Should You Buy a Grey Parrot?
African grey parrots are intelligent birds that are capable of forming a strong bond with their human companion. However, these birds are not for novice pet owners because they require a lot of exercise and care to avoid behavioral or health issues.
In the wild African Greys form groups to complete their everyday tasks. Left alone or isolated they could become destructive or even feather pluck.
Health
African grey parrots are said to live up to 80 years in the wild. They are also among the smartest creatures on the planet. They can be extremely social and learn to speak many words and phrases. They can be noisy birds that require a lot mental stimulation. It is crucial to consider whether you can handle the level of noise before purchasing one.
If you choose to purchase an African gray, ensure that your lifestyle is compatible with their requirements. For instance, if you work regular long hours and are away from home for a large portion of the time, you'll need to take a close look at if an African grey is the right choice for you, as it's likely they'd be content in a space that is solitary and may become bored and destructive.
You should also think about whether your family and you are able to handle the noise levels of an African grey. African Grey Parrot are vocal birds and make many whistles, calls and very loud screeches! This is a part of their instinctual nature and allows them to communicate with their flock members in the wild. If they are feeling bored or unhappy, this can lead them to shout and bite.
The good news is that if you're able to cope with these sounds and give your African grey with plenty of human contact then you will find them very adorable, affectionate and a joy to be around. They are also extremely loyal and will bond with their owner for the rest of their life.
Unfortunately due to the growing popularity of African gray parrots their numbers in the wild are declining. This is due to the over capture of these birds to the pet market and the loss of forests in several regions of the range. If you're still keen to acquire an African Grey, you should only buy from an accredited breeder. They will 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 are a wonderful companion. It has the capacity to have a deep understanding. It will develop a bond with you that can last a lifetime. They are very smart and can learn to speak, whistle and mimic. They also learn to understand your voice and respond to certain questions and commands. This is a very special and wonderful relationship that can be rewarding and frustrating.
Parrots need constant interaction and care to remain happy and healthy. They will grow to love you and will become a part of your company. They will learn to recognize your voices and will frequently greet you with chirps when you come home from work or school. They will also become attached to their favorite toys, food and music.
Many people fear that their parrots will become so attached to them that they'll behave aggressively towards other family members or strangers. It is possible that this will occur, but you must train your parrot to accept all members of the family from the beginning. This will stop the parrot from becoming too attached to a single individual, and also help train the parrot to to interact with others.
It is crucial to begin the training as soon as you can so that the bird can learn the commands. If you start too late, the parrot might have a difficult time learning to trust you and may become anxious. The first thing you should do is to train your pet to recall on foot and then begin teaching the bird to do simple tricks.
When you are training your pet it is recommended to use positive reinforcement. You will reward your parrot with a small treat after it follows each instruction. This will motivate the birds to repeat the command, and also reinforce good behavior.
The African grey bird is a fascinating bird with an extraordinary vocabulary and intelligence. This beautiful and playful bird will capture your heart and be a part of your family for life. Keep in mind that the wild population is at risk due to the demand for these birds' beauty and talents. Poachers are often able to take them away from the wild, and loss of forest is another cause.
Care
African grey parrots develop bonds with people and are highly intelligent. They can learn as much as 1,000 words, and speak in sentences if they are correctly taught. In reality they are considered to be one of the most intelligent birds in the world. Since thousands of years they were kept as pet birds. They can be extremely sensitive to their handlers. In the wild they are a target for snakes and big cats. In many areas, they also face destruction of their habitats.
The bird is a very popular pet in Europe and the United States, and the Middle East because of its long life span and ability to imitate human speech. However, their numbers are declining due to the overuse of traps for pet trade and habitat loss in Africa.
In captive, these parrots require a high-quality pellet diet, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits. They should also have clean, fresh water available at all times. Some avian vets recommend the addition of dietary supplements, however they should be handled with care.
They need a lot of mental stimulation in order to stop them from becoming bored. If they don't get enough stimulation, they might begin to act out in inappropriate ways, like self-mutilation and screams. If you're considering buying an African grey, it is crucial to talk to your veterinarian who specializes in avian medicine before making a decision.
These animals are a lot of fun to play with and will love games, toys, and games with their owners. They also need 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 give them the space they require.
Ideally, an African grey is best kept in a place with other birds. They are not a good choice for children under the age of five, since they can be destructive or bite. They tend to be territorial and react aggressively when they feel that their territory is threatened.
They can live to be as old as 80 years in captivity and are prone to being sensitive to changes in their environment. They might become jealous of a new addition in the family, or they might be upset by the introduction of a new partner or spouse. If they're not content, they may scream or chew their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural habitat African greys reside in multi-family groups. They exhibit altruistic behavior, such as grooming and regurgitation of food to feed other birds. This requirement for companionship in captivity can be met through social interaction with different toys and chewable branches. It can also be addressed by offering a stimulating diet, including pellets, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Pellets are a vital part of the diet and should make up 75-80% of the diet of a parrot. These pellets are highly digestible and have a lovely texture. They also add flavor to the parrot's diet. You can also offer nuts, seeds and vegetables. The diets that are available to African grays are balanced and lower the risk of nutritional deficiency.
It is vital to keep in mind that in the wild African greys are natural foragers and can travel a long distance in search of grubs and insects from tree bark as well as a vast variety of fruit. It is therefore possible that they will eat some meat and animal protein however I haven't seen mine display any interest. It is acceptable to offer young birds a small portion of cooked drumstick chicken flesh, however, it is best to avoid it because it could cause stomach upsets.
The nutritional content of fresh foods fluctuates throughout the year and captive birds should be served an annual menu. This allows them to enjoy the full range of flavors and textures their wild counterparts do in the jungle, while not paying too much for special products that are not in season.
Vegetables are especially important to a healthy parrot. A balanced diet should contain dark greens, such as cress, water-grass and kale. Kale, water-grass, as well as cress are good choices. The high levels of calcium found in these plants are essential for the health of parrots. A deficiency in calcium can cause seizures and feather plucking in some species.
Fruits should be consumed in smaller amounts than vegetables since sugars can cause yeast infections (a frequent problem for parrots with compromised immune systems) and weight gain. Fruits can vary in their nutritional value based on the region in which they originate. Tropical fruits such as mangos, papayas, and pomegranates are rich in nutrients than apples and bananas.