Should You Buy a Grey Parrot?
African grey parrots are intelligent birds capable of forming a strong bond with their human companion. They are not suitable for pet owners who are new to the hobby, as they need a lot attention and exercise in order to prevent behavioral or health issues.
In the wild African Greys are social animals that form groups to accomplish everyday tasks. If left alone, they can become destructive or even feather pluck.
Health
African grey parrots are reported to live for up to 80 years in captivity and are among the world's smartest creatures. They are very social and are able to learn many words and phrases. However, they can be very loud and require plenty of mental stimulation. This is the reason it's important to think about whether you're able to handle the noise level of these birds before you purchase one.
If you do choose to purchase an African Grey Parrot grey, you need to ensure that your lifestyle is able to accommodate their needs. For instance If you work long hours and are away from home for a large portion of the time, then you'll need to take a close look at if 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.
It is also worth considering whether your family and you are able to handle the noise levels of an African grey. They are vocal birds that make lots of whistles, call and loud screeches. This is part of their instinctual nature and allows them to communicate with other members of their flock in the wild. If they are unhappy or bored, this can lead them to scream 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, you'll find them affectionate, loving and a joy to have. They are also very loyal and will bond with their owner for the rest of their life.
Sadly, due to the popularity of African gray parrots and their increasing numbers in the wild are decreasing. This is due to the over capture of these birds for the pet market and the loss of forests in various areas of the range. If you're still determined to own an African Grey, make sure you make sure you purchase from an established breeder. They will to provide you with a Certificate of Annex A (or Article 10 Certificate) that must accompany any Annex A bird when it is sold or offered for purchase.
Training
A parrot is a wonderful companion. It can have a deep understanding. It will form a bond with you that can last a lifetime. They are intelligent and can learn how to whistle, mimic and talk. They can also recognize your voice and respond to certain requests and questions. This is a truly special and amazing relationship that can be both rewarding and frustrating.
Parrots need constant interaction and care to remain healthy and happy. They will grow to love you and will become a part of your company. They will begin to recognize your voice and will frequently greet you with a chirp when you get home from school or work. They will also get very attracted to their favorite toys, food items and music.
Many people are afraid that their pets will become so attached to them that they'll be aggressive towards other family members or strangers. It is possible that this could occur, but you must train your parrot to accept everyone in the family from the very beginning. This will help to stop the parrot from becoming attached to a single person and will also help to train the parrot to be able to interact with humans.
It is essential to begin the training as soon as you can to ensure that the bird is able to learn the commands. If you begin too late, the bird may have a hard time getting used to you and become nervous. The first thing to do is to teach your parrot to recall on foot and then begin training it to perform simple tricks.
When training your pet it is recommended to make use of positive reinforcement. You will reward your parrot with a small treat after it has obeyed each command. This will encourage the bird to repeat the command and it will help to reinforce good behavior as as punish bad behavior.
The African grey is an amazing bird with a unique vocabulary and intelligence. This gorgeous and playful animal will win your heart and will become part of your family for life. It is important to remember that the wild population of these birds is threatened because of the demand for their beauty and talent. They are often snatched from the wild by poachers, and also impacted by the loss of forests.
Care
African grey parrots have a strong bond with people and are highly intelligent. They can master 1,000 words and can speak in sentences if taught correctly. They are thought to be one of the smartest birds in the entire world. They have been kept as pets for a number of years, and they can be very sensitive to their owners. In the wild, they are a target for big cats and snakes. They also have to contend with loss of habitat in several regions of their range.
A popular pet bird in Europe, America, and the Middle East, this bird has a long lifespan and can mimic human speech. Their population is declining because of the over-tightening of these birds for the pet industry and destruction of habitats in Africa.
In captivity, these parrots require a high-quality pellet diet and fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also crucial that they have access to clean water that is fresh at all times. Some veterinarians suggest adding dietary supplements to your diet, but they should be used with caution.
They need a lot of mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored. If they aren't stimulated enough stimulation, they might begin to act out in unwanted ways, like self-mutilation and screams. If you are thinking of buying an African grey, it's important to talk to your avian veterinarian before making a decision.
These animals enjoy playing with their owners and will enjoy puzzles, toys, and games. They also require at least a few hours each day out of their cages, so a medium-sized or large cage is needed to provide them with the space they require.
Ideally the African grey should be kept in a place with other birds. They are not a good choice for children under the age of five because they are destructive or bite. They are territorial and can react aggressively when they feel that their territory is being threatened.
The parrots can live for up to 80 years in captivity and they can be very sensitive to changes in their environment. They might become jealous if the baby is added to the family, or upset if a new spouse or girlfriend is introduced. If they're not content, they may scream or gnaw their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural environment, African greys live as multi-family groups. They show altruistic behavior like grooming other birds and regurgitating food. In captivity this desire for companionship can be met by providing social interaction through a variety of toys and chewable branches. You can also meet this need by providing a nutritious diet that includes pellets as well as fruits and vegetables.
Pellets are an essential part of the diet and should make up 75-80% of the parrot's total food intake. They are a highly palatable and textured food, and a great way of adding flavor to the diet. Nuts, seeds, and a wide variety of vegetables must also be offered. The diets available for African grays are well-balanced and reduce the chance of deficiency in nutrition.
It is important to remember that in the wild African greys are foragers by nature and travel great distances searching for insects and grubs from tree bark and a wide variety of fruits. It is therefore possible that they eat some meat and animal proteins, although I have never observed mine display any interest. A small amount of cooked drumstick flesh is acceptable but it is not recommended for young birds as it could cause gastric upsets.
Captive parrots must be fed a varied diet because the nutritional value of fresh food changes over time. This allows them to enjoy the full range of tastes and textures their wild counterparts do in the jungle, while avoiding over-paying for specialist products that are not in season.
Vegetables are particularly important for healthy parrots. A balanced diet should include dark greens, such as kale, water-grass and cress. Kale, water-grass, and cress are all excellent choices. These are all high in levels of calcium, which is essential for a parrot's good health. A deficiency in calcium can cause seizures and feather plucking in some species.
Fruits should be offered in smaller quantities than vegetables, because sugars can cause yeast problems (a common problem for immune-compromised parrots) and cause overweightness. Fruits may differ in nutritional value, based on the country. Tropical fruits such as mangos, papayas and pomegranates contain more nutrients than apples and bananas.