Should You Buy a Grey Parrot?

African grey parrots are intelligent birds capable of creating an enduring bond with their human companion. These birds are not suitable caring for an grey parrot pet owners who are new to the hobby as they require lots of attention and exercise to prevent behavioral or health issues.

In the wild, African Greys form groups to carry out their everyday tasks. If left alone or isolated, they can become destructive and feather pluck.

Health

African grey parrots are known to live as long as 80 years in captivity. They are also among the most intelligent species on earth. They are very sociable birds that can speak many different phrases and words. However, they can be very loud and require a lot of mental stimulation. This is the reason it's important to determine if you're able to handle the level of noise from these birds, before you purchase one.

If you choose to purchase an African grey, you need to make sure your lifestyle can accommodate their demands. For instance when you work long hours and are away from home for a lot of the time, you'll need to take a close look at if an African grey is the right choice for you as it's unlikely they would be happy in a space that is solitary and could become bored and destructive.

Take a look at whether you and your family members are prepared to handle the volume of noise that comes from an African gray. They are vocal birds and they make many whistles, calls and loud screeches! This is a part of their instinctual nature and helps them communicate with other flock members in the wild. If they are bored or unhappy, this can lead them to scream and bite.

If you can handle these noises, and allow your African grey plenty of human interaction You will discover that they are very affectionate and sweet. They're also a delight to be around. They're also very loyal birds and will stay with you for the remainder of their lives.

Sadly due to the growing popularity of African gray parrots their numbers in the wild are declining. This is due to the massive capture of these birds for the pet market as well as the destruction of forests in many regions of the range. If you're still determined to get an African Grey, make sure you make sure you purchase from a reputable breeder. They will be able provide you with a Certificate of Annex A (or Article 10 Certificate) that must accompany any Annex A bird when it is offered for sale or purchase.

Training

A parrot can be an excellent companion and can provide a very profound understanding. It can form an emotional bond with you that could last a lifetime. They are intelligent and can learn to whistle, mimic and speak. They can also understand your voice and respond to certain requests and questions. This is an amazing and unique relationship that can be both satisfying and frustrating.

Parrots are and can speak in sentences if taught correctly. In fact they are considered to be one of the smartest birds in the world. They have been kept as pets for thousands of years, and they are very sensitive to their handlers. In the wild they are a target for snakes and big cats. They also have to contend with loss of habitat in several regions of their range.

The bird is a very popular pet in Europe as well as the United States, and the Middle East because of its long lifespan and ability to imitate human speech. However, their population is declining due to excessive trapping for the pet trade and habitat loss in Africa.

They require a high-quality pellet diet, and fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also crucial that they have access to clean water that is fresh throughout the day. Some avian vets suggest the use of dietary supplements, but these should be used with caution.

They require plenty of mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored, and if they don't get enough, they could begin to behave in unnatural ways such as self-mutilation, or screaming. If you are thinking of purchasing an African grey, it is essential to speak with your avian veterinarian before making a purchase.

They love playing with their owners and appreciate puzzles, toys and games. In addition, they need to spend several hours outside their cages every day, and a medium or large cage is essential to have the space they require.

In the ideal scenario in a perfect environment, an African gray should be kept in a group with other birds. They aren't the best companions for children as they can be destructive and bite. They can be territorial and will react aggressively if they feel that their home is under threat.

They can live for up to 80 years in captivity and may be sensitive to changes in their environment. They can become jealous when the baby is added to the family or upset if a new spouse or girlfriend is introduced. If they aren't happy they are likely to shout and chew their own feathers.

Diet

In their natural habitat African greys live in multi-family groups and exhibit altruistic behavior, such as grooming and re-ingestion of food to feed other birds. In captivity, this desire for companionship can be satisfied by providing interactions with other birds through a variety of toys and chewable branches. You can also satisfy this need by providing a healthy diet that includes pellets fruit and vegetables.

Pellets are a vital part of the diet and should represent 75-80% of a parrot's total food intake. They are a very palatable and textured food, and an excellent way to add flavor to the diet. Nuts, seeds and a wide range of vegetables must also be considered. The formulated diets that are available for african grey parrots on sale greys offer the right balance of nutrition, thus reducing the chance of nutritional deficiencies.

In the wild, African Grey Parrot grays are natural foragers. They are able to travel for miles to hunt for grubs or insects on tree bark or various fruits. It is therefore possible that they eat some meat and animal protein, although I have never observed mine exhibit any interest. It is acceptable to give young birds a small portion of cooked drumstick chicken flesh but it should be avoided because it could cause stomach upsets.

Captive parrots need to be fed a diet that is seasonal because the nutritional content of fresh food changes over time. This allows them to enjoy the variety of tastes and textures their wild counterparts enjoy in the jungle, while not paying too much for special products that are not in season.

Vegetables play a significant role in the health of a parrot. A balanced diet should include dark greens like cress, water-grass and kale. Kale, water-grass, and cress are all excellent options. The high levels of calcium found in these plants are essential for the health of parrots. A deficiency in calcium can trigger seizures and feather plucking in some species.

Fruits should be consumed in smaller amounts than vegetables as sugars can cause yeast infections (a common issue for parrots with compromised immune systems) and weight gain. The amount of nutrients in fruits may differ from one country to another, and tropical varieties such as mangos, papayas, and the pomegranates have more benefits than temperate bananas and apples.