African Grey Parrot Species Bird
Description of the African Gray Parrot
African grey parrot has been pets for hundreds of years—there are data of those birds as family pets in biblical occasions. It has an interesting skill for the purpose and uncanny expertise for precisely mimicking phrases and phrases. It may also perceive human speech, which has helped to catapult this hen to stardom in analysis circles and pet commerce. A well-trained African gray can study a whole lot of phrases, phrases, and sounds.
Species Overview
COMMON NAMES: Grey parrot, African gray parrot, Congo gray parrot, Congo African gray parrot
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Psittacus erithacus
ADULT SIZE: Measuring about 13 inches, weighing just below 1 pound
LIFE EXPECTANCY: On common, 40 to 60 years in captivity
Origin and History
The African gray parrot is native to the equatorial areas of Africa, together with the nations of Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. The species’ favored habitat is dense forests, however, additionally, it is often discovered on the edges of forests and in open savanna areas.
Temperament
African grey parrot is essentially the most clever of the parrot species. Many develop to be extraordinarily candy and affectionate towards their house owners, and the species is understood for being fairly sociable.
However, an African gray that’s bored or uncared for is a sad hen. A depressed or indignant hen will screech its discontent. You should present the hen with a lot of psychological stimulation.
A very smart hen can be a posh hen. Although it is rather social and calls for interplay, it’s not essentially a cuddly hen. Some of those birds are inclined to change into “one-person” birds, even when house owners make each effort to socialize them with all family members.
Speech and Vocalizations
Pet African greys choose up on phrases and sounds in a short time. One African grey parrot has even “blown the whistle” on a lady’s love affair by repeatedly calling out the opposite man’s identity in the entrance of her husband and utilizing the dishonest spouse’s voice.
Like toddler kids, African grey parrot has a fame for repeating every part they hear. So, it is sensible to observe your language around these birds. Greys are adept at choosing up and repeating any sounds they like, together with squeaky doorways, automobile back-up chimes, fireplace alarms, microwave alert bells, and phone ringtones. Owners should be vigilant about what these birds hear—as soon as a sound is discovered, it’s troublesome or not possible for the hen to “unlearn” it.
The African grey parrot is just not often called a loud screamer. It may be appropriate for house owners residing in residences or condos, though uncared for birds could scream their dissent for being ignored and might get noisy.
African Grey Parrot Colors and Markings
The African grey parrot, true to its identity, sports activities principally gray feathers, some with a superbly skinny, pale edging. There are two subspecies, Congo and Timneh greys. Congos are a few third bigger than Times. Congo African greys boast shiny black beaks and shiny pink tail feathers, whereas Tinmeh greys have horn-colored mandibles and deep maroon tailfeathers.
You can inform men and women aside as soon as the birds attain adolescence, at the very least 18 months of age. A male African gray’s tail will stay stable pink, whereas a feminine’s pink tail feathers change into tipped with silver. The undersides of a male’s wings change into darkish, whereas a feminine’s stay gentle. Other delicate intercourse variations embrace: a male may have an extra slender, narrower head, whereas females are inclined to have longer necks, with bigger, rounder heads. If these variations are too delicate for you, you may get a definitive reply with a surgical sexing process or a DNA take a look at.
Caring for an African Grey Parrot
The African grey parrot is a medium- to large-sized parrot that wants enough residing area. Minimum cage measurement ought to have a 2-foot by 2-foot footprint and three ft in top. Larger cages are preferable.
Without loads of interplay and coaching, an African gray parrot could change into depressed and exhibit self-mutilating behaviors, reminiscent of feather-plucking.
These birds thrive once they have a lot of alternatives for enjoying with toys, interacting with their house owners, and studying phrases and methods. Expect to spend a number of hours every day interacting with and coaching your African gray. Many house owners report that African greys get pleasure from having tv or radio taking part in when they’re left alone.
African grey parrot are mentioned to be considered delicate and simply affected by stress and commotion. They could also be extra relaxed if the cage is positioned in a quiet nook of the room relatively than within the heart.
Common Health Problems
African grey parrot may be liable to feather choosing, calcium deficiency, vitamin-A and vitamin-D deficiency, respiratory an infection, psittacosis, and psittacine beak and feather illness.
Vitamin deficiencies may be prevented by ensuring your hen eats a wide array of fruits, in addition to greens excessive in beta-carotene, reminiscent of cooked candy potato, and recent kale.
Feather-picking is often the signal of a bored hen that isn’t receiving sufficient psychological stimulation, consideration, or train.
Diet and Nutrition
In the wild, African grey parrot eat fruits, leaves, buds, bark, and flowers. The greatest meals for an African gray in captivity is a high-quality, formulated pellet supplemented with fruits reminiscent of pomegranate, natural mango, and melon. Also, present recent greens, together with leafy greens like arugula, watercress, kale, sprouts, and wholesome seeds reminiscent of hemp and flaxseed. You can premake chop, a salad for birds, that can assist hold your African gray parrot wholesome and thriving.
Many greys additionally get pleasure from a wide range of treats and snacks, reminiscent of nuts and wholesome desk meals like steamed inexperienced beans, breakfast toast, and salad.
Offer you hen a half cup of pellet-based parrot combine and a 1/Four cup of vegetables and fruits every day and modify the amount in keeping with their urge for food. Remove and discard all uneaten recent meals by the tip of every day.
Exercise
Adequate quantities of exercise are essential to sustaining the well being of an African gray parrot. Pet greys ought to be allowed to spend at the very least 1 to 2 hours out of their cages every day with vigorous train and ensure to offer them with loads of bird-safe chew toys to assist train their highly effective beaks.
Pros
Social, pleasant, though don’t like being cuddled
Intelligent, can converse and perceive a whole lot of phrases and phrases
Cons
Requires a whole lot of consideration and psychological stimulation
Tend to be one-person birds not the best household pet
Where to Adopt or Buy an African Grey Parrot
Contact a neighborhood breeder and see should you can meet with them and their pets to see first-hand how these birds work together in a house atmosphere.
Breeders promote African greys within the vary of $2,000 to $4,000. Signs you must keep away from the breeder embrace cramped residing situations, inactive birds, and breeders who keep away from your questions or don’t appear to have a lot info on their birds. Rescues, adoption organizations, and breeders the place you will discover African grey parrot parrots embrace.
