Should African Grey Parrot Buy a Grey Parrot?
African grey parrots are intelligent birds that are capable of building a strong bond with their human companion. These birds are not recommended for novice pet owners as they require a lot attention and exercise in order to prevent health or behavioral issues.
In the wild African Greys are in social groups and cooperate with one another in order to complete complex daily tasks. If left alone or isolated, they can become destructive and feather pluck.
Health
African grey parrots are said to live for as long as 80 years in the wild. They are also among the most intelligent species on earth. They are extremely social birds and can learn to speak many different words and phrases. They can be noisy birds that require lots of mental stimulation. This is the reason it's important to think about whether you're able to manage the volume of noise produced by these birds, before you purchase one.
If you do decide to buy an African grey, you need to ensure that your lifestyle can accommodate their needs. For instance If you work long hours and are away from home for the majority of the time, then you'll need to consider carefully whether an African grey is right for you, as it's likely they would be happy in a space that is solitary and could end up becoming bored and destructive.
It is also worth considering whether you and your family can handle the sound levels of an African grey. They are vocal birds and make numerous whistles, calls and very loud screeches! This is part of their instincts, and it helps them communicate in the wild with the other members of their flock. If they are experiencing boredom or sadness, this can lead to them screaming and biting.
The good news is that if you are able to cope with these noises and give your African grey with lots of human contact, you will find them very affectionate, loving and a joy to be around. They are also extremely loyal and will stay with their owner for the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, due to the popularity of African gray parrots their numbers in the wild are declining. This is due to the massive trapping of these birds for the pet market and the loss of forests in several areas of the range. If you are still determined to own an African Grey, make sure you purchase from an established breeder. They can provide you with a Certificate of Annex A (or Article 10 Certificate), which must accompany any Annex A bird when it is sold or offered for purchase.
Training
A parrot is an excellent companion and is capable of an extremely deep understanding. It will form an emotional bond with you that could last a lifetime. They are smart and learn how to whistle, mimic and speak. They can also learn to understand your voice and respond to specific questions and commands. This is an amazing and unique relationship that can be both satisfying and frustrating.
Parrots need constant interaction and care to remain healthy and happy. They are awestruck by playing and learning new things, and they'll become very attracted to you. They will begin to recognize your voice and greet you with a chirp whenever you come home from work or school. They will also become attached to their favorite foods, toys and music.
Many people worry that their pets will become so attached to them that they'll be aggressive towards family members or strangers. This can happen however it is essential to train your parrot from the beginning to be tolerant of all members of the household. This will help stop the pet from becoming too attached to a single person and will also help to teach the parrot to interact with other human beings.
The training should be started as early as you can so that the bird has time to understand the commands. If you begin too late, your bird may have trouble learning to trust you and will become more anxious. You must first teach your pet to recall by walking before introducing it to perform simple tricks.
When you are training your pet it is recommended to use positive reinforcement. You can reward your pet with a small reward after it follows each instruction. This will motivate the birds to follow the command, and also reinforce good behavior.
The African grey bird is a fascinating bird that has an unmatched intelligence and vocabulary. This gorgeous and playful animal will captivate your heart and will become part of your family forever. It is important to remember that the wild populations of these birds is in danger due to the demand for their beauty and talents. They are often taken from the wild by poachers and also affected by forest loss.
Care
African grey parrots develop an intense bond with humans and are highly intelligent. They can learn 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 thousands of years and can be very sensitive to their owners. In the wild they are a target for large cats and snakes. In many areas they also face destruction of their habitats.
The bird is a popular pet in Europe and the United States, and the Middle East because of its longevity and ability to mimic human speech. Their population is declining due to the over-tight trapping of birds for the pet industry and habitat destruction in Africa.
They require a high-quality pellet diet and fresh fruits and vegetables. They also require clean, fresh water always available. Some vets for avian species recommend the addition of dietary supplements, but these must be used with caution.
They need lots of mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored, and in the event that they don't receive enough, they could begin to behave in a variety of undesirable ways like self-mutilation or screams. If you're thinking of buying an African grey, it is essential to speak with your veterinarian who specializes in avian medicine before making a decision.
These animals are a lot of fun to play with and will love toys, puzzles and games with their owners. They also need to spend at least some time a day in their cage, so a medium-sized or a large cage is required to provide them with the space they require.
Ideally the African grey should be kept in a home with other birds. They are not suitable for children who aren't yet of five because they are destructive or bite. They are territorial and can respond aggressively when they feel that their territory is being threatened.
The parrots can live for up to 80 years in captivity and they are sensitive to changes in their environment. They may be jealous of a new baby in the family, or might be upset due to the arrival of a new girlfriend or spouse. If they're unhappy they might scream or chew their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural habitats, African greys live as multi-family groups. They exhibit altruistic behavior such as grooming birds and eating food. In captivity the desire for companionship can be fulfilled by offering social interaction with a variety of toys and chewable branches. You can also address this need by providing a stimulating diet that includes pellets, fruits and vegetables.
Pellets are an essential component of the diet of a parrot and should constitute 75-80% of the total intake of food. They are extremely tasty and have a pleasant texture. They also add flavor to the diet of the parrot. Seeds, nuts and a variety of vegetables should be offered. The diets available for African grays are well-balanced and reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
It is vital to keep in mind that in the wild African greys are foragers in nature and travel long distances in search of grubs and insects from tree bark as well as a vast range of fruits. It is therefore possible they eat some meat and animal protein however I haven't seen my own display any interest. A small amount of cooked chicken drumstick flesh is acceptable, however this should be avoided with young birds because it may cause gastric upsets.
Captive parrots should be fed a seasonal diet because the nutritional content of fresh food varies with time. This will allow parrots to enjoy the full range and textures of the wild rainforest counterparts without having to pay for non-seasonal, special products.
Vegetables play a major part in the health of a parrot's health. A balanced diet should include plenty of dark greens, e.g. Kale, water-grass and cress are all excellent choices. The high levels of calcium found in these plants are essential to a parrot's health. A calcium deficiency can cause seizures and feather plucking among certain species.
Fruits should be served in lower quantities than vegetables, as the sugars may cause yeast issues (a common problem for parrots with immune problems) and can cause obesity. The amount of nutrients in fruits can also vary between countries and tropical varieties like mangos, papayas, and the pomegranates have more benefits than temperate apples and bananas.