.
The African grey is an incredible bird with an amazing vocabulary and intelligence. This gorgeous and playful bird will win your heart and become part of your family for the rest of your life. It is important to note that the wild populations of these birds are endangered due to the demand for their beauty and talents. They are often snatched from the wild by poachers, and also affected by forest loss.
Care
African grey parrots have a strong bond with people and are highly intelligent. They can master up to 1,000 words, and speak in sentences if they are correctly taught. They are believed to be among the most intelligent birds in the entire world. Since the beginning of time, they have been kept as pets birds. They can be very sensitive towards their handlers. In the wild, they are preyed on by large cats and snakes. They also have to contend with habitat loss in many areas of their range.
A beloved pet bird In Europe, America, and the Middle East, this bird has a long lifespan and can mimic human speech. The decline in their numbers is because of the over-tightening of birds for the pet industry and habitat destruction in Africa.
The parrots require an excellent pellet diet and fresh vegetables and fruits. They also require fresh, clean water at all times. Some avian vets suggest the addition of diet supplements, however they must be used with caution.
They require plenty of mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored. If they aren't stimulated enough, they may start to act out in unwanted ways, including self-mutilation and screams. It is important to consult your avian vet before purchasing an African Grey.
They love playing with their owners and will enjoy puzzles, toys, and games. They also have to spend at least a few hours each day in their cage which is why a medium-sized or a large cage is required to provide them with the space they require.
In the ideal scenario in the ideal situation, an African gray should be kept in a group with other birds. They aren't the ideal pets for children in the early years, because they can be destructive and bite. They are territorial and can respond aggressively when they feel their home is under threat.
They can live for up to 80 years in captivity, and can be sensitive to changes in their environment. They might become jealous if an infant is added to the family or be upset when a new partner or girlfriend is introduced. If they're unhappy they often scream and chew their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural habitat African greys live in multi-family groups and exhibit altruistic behaviors such as grooming and re-ingestion of food to feed other birds. This need for companionship in captivity can be fulfilled through social interaction with different of chewable toys and branches. It can also be addressed by offering a stimulating diet, including pellets, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Pellets are a vital component of a parrot's diet and should comprise 75-80% of its total intake of food. They are highly digestible, textured food and a great way of adding flavor to the diet. Nuts, seeds and a variety of vegetables must also be included. The diets that are available to African grays are balanced and lower the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
In the wild, African grays are natural foragers. They can travel for long distances to hunt for 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 observed mine show any interest. A small amount of cooked drumstick flesh could be a good option but it should not be eaten by young birds as it could cause gastric upsets.
The nutrient content of fresh foods changes all through the year and captive birds should be offered an annual menu. This will allow them to experience the variety of tastes and textures that their wild counterparts enjoy in the rainforest, whilst not paying too much for special products that aren't in season.
Vegetables play a major part in the health of a parrot's health. A balanced diet should contain plenty of dark greens, e.g. Kale, water-grass and cress are all good options. The high levels of calcium found in these foods are vital for the health of parrots. A deficiency in calcium can trigger seizures and feather plucking in certain species.
Fruits should be served in lower amounts than vegetables, as the sugars may cause yeast problems (a common problem for parrots with immune deficiencies) and cause overweightness. Fruits can vary in nutritional value, based on the country in which they are grown. Tropical fruits such as mangos, papayas, and pomegranates contain more nutrients than bananas and apples.