Blog entry by Beatris Drummond
Should You buy a grey parrot (Click at Federatedjournals)?
african grey parrot baby for sale grey parrots are intelligent birds capable of forming an enduring bond with their human companion. They are not suitable 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 social animals that form groups to accomplish everyday tasks. Left alone or isolated they can become destructive or feather pluck.
Health
African grey parrots are believed to live up to 80 years in captivity. They are also among the most intelligent species on earth. They are very sociable birds and can learn to speak many different words and phrases. However, they can also be extremely loud birds and require lots of mental stimulation. This is the reason it's important to consider whether you're able to cope with the volume of noise produced by these birds, before you purchase one.
If you decide to buy an African gray, ensure that your lifestyle is compatible with their requirements. For instance, if you work regular long hours and are away from home for a large portion of the time, then you'll need to consider carefully whether an african grey parrots sale grey is the right choice for you as it's unlikely they'd be content in a space that is solitary and may become bored and destructive.
You should also think about whether your family and you can cope with the noise levels of an African grey. They are vocal birds and they make lots of whistles, calls, and loud screeches! This is a part of their natural instincts, and it helps them communicate in the wild with other flock members. If they are unhappy or bored it can cause them to screaming and biting.
The good news is that if you're able to cope with these sounds and give your African grey with plenty of human contact, you'll find them sweet, loving and a joy to own. They're also extremely loyal and will stay with you for the remainder of their lives.
Sadly, the acclaim of African grey parrots has meant that their numbers have been declining in the wild due in part to excessive trapping for pet trade and the loss of forests in a lot of their range. Despite this, if you do have your heart set on owning an African grey then you should always purchase an animal from a reputable breeder who is capable of providing you with an Annex A Certificate (or Article 10 Certificate) which is required with any Annex A species when being sold or offered for sale.
Training
A parrot can be an excellent companion and is capable of a very deep understanding. It will form a bond with you that will last for a lifetime. They are very smart and can learn to speak, whistle, and mimic. They can also learn to speak and respond to specific instructions and questions. This is a very special and amazing relationship that can be both rewarding as well as frustrating.
Parrots require constant interaction and attention to stay happy and healthy. They will eventually fall in love with you and will become a part of your company. They will begin to recognize your voice and greet you with a chirp every time you come home from school or work. They will also get very attached to their favorite toys, food items and music.
Many people fear that their pets will become so enthralled with them that they'll act aggressively towards other family members or strangers. It is possible that this might occur, but it is best to train your parrot to be tolerant of everyone in the family from the beginning. This will prevent the parrot becoming too attached to one person, and will help train the parrot to to interact with other people.
The training should be started as early as possible, so the bird has time to understand the commands. If you begin too late, the bird may have a hard time learning to trust you and will become more anxious. The first thing you should do is to teach your pet to remember on foot and then begin training the bird to perform simple tricks.
Positive reinforcement is the best method of training your parrot. You can reward your pet with a small treat when it has obeyed each command. This will motivate the bird to repeat the command and it will reinforce good behavior as well to punish poor behavior.
The African grey bird is a fascinating bird that has an unmatched intelligence and vocabulary. This gorgeous and playful animal will steal your heart, and will become part of your family forever. Be aware that the wild population is in danger because of the demand for the birds' beauty and talent. Poachers frequently take them from the wild and forest loss is another reason.
Care
african grey parrot birds for sale grey parrots are intelligent and form an intense bond with humans. They can learn 1000 words and speak in sentences when taught correctly. In fact they are considered one of the smartest birds in the world. Since the beginning of time, they have been kept as pet birds. They are extremely sensitive towards their handlers. In the wild, they are a target for snakes and big cats. In many areas they also have to contend with destruction of habitats.
The bird is a popular pet in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East because of its long life span and ability to imitate human speech. Their population is declining due to the over-tight trapping of birds for pet trade and habitat destruction in Africa.
The parrots require a high-quality pellet diet, and fresh vegetables and fruits. It is also important that they have access to clean, fresh water all the time. Some avian vets suggest the addition of diet supplements, but they should be used with caution.
They need a lot of mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored. If they don't receive enough stimulation, they might begin to act out in inappropriate ways, including self-mutilation and screaming. It is crucial to speak with your avian vet before purchasing an African Grey.
They are a lot of fun to play with and will love games, toys and games with their owners. They also need to spend at least a few hours each day in their cage which is why a medium-sized or a large cage is required to give them the space they require.
Ideally the ideal African grey is best 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 react violently if they feel that their territory is under threat.
They can live to be as old as 80 years in captivity, and can be sensitive to changes in their environment. They may become jealous if a baby is added to the family, or upset if a new spouse or girlfriend is introduced. If they're not happy, they may scream or gnaw their own feathers.
Diet
In their natural habitat African greys reside in multi-family groups. They exhibit altruistic behavior, like grooming and the regurgitation of food to feed other birds. In captivity this requirement for companionship is fulfilled by offering interactions with other birds through a variety of toys and chewable branches. It can be addressed by providing an energizing diet, which includes pellets, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Pellets are an essential part of the diet and should make up 75-80% of the diet of a parrot. They are extremely tasty and have a pleasant texture. They also add flavour to the diet of the parrot. Nuts, seeds, and a variety of vegetables must also be considered. 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 by nature and travel great distances searching for insects and grubs from tree bark as well as a vast variety of fruit. Therefore, it is possible that they may eat meat and animal proteins however I haven't seen my own display any interest. A small amount of cooked drumstick flesh is acceptable, however this should be avoided with young birds as it could cause gastric upsets.
Captive parrots need to be fed a seasonal diet due to the fact that 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 out-of-season, specialist products.
Vegetables are especially important to a healthy parrot. A well-balanced diet should include plenty of dark greens, e.g. cress, water-grass, kale and so on. These items contain high levels of calcium, which is vital to a parrot's health. A deficiency in calcium can lead to seizures and feather plucking in some species.
Fruits should be offered in lower quantities than vegetables, since the sugars may cause yeast problems (a common issue for immune-compromised parrots) and cause overweightness. The content of nutrients in fruits also differs from one country to another and tropical varieties such as mangos, papayas, and pomegranates are more beneficial than temperate bananas and apples.