African Grey Parrots As Pets - What To Expect And What Your Parrot Will Expect From You

The African Grey is a large parrot renown for its intelligence and ability to imitate and, some believe, understand the human language. If you choose a Grey as a pet you will be following in royal footsteps as King Henry VIII of England owned one, but you will also be making a lifetime commitment as most have life spans that range between 50 and 65 years. Considering the following information as you make your choice will help you decide if this is the bird for you, and if so, will result in a happier relationship between you and your Grey.

Social Needs--This is a bird that needs a fair amount of social interaction to stay healthy emotionally and mentally. It should be placed in an active part of your home so that it can observe all that goes on. It also needs to be allowed out of the cage for at least an hour each day and given one on one human interaction. Introducing a variety of people will keep them from being wary of strangers and will allow them to bond with those other than the main caregiver.

Toys and Housing--Because they are so intelligent, they need to be in a stimulating environment that includes a variety of toys that are rotated frequently, toys that they can tear apart without injury, and toys that contain food or treats that they must work to remove. They need a large cage that is at least 4 feet long by 3 feet deep and 3 feet high with a solid back, or that is placed against a wall to provide a feeling of security. They should also have perches in the room that they can use when they are out of the cage. Allowing your parrot to spend time out of the cage insures a happier and healthier bird-both physically and mentally.

Life Stages--If you are planning to acquire an African Grey as a baby parrot, know that they have a fairly long maturation cycle which spans approximately 10 years. It is important that during these first 10 years obedience training is a regular part of your daily routine. This can prevent your Grey from becoming destructive and aggressive with humans and other pets upon maturity.

Food--Diet should consist of pellets, a minimum of seeds, and daily offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables (organic is best). Avoid chocolate, avocado, garlic and onions, rhubarb, caffeine, alcohol as they are toxic to your bird. Birds are lactose intolerant, so since they are unable to digest dairy products they have no nutritional value and should be avoided. If you have questions about your Grey\'s diet, consult an avian veterinarian before giving any food that you are unsure about.

Maintenance--African Greys are considered a dusty bird because they produce a fine white powder that goes airborne when they shake or ruffle their feathers. This will require bathing your bird more often, and cleaning the cage more often that a less dusty bird. Using an air purifier near the cage will greatly eliminate this dust.