Should You Buy a Grey Parrot?
African grey parrots are intelligent birds capable of building a strong bond with their human companion. However these birds aren't suitable for pet owners who are new to the hobby as they require lots of exercise and attention to avoid health or behavioral issues.
In the wild African Greys are social animals that form groups to complete their daily tasks. Left alone or isolated they can become destructive or even feather pluck.
Health
African grey parrots are believed to live up to 80 years in captivity. They are also among the most intelligent species on earth. They can be very sociable and are able to learn many words and phrases. However, they can be extremely loud birds and require plenty of mental stimulation. It is important to consider whether you can handle the volume before you purchase one.
If you decide to purchase an African gray, be sure that your lifestyle is in line with their needs. For instance, if you work regular long hours and are away from home for the majority of the time, you'll need to consider carefully whether an African grey is right for you since it's highly unlikely they would be happy in a solitary environment and could become bored and destructive.
Consider whether you and your family are capable of coping with the noise level of an African gray. They are vocal birds, and they make numerous whistles, calls, and loud screeches! This is part of their instincts and helps them communicate in the wild with their flock members. If they are feeling bored or unhappy, this can lead them to shout and bite.
If you are able to handle these noises, and give your African grey lots of interaction with humans You will discover that they are very loving and sweet. They're also a joy to have. They are also extremely loyal and will be a part of their owners for the rest of their life.
Sadly, the popularity of African grey parrots indicates that their numbers have been decreasing in the wild due to over trapping for the pet trade as well as forest loss in many parts of their range. If you're still keen to get an African Grey, make sure you purchase from an established breeder. They can 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 great companion. It can have a deep understanding. It will form bonds with you that can last a lifetime. They are extremely intelligent and can learn to talk, whistle and mimic. They can also learn your voice and respond to specific instructions and questions. This is a wonderful and special bond that can be both satisfying and frustrating.
Parrots require constant interaction and care to remain healthy and happy. They love to play and learn new things, and they'll be very attached to you. They will learn to recognize your voices and they will often greet you with chirps when you get home from work or school. They will also become connected to their favourite toys, food and music.
Many people fear that their parrots will become so enthralled with them that they'll be aggressive toward other family members or strangers. It is possible that this could occur, but you must train your parrot to accept all members of the family from the very beginning. This will help to stop the parrot from becoming dependent on one person, and will also help to teach the parrot how to be able to interact with humans.
The training should be started as early as you can to allow the bird time to learn the commands. If you start too late, the bird may have trouble getting used to you and may become anxious. The first thing you need to do is to train your pet to recall on foot and then start teaching the bird to do simple tricks.
When training your parrot you should use positive reinforcement. You should reward your pet with a small treat when it has obeyed each command. This will motivate the birds to repeat the command, and reinforce good behavior.
The African grey bird is a fascinating bird with an unmatched intelligence and vocabulary. This beautiful and playful animal will steal your heart, and be a part of your family for the rest of time. Keep in mind that the wild population is at risk due to the demand for these birds' beauty and talents. They are often taken from the wild by poachers, and also affected by forest loss.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
African grey parrots have bonds with people and are highly intelligent. They can learn 1,000 words and speak sentences when taught correctly. They are considered to be among the smartest birds in the entire world. Since thousands of years they have been kept as pet birds. They can be very sensitive to their handlers. In the wild, they are a target for large cats and snakes. They also have to contend with loss of habitat in several regions of their range.
The bird is a sought-after pet in Europe as well as the United States, and the Middle East because of its long lifespan and ability to imitate human speech. Their population is declining due to the over-tight trapping of these birds for pet trade and habitat destruction in Africa.
These parrots need a high-quality pellet diet and fresh vegetables and fruits. It is also crucial that they have access to clean water that is fresh throughout the day. Some vets for avian species suggest the addition of diet supplements, but these should be handled with care.
They need a lot of mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored. If they don't get enough stimulation, they might begin to behave in unintentional ways, including self-mutilation and screaming. It is important to consult your vet before buying an African Grey.
These animals enjoy playing with their owners and appreciate puzzles, toys and games. In addition, they have to spend several hours out of their cage every day, and an enclosure that is large or medium will be necessary for them to have the space they need.
Ideally the African grey is best kept in a home with other birds. They are not recommended for children younger than the age of five, since they can be destructive or bite. They tend to be territorial and respond aggressively when they feel their territory is being threatened.
They can live up to 80 years in captivity and they can be very sensitive to changes in their surroundings. They may become jealous if the baby is added to the family or angry when a new spouse or girlfriend is introduced. If they're unhappy they often cry and gnaw their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural habitat African greys are part of multi-family groups and display altruistic behaviours such as grooming and re-ingestion of food to feed other birds. In captivity this requirement for companionship is satisfied by providing interactions with other birds through a variety of toys and chewable branches. It can also be addressed by offering an enriching diet that includes pellets, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Pellets are an essential component of a parrot's diet. They should constitute 75-80% of its total food intake. They are extremely tasty and have a pleasant texture. They also add flavor to the parrot's diet. Seeds, nuts and a wide range of vegetables must also be included. The diets formulated for African greys are available for African greys provide the right balance of nutrition, thus reducing the chance of nutritional deficiencies.
In the wild, African grays are natural foragers. They are able to travel for miles in search of grubs or insects on tree bark, or a variety of fruit. It is possible that they eat meat and animal proteins, but I have never observed my birds display any interest. A small amount of cooked chicken drumstick flesh could be a good option but it should be avoided with young birds because it may cause gastric upsets.
Discover More Here of fresh foods fluctuates throughout the year and captive parrots should be provided with an annual menu. This will allow them to experience the wide range of tastes and textures that their wild counterparts do in the rainforest, while avoiding over-paying for specialist products that are not in season.
Vegetables are especially important for healthy parrots. A well-balanced diet should include plenty of dark greens, e.g. cress, water-grass, kale and so on. These foods contain high levels of calcium, which are vital to a parrot's health. Deficiency in calcium could cause seizures and feather plucking in some species.
Fruits should be consumed in smaller quantities than vegetables, because sugars can cause yeast issues (a common problem for parrots with immune deficiencies) and can cause obesity. The content of nutrients in fruits also differs from one country to another and tropical varieties like mangos, papayas and pomegranates are more beneficial than temperate apples and bananas.