Guide To African Grey Parrot Care: The Intermediate Guide On African Grey Parrot Care

African Grey Parrot Care

Once they’ve been taught operant conditioning and positive rewards, African greys are very easy to train. However, inexperienced pet owners might be overwhelmed.

These intelligent birds need hours of focus, outside-of-cage exercise and enrichment through games, puzzles, and lessons. Otherwise, they can become stressed and exhibit self-harming behavior patterns.

Cage

African greys are extremely intelligent birds that require daily interaction and mental stimulation. They enjoy playing with toys, interacting with humans, and learning new terms and tricks. They require a high-end cage that is spacious enough to allow them to spread their wings. It is important that they have a large living area for their health and wellbeing. They should also be allowed to explore and exercise their surroundings on a regular basis.

The cage should be the minimum dimensions of 2×2 feet, and be 3 feet tall to allow the bird room to fly. The cage should include a comfortable perch as well as an enclosed door. The cage should not contain toxic plants, chemicals or fumes that could harm your parrot. Clipping the wings is not recommended because it could restrict the bird’s ability exercise and affect its mental health.

A healthy African grey diet includes pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables and a small amount of seeds. They should be provided with a variety of chewable toys made of leather to strengthen their beaks. Foraging toys must be provided to inspire them to explore their surroundings.

The food should be fed frequently and removed once it has been eaten. Fresh water should be available at all times. A water dish should be placed inside the cage to limit the risk of contamination due to spills. Regularly bathing your parrot will reduce the chance of shed and keep it clean.

African greys are easily stressed by disturbance and noise It is therefore recommended to keep the cage in a quiet area of the home, not the focal point. If the bird doesn’t feel comfortable in its surroundings, they will withdraw and exhibit self-destructive behaviors such as feather plucking.

Food

African greys are omnivores in the wild and consume a wide variety of foods including leaves fruit, bark, insects and seeds. Captive birds usually consume pellets that are formulated and fresh, wholesome vegetables, seeds and fruit. Some owners also feed their birds a small amount protein from cooked chicken and other meats but this is not recommended because it may be too fat-rich and cholesterol for the bird.

These intelligent animals require constant stimulation with exercise, attention, and stimulation. If they don’t receive enough stimulation in their brains they often engage in self-harming behaviour. They can imitate vocal sounds, whistle and sing.

They are susceptible to calcium deficiency (hypocalcaemia) and require a high-quality supply of calcium-rich food to avoid this issue. Many experts suggest that you provide them with an exclusive parrot pellet that contains more calcium than the standard diet. They should be provided with various foods high in micro-nutrients as well as calcium, such as watercress and kale.

They also are susceptible to vitamin deficiencies, specifically Vitamin A and Vitamin D. They can be addressed by feeding various vegetables and fruits which are high in beta-carotene such as sweet potatoes and fresh kale. Soluvite D and Multivet are excellent supplements that have Vitamins A and D. These can be added to the birds water or fed through cuttlebones and Iodine bells. The birds are extremely sensitive to toxins and should be wormed using a broad spectrum wormer every three months. They should be given a probiotic dietary supplement to ensure their digestive system is in good shape.

Water

African grey parrots are intelligent birds that can solve problems. They are a joy to entertain their owners with silly routines. African grey parrots have been reported to self-mutilate when in captivity. They often pull their feathers. This could be due stress or vitamin deficiencies. Regularly bathing your African grey parrot can reduce the amount of feathers they lose. This will ensure they stay clean, healthy and reduce their risk of disease.

A fresh spray bottle filled with warm water is perfect to bathe your African grey parrot. Begin by inviting your bird into the water and then letting them take a look. Once your bird is relaxed then gently spray them using the nozzle on a mist setting or sprinkler. Ensure that you are always monitoring and spotting your bird during this process to ensure their safety.

After bathing your African Grey parrot, let them dry in an area that is warm and free of drafts. Be aware that not all African Greys are fond of being splashed with water. However, with patience and positive reinforcement, you can get them used to it. Be careful not to spray them with too much force because this could cause the bird to become stressed and could lead to plucking.

Once your bird has become used to being misted with water, you can begin giving regular baths. Remember that African greys require to be stimulated regularly to prevent boredom. This can also lead to self-mutilation and stress. Similarly, they need ample exercise to stay fit and content. You can give your African grey parrots with toys, exercise equipment and social interactions to keep them busy.

Toys

African greys have a natural tendency to chew and shred, so an array of durable, safe toys are essential. These include foot toys, foraging puzzles and natural perches for branches. They also include items designed to stimulate problem-solving and keep them mentally active. These toys are made of materials like rope, wood and metal and are designed to be safe for birds, while still being able to withstand the demands of a beak that’s high-risk.

These intelligent birds are curious, friendly and generally happy. They can be sensitive to new environments and prone to stress. They are extremely attentive and pick up on sounds, words and sounds very quickly. Their heightened intelligence can be a double-edged saber; it can create an urge for constant stimulation and sometimes when this requirement is not met, the bird will become stressed and may even begin to pluck its feathers.

Feather plucking is a major problem for owners of Congo African greys and must be addressed immediately. If you’re worried about the behaviour of your pet it’s essential to talk to an avian veterinarian for an examination to rule out any physical causes.

Similar to humans, African greys have a intense need for attention and stimulation and, if not stimulated, they can be bored and unhappy. This could lead to self-mutilation, which is why it is important to ensure that your pet is mentally challenged and happy.

Training

African grey parrots are extremely intelligent birds and require daily interaction and mental stimulation. They can also become attracted to their owners and need plenty of attention. They are not the best pets for people who spend long periods away from home, as they can develop separation anxiety.

These beautiful birds are famous for their ability to imitate human speech and sounds. They can mimic the sound of a phone ringing, dogs barking and even swear words, without even realizing. It is crucial to teach these vocal cues and then link them to specific behaviors such as getting treats.

You can teach them to play with toys, sit on a perch, and interact with their parents on the floor. To keep them content and occupied, they need a variety in their diet. Parrots need to be allowed to leave their cages every day for exercise and exploration. A safe plant and a cage that is escape proof will help to ensure that your pet does not get into anything dangerous. It is important to avoid trimming their wings as it limits the exercise of birds and can impact mental health.

Lastly, routine veterinary care is essential to the health of an African Grey parrot. They should be examined by a Board Certified Avian & Exotics Specialist at least twice a annually to avoid illness and to check for any health issues.