Hes a 6-year-old Congo African Grey owned by Nancy Gallegos from Illinois, U.S. Felix was able to construct logical words and statements. Not only do bird keepers love this intelligent bird, it's one of the most recognizable species to bird novices as well everyone knows the African grey parrot. african grey parrot male and female difference, Difference between male and female african grey parrot, at what age do african grey parrots start talking, Description of the African Grey Parrot baby, how long does an african grey parrot live, how to feed parakeets fruits and vegetables, Conure lifespan in the wild and in captivity, How to Get Rid of Mites on Parakeets at home, The reproduction of the Catherine parakeet, All Different Types of Green Parrots (with Pictures). Its larger than the Timneh, measuring 14-16 inches with a wingspan of 18-20 inches. He learned about 50 object names and over 100 words in the English language. The Congo and the Timneh are the two principal sub-species of the African Grey parrot. These parrots arent the best bird choice for beginners because theyre brilliant and need a lot of mental stimulation. Many birds enjoy bathing every day, which is beneficial because it can make their feathers and skin look healthier. Provide lots of toys and foraging materials, Common Health Problems of African Grey Parrot. Dull plumage may indicate poor condition. I Want My Free Ebook On Egg Laying Chickens, Origin and Natural Habitat of African Grey Parrot, African Grey Parrots Behavior and Personality, Talking Abilities of African Grey Parrots. Keeping a grey 10 African Grey Parrot Care Facts Read More It is the part of the palate that serves as a barrier between the throat and the nasal passages. It is a very curious bird that loves to learn and go to discover However, it quickly gets tired of an activity. The bird plucks or plucks its own feathers. Without strong socialization, all that is not familiar to the bird automatically refers to the first category. They also have a sensitive nature and can be very demanding. They are also slightly smaller in size. Bird Filter Profile Pics. 'Timneh Grey' sub-species from the Ivory Coast, are a slightly darker grey with a maroon tail, and a lighter coloured beak. A commonly asked question is, do African parrots get jealous?. Wingspan: 18 to 20 inches. Improving its diet and providing more vitamins and minerals should reduce this behavior. Birds aged 2 to 5 are most commonly affected. However, raising a young parrot is more challenging than keeping a fully grown one. Crooked beak/crooked toenails. feathers underneath the tail are dark red. Newspaper is the safest material for lining your parrots cage, as its easy to replace. African greys make excellent pets because of their affectionate nature and intelligence, but theyre considered high-maintenance birds. He might need some more trimming off as the lower part can get quite elongated. Different formulas are based on your parrots age and medical conditions. Hypocalcemia is a very complex condition in birds, in part, because of the role of secretion of the uropygial gland, a gland unique in many birds, not found in any other group of animals. Leave it to air dry for several hours. Flying is the best source of exercise for parrots, and exploring the room is entertaining. Head bobbing in parrots may imply theyre afraid or anxious to go somewhere. After a year, the iris fades and turns pale gray, then takes on its final color. - This bird died in my tree more than a month ago but is still hanging on. Rafiki has a great sense of humor and a vast vocabulary. Your vet may prescribe vitamins, supplements, or probiotics to boost your parrot's immune system. Wingspan: 13 to 15 inches And now he is currently practicing other skills like counting and the alphabet. The species is largely frugivorous, eating seeds, nuts, and fruit from multiple genera, including Bombax, Ficus, Macaranga, and Raphia, with a special preference for the fruit of the . For advice from our Veterinary co-author, like how to inspect your parrot's feathers for signs of the disease, keep reading. The calcium level is then too low (hypocalcemia), and birds can die from this condition. This guy is a Timneh African Grey. When he closes his beak he still has about a 3mm gap on the side. Parrots preen, Mental stimulation is a critical component of care for African grey parrots. African grey parrot price will vary depending on the type, age, and gender, but you can expect to pay around $500 to $4,000 for a best-in-class, quality bird from breeders. Most African grey parrots sleep on perches, so newspaper is only required to keep the bottom of the cage clean. Clinical signs are incoordination, imbalance (such as falling off the perch, convulsions and seizures. Furthermore, it restricts airflow and makes the birds feel stressed because they feel trapped. Taking care of an African grey parrot with Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) can be challenging for loving pet owners. African greys are the most intelligent of the parrot species. To keep the little hamsters fed (who, in turn, run tirelessly to keep the lights on), we partner with trusted brands as their affiliates. However, these parrots can withstand anything up to 29-30 degrees. It didn't bother him though, and he was so good and patient when I did it. He may favor the person he prefers to the point of excluding all other family members. Beak growths need to be biopsied and/or removed as well, to determine what they are and how they should be treated (e.g., with chemotherapy, radiation, etc. Therefore, there is a significant risk of inducing bleeding when an overgrown beak is trimmed. Their primary coverts are dark grey to almost black, and the wings are darker. Rinse off the cage with a hose, removable shower head, or a wet sponge. It isn't really bad luckily. However, it all comes down to your parrots personality. You must log in or register to reply here. Once I was grown and learned more about birds, I was pretty sure his beak was like that due to heavy metal poisoning and liver damage. Thanks for the quick reply. It is the commonest cause of seizures and central nervous disease in the breed so it is important to be aware of it. Sometimes, an African grey's feathers are trimmed all at once by the groomer or veterinarian, so don't hesitate to ask for a very mild trim and return more frequently for "maintenance" trims. Furthermore, the European Union banned the importation of wild-caught African Greys in 2006. Beak abnormalities and possibly nail abnormalities also occur. When purchasing a parrot, it is advisable to have the bird tested for the above diseases and make an appointment with the seller to return the bird if something is wrong. book, you will be able to decide if an African Grey Parrot is right for you or not. Its contagious. hi every one about 2 months ago we got our african gray from my grandpa who passed away. They can pronounce some words and mimic sounds earlier, but the real talking and chatting begin later. On the other hand, because of his almost schizoid suspicion, the problem with gray talking is that he systematically refuses to perform, (even when asked politely), in the presence of strangers (not immediate family). Bird beaks come in a wide variety of shapes, styles and sizes. They also entertain themselves by tearing up pieces of newspaper and dropping their food. Also, African greys are notorious for picking out their favorite seeds (usually sunflower seeds). 4.9. Congos typically reach between 12 and 14 inches in length. Accepting reservation on these beautiful Male Eclectus babies!! If the lower beak grows too fast the beak can't close properly and there will be a gap. There are so many things to discover about this species. After a bird veterinarian has determined that there is no physical cause, you can hire a parrot behavior therapist to help you resolve behavioral problems. Lack of socialization in early childhood is the most common cause of behavioral disorders in an adult parrot. Only supportive treatment available. These birds nestle and thrive in savannas, coastal mangroves, dense forests, and edges of forest clearings. Conclusion. Chewable toys come in a wide range of styles and designs . Infected birds may show symptoms such as loss of appetite, fluffy . So, youd have to clean their cage daily, replace their food and water and provide durable toys and perches. Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) is the enormous toucan bird (and probably most famous), with black body plumage, white throat, chest, upper tail covers, red under-tail covers, and a huge yellow-orange beak (15.8 - 23 cm). Our 7 month B&G has a crooked beak, she was born with it. #3. Birds use their beaks for numerous things, so anything could go wrong with it at virtually any time. African greys are friendly and enjoy spending quality time with their owners. In all the above cases and if you have any doubts about the health of your parrot, it is advisable to contact an avian veterinarian as soon as possible. Size. Give your African Grey a 1/2 cup of parrot pellet mix and 1/4 cup of fruits daily. You can tell by the bone color of the beak instead of the black that a Congo has. Supplementing the parrots diet with calcium and Vitamin D, and providing access to natural light are important factors in preventing this problem. A well-powdered bird is a sign of good health. Features of African Greys. Features. Caring for this kind of parrot can be costly too. Dull feathers/feathers with unnatural banding. Please Login or Register. A lifespan of 60 years in captivity, and barely 25 years in the wild. (eg ostrich = 5 breath/breath cycles per minute versus 97 cycles in robin) according to its activity: obviously, this frequency increases strongly during the flight or during a strong emotion. If your bird loses appetite, has difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly, sneezes and coughs, is inactive, and has a bluish tint on the skin and mucous membranes, its best to bring him to the vet immediately. It's important to watch them as they age for things like foot problems, eye problems, and calcium issues (as others have told you). The African grey is a medium-sized parrot with a bare facial patch. Pellets should make up around 70% of their diet. When theyre unstimulated, they turn to feather plucking to self-soothe. She came running to me when the vet put her on the table, so luckliy she doesn't blame me. If you look closely, many silver feathers have the same white tips as the darker ones, giving the impression of having a white-scalloped edge. Getting African greys to bond with other humans takes time and effort. "Blushing" refers to the white patch of skin turning pink on grey parrots. Now that you know how to trim a bird's beak, you can address this . Then adjust the amount based on his appetite. Parrots are light sleepers, so turn off all TVs and electrical devices to avoid disturbances. Profile Pics. Identify the disease by observing your parrot for signs and visiting your veterinarian. There may be several reasons for this. Are . In addition, as the first reflex of a scared bird is to fly away, more than other parrots, the gray needs all its flight feathers. They will be weaned on a healthy diet of organic pellets and vegetables. Other smoking substances such as cleaning products, scented candles, deodorant or flea spray, as well as cigarette and cigar smoke, can also be harmful to birds. When you are away, the parrot should be in its cage or in a dedicated room adapted to its needs. It is also in the beak that the entrance of the airways is located, the inside of the beak must be free of any rest (food or other).Under normal conditions, a parrot must have the beak closed. They typically weigh in at about 16 ounces. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Its another respiratory infection that affects African Greys and spreads to humans. Ignoring bad behavior is another effective technique. Sammy, my CAG's lower beak has been growing upward and he is unable to close his beak all the way. Accepting reservation on these adorable White bellied caique babies!! The cage should therefore not be in the kitchen, but also think, for example, of gourmet stoves! Hes the only bird who has ever asked his owner what color he was. African gray is rightly considered the champion of all categories in the avian world. Award-winning photographer Rohan Shah, 15, has demonstrated why sports and photography are intertwined. African greys usually start talking when theyre around 12 or 18 months. She does not get anesthesia for her dremeling. They enjoy puzzles too that contain treat and challenge their intellect. Please visit our website for full detailed info on these babies -- www.Jcaviary.com . So, they usually start screeching to get your attention and check up on you. Take him outside for sunshine, if you can. So, you may wonder, how much does an African grey cost? Iris color is black for the first 4 months of age, but changes fully to yellow by 4 years old. A parrot affected by the disease will begin losing feathers, and the feathers that do grow in will be abnormal, according to Avian Biotech.