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Caring For an African Grey Parrot Like toddlers, African grey parrots can be bored quickly and require lots of mental stimulation to avoid behavioral issues. They can become destructive or shout if they don't get enough mental stimulation. Highly intelligent, they are arguably the most accurate mimics of all species of parrots. They can understand human speech. The pet trade and destruction of habitats are the primary threats to them. Feeding The diet requirements of African greys are different from other large psittacine species. They are omnivorous, but they prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables. In captivity, they are more likely than not to eat fruits and seeds. They are also prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity so it is important for owners to monitor the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are recommended to make up 75% of a parrot's daily diet. Ideally, the diet should contain a mix of pellets and fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale silverbeets, pak choi sweetcorn, carrots, and broccoli. Sprouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, okra and okra can also be beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage, as they contain high levels of oxalic acids, which can prevent calcium absorption in the body. Nuts are a rich source of nutrients to a diet, but should be eaten sparingly due to their fat content. They are high in proteins, healthy fats and minerals and vitamins. The rest of your diet should consist of an assortment of fruits and veggies. It is best to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to Psittacines. Other common toxic foods include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they may be suffering from yeast issues in their digestive tract. A balanced diet is the best method to keep your African grey parrot healthy and content. It is important to monitor the bird's weight, and introduce new foods in small quantities. It is recommended to weigh the bird daily to ensure that any changes can be easily observed and corrected. blue african grey parrot 's also a good idea to offer the bird fresh water on a regular basis. This will help prevent dehydration and infections caused by bacteria. Food that is not eaten in the cage or play area can be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird. Training Parrots are highly intelligent and can easily learn to speak, though it might take days or weeks to repeat the words they hear. A parrot that is trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to signals. These activities keep a bird's brain stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. Boredom can lead to unwelcome behavior like feather picking and destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional. It's crucial to prevent over-bonding, as a parrot that is too attached to a person can become territorial and aggressive towards others. This can be dangerous for children as well as the elderly or people who suffer from allergies. To avoid this, all members of the household should spend some time every day playing with and engaging with the bird in different ways. This will make the bird more at ease being touched by members of the family and reduce the likelihood that it will develop an overprotective behavior. A bird that is tied to one person will typically begin pecking and biting at visitors or family members when they attempt to pet it or even touch it. To avoid this, family members should each take turns in petting the bird or placing it in its cage. If a parrot is displaying aggressive behavior, it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it is calmed down. Be aware of “pinfeathers” or “blood feathers” during pet-loving sessions. These feathers are a source of blood supply and can bleed if brushed against. If a blood feather is exposed, it should be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather. Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should also be taught to identify food items and toys. This will help the bird to develop the ability to speak, and will allow it to communicate with family members without needing to be physically present. Health The African grey parrot is considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. However, it can get bored and resort to destructive behaviors if not provided with enough toys or opportunities to exercise their minds. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks and excessive screams. Parrots can be expensive pets to have. The initial costs are high and they require a constant supply of toys which are destroyed quickly. They can also be prone to infections, which could be expensive to treat. These highly social birds need lots of interaction with their human counterparts, which includes hours of playtime that includes games or puzzles, as well as lessons. To stay healthy and strong they must exercise for hours a day and escaping their cage. Their cage must be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be made of non-toxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should have many different types of perches with varying sizes and textures and be able to change between them. A roost is likewise required, which is usually an iron or wood perch at the corner of the cage. Parrots must have access to water that is fresh throughout the day and is recommended to replenish it daily. They should be provided with an assortment of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and treats should be limited to a maximum of 10% of their diet. Also, you should offer different nuts and seeds. Around 75% of their food should consist of high-quality crumbles or pellets. The majority of the problems with parrots are the result of a long-term food inconsistencies. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, bad plumage quality or poor breeding performance. More severe changes could manifest themselves as specific disease-related entities. Many of these issues can be prevented with regular well-checks from an avian vet, and proper diet management. Care Like all birds, African greys require lots of attention and mental stimulation to be content. If a parrot becomes bored, it can become depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation and feather-picking. To ensure your pet's health it is vital to regularly undergo veterinary exams as well as fecal tests and vaccinations. African greys form monogamous pairs and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They take care of their children until they reach about 10 weeks old. They fly and are among the most intelligent species of birds. They have long lives and often outlive their human owners, making them popular pets across the world. They are highly adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural habitat with plenty of trees and perches. They can use their feet to balance and perch – with two faces back on each foot and two facing forward on each foot, just like humans do. Their short beaks are curved and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This makes it easier for them to crack open nuts, seeds and wood. In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts seeds, dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not constitute more than 5% and be supplemented by high-quality crumbles or pellets to prevent pickiness. They should also be served with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked beans and legumes. Fresh water must always be accessible, and cages should be cleaned every day. If the diet is not adequate, supplements like calcium or vitamin D may be required. The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh Parrots as well as their habitats. However, their numbers are decreasing due to illegal trade. They are, however, protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also receive the highest level protection under CITES. Learn more about these fascinating birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!