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Caring For an African Grey Parrot African grey parrots, like toddlers, can become bored easily and need mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems. Without it, they may be destructive or start screaming. They are extremely intelligent and can mimic human speech. The trade in pet animals and destruction of habitats are the biggest threats to them. Feeding The diet requirements of African greys differ from those of other large psittacines. While they are omnivorous in the wild, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables. In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to eat fruits and seeds. They are also prone to calcium deficiencies and obesity which is why it is essential for pet owners to check the quality of their diets. Pellets or complete crumbles are suggested to comprise 75% of a bird's daily diet. Ideally the diet should comprise a mix of pellets and fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Some of the best choices are spinach, kale, silverbeet, pakchoi, broccoli, carrots and sweetcorn. Also, native plants and sprouting grasses such as dandelion leaf, endive and sweetcorn are beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage, as they contain high levels of oxalic acid, which may hinder calcium absorption in the body. Nuts are rich in nutrients, but they should be eaten in moderation due to their high fat content. They are a source of protein as well as healthy fats, and a few vitamins and minerals. The rest of your diet should consist of the combination of fruits and veggies. Avocado is harmful to Psittacines. Other common toxic food includes chocolate, coffee, alcohol and raw potatoes. If a parrot is consuming too many fruits, they could develop yeast problems in the gastrointestinal tract. A well-balanced diet is a great way to keep an African grey parrot happy and healthy. It is essential to monitor the bird's weight, and to offer new foods in small amounts. It is recommended to weigh the bird every day so that any changes can be easily observed and corrected. Regularly offering the bird water is an excellent idea too. This will prevent dehydration and bacterial infection. Unfinished food in the cage or in the play area could spoil and cause health problems for your bird. Training Parrots are easily taught to speak. However, it might take them days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A parrot that has been trained well can also perform simple tricks and respond to cues. These activities keep the bird's mind engaged and keep them from becoming bored. Boredom can cause undesirable behaviors, such as feather picking or destructive chewing. These issues require intervention from a professional. It is essential to avoid over-bonding because a parrot that becomes too attached to a person can become territorial and agressive towards others. This can be dangerous for children, the elderly or those with allergies. To avoid this, everyone in the family must spend time each day playing with the parrot and interacting with it in a variety of ways. This will make the bird more comfortable with being touched by members of the family and lessen the possibility that it could develop an overprotective behavior. A parrot that is attached to a single person will usually start biting and pecking at other family members or visitors when they try to pet it or even touch it. To prevent this from happening, family members should each take turns petting the bird or placing it in its cage. If a parrot exhibits aggressive behavior it should be returned to its cage for a short time and not handled until it is calmed down. During the petting sessions be aware of the areas that are considered “blood feathers” or “pinfeathers.” These feathers have a blood supply, and can be bleed if they are touched. If a blood or pinfeather feather is exposed, it should be immediately clipped and replaced with a new feather. Family members should also be taught how to greet and say goodbye to the bird. They should also be taught to teach the bird how to label items, such as toys or food items. This will help train the bird to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with family members, without having to be physically close to them. Health While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots in the world, it is bored easily and will resort to destructive behavior when it is not provided with enough toys or other opportunities to exercise its mind. It also requires a lot of mental stimulation to avoid self-mutilation, feather picks, and excessive screams. Parrots aren't cheap pets to own The initial costs are expensive and they require a constant supply of toys that will be destroyed quickly, plus food. They also are susceptible to infections and can be costly to treat. These social birds require plenty of interaction with their humans, including hours of playtime with games and puzzles as well as lessons. To remain strong and healthy they must exercise for hours a day and escaping their cage. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move freely from perch to perch. It should be constructed of non-toxic, non-toxic substances and clean. It should be equipped with several perches with different heights and textures so that the birds can move between them. They also require an roost, typically a tall wooden post or a concrete perch in the corner of the cage. The parrots should have clean water available and this should be changed daily. They should be fed a variety dark leafy greens and vegetables and treats should be limited to 10% of their diet. They should be provided with a wide range of seeds and nuts as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should constitute around 75% of a diet. The majority of the problems with parrots are the result of long-term dietary imbalance. Minor irregularities can manifest as poor growth, bad plumage quality or breeding performance. More severe changes could be a sign of specific disease-related entities. Many of these can be avoided by regular check-ups by an avian vet and proper diet management. You can also learn how to take care of yourself. African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention in order to be content. If gizmo the grey parrot becomes bored, it can become depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. To ensure your pet's health it is vital to regularly undergo veterinary exams, fecal testing and vaccinations. African greys form monogamous couples and lay eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for their young until they are around 10 weeks old. They can fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They live long and often outlive their human owners, which makes them popular pets worldwide. They are highly adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural environment with lots of trees and perches. They can use their feet to balance and perch – with two facing back on each foot, and two facing forward on each foot, exactly as humans do. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible which fits over the lower. This allows them to break open seeds, nuts and wood. In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts, seeds and dark leafy greens as part of their balanced diet. Seeds should not make up more than 5% of the total and be supplemented with high-quality crumbles or pellets to prevent excessive pickiness. Also it is recommended to provide a variety fresh vegetables, fruits and cooked beans and lentils. Fresh water should always be available, and cage cleaning is required daily. Supplements like vitamin D and calcium may be necessary if your diet is not nutritionally complete. The World Parrot Trust is working tirelessly to protect Grey & Timneh Parrots and their habitats. However, their populations 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 incredible parrots in our parrot dictionary!