Blog entry by Lino Croteau
Should You Buy a Grey Parrot?
African grey parrots are intelligent birds capable of forming bonds with their human companion. However these birds aren't suitable for pet owners who are new to the hobby as they require a lot of attention and exercise to prevent health or behavioral issues.
In the wild African Greys form groups to accomplish everyday tasks. If they are left alone, they can be destructive or feather pluck.
Health
congo african grey parrot grey parrots have been known to live up to 80 years in captivity and are among the world's smartest creatures. They are very social birds and can learn to speak many different words and phrases. However, they can also be quite loud birds and require a lot of mental stimulation. It's important to think about whether you can handle the noise level before purchasing one.
If you choose to purchase an african grey parrot adoption grey, you need to make sure your lifestyle can accommodate their needs. For instance when you work long hours and are away from home for a large portion of the time, you'll have to think carefully if an African grey is right for you as it's unlikely they would be happy in a solitary environment and could become bored and destructive.
You should also consider whether you and your family can handle the sound levels of an African grey. They are vocal birds that emit a lot of calls, whistles and loud screeches. This is a part of their nature and helps them communicate with other flock members in the wild. If they are unhappy or bored, this can lead them to screaming and biting.
The good news is that if capable of coping with these sounds and give your African grey with plenty of human contact then you'll find them to be affectionate, loving and a joy to have. They're also extremely loyal and will stay with you for the remainder of their lives.
Sadly due to the growing popularity of african grey parrots for adoption gray parrots their numbers in the wild are dwindling. This is due to the massive capture of these birds to the pet market as well as the loss of forests in many parts of the range. If you're still keen to own an African Grey, it is best to only buy from a reputable breeder. They will be able 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 wonderful companion. It can show profound understanding. It will develop a bond with you that can last a lifetime. They are very smart and can learn to speak, whistle and mimic. They also learn to understand your voice and respond to certain requests and questions. This is a very special and wonderful relationship that can be satisfying and also frustrating.
Parrots are a very active bird and they need constant interaction and attention to keep them happy and healthy. They will eventually fall in love with you and be a part of your company. They will learn to recognize your voices and they will often greet you with chirps when you come home from work or school. They will also become attracted to their favorite toys, food, and music.
Many people are afraid that their pet birds will become so attached to them that they'll be aggressive towards other family members or strangers. It is possible however it is essential to train your parrot from the beginning to be tolerant of all members of the household. This will stop the parrot from becoming too attached to one individual, and also help train the parrot to be able to communicate with others.
It is important to start the training as soon as possible so that the bird can learn the commands. If you begin training too late, your pet will have a difficult to establish trust and will become more anxious. You must first teach your pet to remember by walking, before introducing it to perform basic tricks.
When training your pet it is recommended to use positive reinforcement. This means that you will reward the bird with a small treat for every command it obeys. This will motivate the birds to follow the command and reinforce good behavior.
The African grey bird is an intriguing bird with a unique intelligence and vocabulary. This adorable and playful bird will captivate your heart and will become part of your family forever. It is crucial to keep in mind that the wild populations of these birds is threatened due to demand for their beauty and talents. Poachers are often able to remove them from the wild and forest loss is another cause.
You can also read about how to care for yourself.
African grey parrots have a strong bond with people and are highly intelligent. They can learn as much as 1,000 words, and they speak in sentences when correctly taught. In fact they are considered to be one of the most intelligent birds in the world. Since the beginning of time, they were kept as pet birds. They can be extremely sensitive towards their handlers. In the wild, they are a target of snakes and big cats. They also face loss of habitat in a variety of areas of their range.
A popular pet bird in Europe, America, and the Middle East, this bird has a long lifespan and can mimic human speech. Their population is declining because of the over-tightening of these birds for the pet industry and habitat destruction in Africa.
The parrots require a high-quality pellet diet along with fresh fruits and vegetables. They should also have fresh, clean water available at all times. Some veterinarians recommend adding nutritional supplements to the diet however, they should be used with caution.
They need lots of mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored, and if they don't get enough stimulation, they may begin to behave in a variety of undesirable ways, such as self-mutilation or screaming. It is important to consult your avian vet before purchasing an African Grey.
They are a lot of fun with their owners and will appreciate puzzles, toys and games. In addition, they have to spend several hours out of their cage every day, so the use of a large or medium-sized cage is required to have the space they require.
Ideally the African grey should be kept in a house with other birds. They are not suitable for children who aren't yet of five because they can be destructive or bite. They can also be territorial, and will retaliate aggressively when they feel their territory is under threat.
They can live to be as old as 80 years in captivity, and are prone to being sensitive to changes in their environment. They might become jealous of a new baby in the family, or might be irritated due to the arrival of a new partner or spouse. If they're not content they may scream, or gnaw at their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural habitat african grey parrots sale greys are part of multi-family groups and exhibit altruistic behavior, such as grooming and regurgitation of food to feed other birds. This requirement for companionship in captivity is met through social interaction with a variety of chewable toys and branches. It can also be addressed by offering a stimulating diet, including pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Pellets are a crucial component of the diet and should comprise 75-80% of the diet of a parrot. They are a highly palatable, textured and tasty food that is can be a fantastic way to add flavour to the diet. Seeds, nuts and a wide variety of vegetables should be offered. The diets for African grays are balanced and reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
In the wild, african grey parrots on sale grays are natural foragers. They can travel long distances in search of grubs or insects on tree bark, or various fruits. It is therefore possible they will eat some meat and animal protein, although I have never observed mine display any interest. It is acceptable to offer young birds a small portion of cooked drumstick chicken flesh, but it should be avoided as it can cause stomach upsets.
Captive parrots need to be fed a diet that is seasonal because the nutritional value of fresh food varies over time. This will allow them to experience the full range of flavors and textures their wild counterparts relish in the rainforest, whilst making sure they don't pay too much for specialty products that aren't in season.
Vegetables are particularly important for healthy parrots. A well-balanced diet should include plenty of dark greens, e.g. cress, water-grass, and kale. These items contain high levels of calcium, which is vital for parrots' health. A calcium deficiency can cause seizures and feather plucking among some species.
Fruits should be consumed in lower amounts than vegetables, as the sugars can contribute to yeast issues (a frequent problem in parrots with immune deficiencies) and cause overweightness. Fruits may differ in their nutritional value depending on the country. Tropical fruits such as mangos, papayas and pomegranates contain more nutrients than bananas and apples.