Ten Common Misconceptions About African Grey Parrots For Adoption That Don't Always Hold
African Grey Parrots For Adoption If you are thinking of adopting an African Grey Parrot, be sure to think about your needs and lifestyle for this amazing bird. Always consult an Avian veterinarian for health checks on your bird. Many birds are rescued due to financial hardships, death in the family or moving. They can also be unwanted pets of those who do not have enough time to properly take care of them. Care African Grey Parrots are among the most intelligent birds in the entire world. They form a strong bond between themselves and their human companions. They require lots of time and attention. If you are thinking about adopting a parrot, the first step is to go to your local rescue agency. They can provide you with lots about the character and health of the bird and they could also offer classes on how to care for your new pet. These intelligent birds can be extremely sensitive and aware of their human's emotions. They can also learn to talk, and will often imitate the sounds and words of their human handlers. Many African Grey Parrots are placed in shelters after their previous owners have suffered financial hardships, moved, experienced a death in the family or simply stopped taking care of them. This could cause the African Grey parrot to be depressed, and result in them becoming destructive and threatening. In addition to the time and attention they require, African Greys also require an extensive amount of social support. They can be noisy and don't want to be in their cages more than a few hours a day. They also require plenty of activities and toys to keep their brains busy and occupied, food that is high in protein, space to fly, and a steady daily routine. Buddy was a companion bird at her previous home, but she was forced to go into foster care due to the health issues of her owner. She requires a guardian who is comfortable administering twice-daily medication and will stay at home with her to meet her high level socialization needs. This bonded pair, Chickee and Hatcher, have been in foster care for the majority of their lives. They require a guardian that will be with them throughout the day to meet their socialization needs. They have been microchipped and DNA sexed. If you are interested in this dynamic couple, you will need to have your own house and have a large room available in which to construct an environment that is cage-free for them. see page can develop an enduring bond with their owners. They are among the smartest birds on the planet. They are not suited for novice pet owners and require a lot of time spent with their human with a wide variety of games and puzzles to keep their minds busy with plenty of space to fly and a schedule they can count on. They also can mimic human speech and are extremely vocal in their natural surroundings and travel long distances to find food, mates and resources. If you are thinking of adopting an African grey parrot, think about working with a local animal rescue organization that can provide you with the background and history of the bird. It is also recommended to find a veterinarian that has experience with exotic birds and can provide regular checkups and identify any health issues. Once you have identified a suitable avian companion, start with a basic education. It is crucial to interact with your bird on a regular basis until it feels at ease with you and is able to climb onto your hand or other object if asked. This will reduce biting, flying away and other fearful behaviors. Be gentle and patient when handling your pet. Parrots are very sensitive and will react quickly if they feel anxious or threatened. It is best to work on small, short sessions rather than long drawn out interactions. Once you have mastered basic training techniques, you can move on to more advanced techniques. Many new parrot owners become unhappy when their bird starts to bite, flutter around the cage, and become a brat. Be aware that this isn't an aggressive behavior. It is just the bird testing boundaries. It is part of normal adolescent development. It can be extremely difficult to manage, but if handled correctly it will pass. If you're struggling to train your parrot try using a towel as well as positive reinforcement. This kind of behavior is hard to change however the effort is worthwhile. Only use treats that the parrot loves to train with, because this will encourage it to connect you to positive things. This method requires perseverance and consistency. It may take several months for a parrot to master to associate you with the reward. Feeding African Greys need a well-rounded diet to ensure good health and longevity. A well-balanced diet can help reduce behavioral problems such as aggression and feather plucking by preventing nutritional imbalances and deficiencies. A bird that is fed properly is also more open to training and bonding, because they will feel secure and happy. A balanced diet should contain pellets, seeds, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Pellets are designed to meet the nutritional requirements of birds and should comprise 25-30% of your African Grey's diet. Include seeds such as sunflowers, safflowers, and linseeds into the diet. However, seeds lack micro-nutrients and shouldn't be a major component of the diet. They should be consumed in small quantities as a snack or treat. Fresh vegetables and fruits provide many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and vitamins and should be an integral element of your African Grey's diet. These healthy snacks should be provided at least twice daily and kept fresh. A well-fed parrot is eager to learn and will love chewable toys and branches as a method to stimulate himself. Allergies If you're considering adopting an African Grey baby, be aware that these birds produce a high level of dander, which can cause or worsen allergic reactions in certain individuals. It is recommended to seek the advice of a qualified avian veterinarian, as they will be capable of recommending the most appropriate foods and feeding techniques for your African Grey. Avoid feeding your African Grey any food that could cause harm to him or her. This includes avocados, chocolate, salty or sugary snacks like tea, coffee, onions, garlic and other vegetables or fruits that are known to have toxic effects on birds. It is also important to limit or stop the consumption of dairy products which could cause diarrhea that is runny in your African Grey. If you're unsure of what you can feed your African Grey you should consult a veterinarian who specializes in avian medicine and/or consult with other pet owners. Health African Grey parrots are capable of creating an intimate bond with their human handler. They can learn words, speak sentences, and are a fascinating pet. If you're thinking of adopting one, it's important to understand the health and care needs of these intelligent animals. Our Hopkinsville veterinarians discuss the things you should think about when adding an African Grey into your family. They are extremely intelligent and require constant mental stimulation. They also have to be able to fly and interact with their owners. If the conditions aren't met, African Greys may have behavioral issues, such as depression and feather-picking which can be addressed with medication. They are also susceptible to infections and diseases that are not common in domesticated pets and cats, such as salmonella poisoning or avian flu. Choose a board-certified exotic pet or avian vet who is specialized in psittacines to make sure that your parrot lives a long and healthy existence. Regular preventive examinations and fecal screenings can help your African Grey stay healthy. To ensure your bird's mobility and comfort it is also essential to cut its wings and nails. Parrots are highly sensitive animals that are easily stressed and will react to a variety of circumstances that might not affect the human or other pets. It is crucial to spend lots of time with your cockatoo interact with them, and talk to them in order to establish the emotional bond that is so important to their overall wellbeing. It is also crucial to provide an array of games, toys, and puzzles for your parrot to stimulate their minds and keep them entertained. You might consider adopting an African grey parrot if you're looking for a new addition to your family. These intelligent, social animals are fun to be around and will give you a lot of love and joy. Before committing, do a thorough research about the adoption site you are considering and meet your parrot in person. This will enable you to examine the care methods and environment of the rescue or breeder facility. By being diligent and thorough in your search for an african grey parrot adoption near you, you'll increase your chances of finding a parrot that is worth the effort.