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Caring For an African Grey Parrot African grey parrots, just like toddlers, can become bored easily and require mental stimulation to prevent behavioral issues. They may be destructive or shout if they don't get enough mental stimulation. Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics among all species of parrots and understand human speech. The trade in pet animals and habitat destruction are the main threats to them. Feeding The dietary needs of African greys are a little different from the other large psittacine species. They are omnivorous, but prefer seeds over fruit and vegetables. In captivity, they are more likely to consume fruit and leafy vegetables than seeds. It is also crucial to check the quality and quantity of their diets as they are at risk of overweight and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles should make up 75% of a bird's diet and it is recommended that they are procured from top brands like Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm. Ideally, the diet should contain a mixture of pellets and fresh foods. A good ratio would be 60% pellets, 10% seed and 30% fresh foods. Silverbeet, spinach, and kale are among the best options. The spouting grasses and native plants like dandelion greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. However, you should avoid cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower as they are rich in oxalic acid. This can hinder the absorption of calcium into the body. Nuts provide a lot of 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 an assortment of fruits and veggies. It is best to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include chocolate, alcohol and raw potatoes and coffee. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they could suffer from yeast problems in their digestive tract. A balanced diet is an excellent way to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is essential to keep an eye on the bird's weight, and introduce new food in small amounts. Weighing the bird every day will enable you to swiftly detect any changes and correct them. Offering the bird regularly water is an excellent idea too. This will help prevent the onset of dehydration as well as bacterial infections. Food that is not eaten in the cage or in the play area can be spoiled and cause health issues for your bird. Training Parrots are easily taught to speak. However, it could take them days or even weeks to repeat the words they hear. A well-trained parrot will also respond to cues and perform simple tricks. These activities keep a bird's brain engaged and keep them from becoming bored. congo african grey parrot of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention. It is essential to avoid over-bonding, as a parrot that is too attached to a person may become territorial and aggressive towards others. This can be very dangerous for children, elderly people or those with allergies. To avoid this, everyone in the household must spend time each day playing with the parrot and interacting with it in various ways. This will make the bird more comfortable with being loved by the family and decrease the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior. When a bird is bonded with a single person, it may bite and scratch at other family members or guests who attempt to touch or pet it. To avoid this, family members should each take turns rubbing the bird or placing it in its cage. If a parrot displays aggressive behavior and is threatening to harm another bird, it should be placed back in its cage and not handled for a few minutes. During pet-loving sessions be aware of the areas that are thought to be “blood feathers” or “pinfeathers.” These feathers are a source of blood supply and can bleed when brushed against. If a blood or pinfeather feather is found to be exposed, it must be promptly clipped and replaced with a fresh feather. In addition to petting, family members should be taught how to say goodbye and hello to the parrot. The bird should be taught to identify food items and toys. This will help train the bird to speak and will also enable it to communicate with family members without being physically near them. Health While the African grey is one of the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can get bored easily and will engage in destructive behavior when it is not provided with enough toys or other opportunities to stimulate its mind. It also needs a great amount of mental stimulation in order to avoid self mutilation, excessive screaming and feather picking. Parrots are not inexpensive pets to own The initial costs are high and they require constant new toys that will be destroyed quickly, and food. They are also susceptible to infections that can be expensive to treat. These birds are extremely social and require lots of interaction with humans, such as hours spent playing games, solving puzzles and learning lessons. To stay healthy and strong, they need to spend hours each day exercising and escaping their cage. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It must be safe, clean and made from nontoxic materials. It should have many different types of perches with varying sizes and textures and be able to change them. They also need an roost, typically a wooden post that is tall or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage. Parrots should have access to fresh water at all times and it must be replenished regularly. They should be provided with various dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and should be restricted to not more than 10% of the diet. They should be served a wide range of seeds and nuts as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should comprise approximately 75% of the diet. The majority of parrot-related diseases are the result of long-term dietary imbalance. Minor irregularities will show up as slow growth and development, low quality plumage or breeding performance while more marked changes can manifest as specific diseases. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular check-ups from an avian vet and proper diet management. You can also read about how to care for yourself. African greys need mental stimulation and plenty of attention to be happy. If a parrot becomes bored, it will become depressed and may exhibit negative behaviors, such as aggression, self-mutilation, or feather grabbing. It is important to have regular veterinary examinations as well as fecal screening and vaccinations carried out to ensure your pet stays healthy. African greys are monogamous. They form exclusive pair bonds, incubating eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for the young until they fledge at about 10 weeks of age. They are able to fly and are among the most intelligent birds. They can live a long time and are often able to outlive their owners, making them a popular pet worldwide. They are extremely adaptive and are able to adapt to different environments. However, they prefer a natural habitat with lots of trees and perches. They can also use their feet that are facing backwards and two facing forward on each foot – to aid in to balance and perch, just like humans use their hands. Their beaks are short and have an upper mandible with a curvature that is a perfect fit over the lower mandible to help them crack open seeds and nuts and their strong grip could tear through bark and wood. In the wild, African grays will eat dark leaves, greens, seeds and nuts as part of a balanced diet. Seeds should not comprise more than 5% and be supplemented with high-quality pellets or crumbles to prevent excessive pickiness. They should also be provided with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked beans and legumes. Fresh water should always be available, and cage cleaning is essential every day. If the diet isn't adequate, supplements like calcium or vitamin D may be required. The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to safeguard Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, however, their populations are declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. They are, however, protected by the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest level of protection under CITES. Find out more about these amazing parrots in our parrot dictionary!