Once they've been taught operant conditioning and positive rewards, African greys are very easy to train. Pet owners who aren't experienced might be overwhelmed.
These intelligent birds require constant attention, free-of-cage exercise, and enrichment with games, puzzles and lessons. They are prone to stress and display self-harming behaviors.
Cage
African greys are highly intelligent and require regular mental stimulation. They are fond of playing with toys, interact with humans, and are able to learn new phrases and tricks. In the wild, these birds require an excellent cage with plenty of play areas to expand their wings. It is crucial to have a large living space to ensure their health and wellbeing. They should also be allowed to explore and exercise their surroundings every day.
The cage should have a minimum size of 2x2 feet and be at least 3 feet tall to allow the bird room to fly. The cage should have a comfortable perch and a secure door. The cage should not contain any chemicals, fumes or poisonous plants that could harm the bird. Wing clipping should be avoided since it may hinder the bird's ability to exercise and impact its mental health.
A healthy African gray diet is a mixture of pellets, fresh fruits vegetables, and small quantities of seed. To strengthen their beaks they should be given various toys made of leather that can be chewed. Foraging toys should be made available to stimulate them to explore the environment.
The food is best fed on a regular basis and removed after it has been consumed. Fresh water should be always available. To minimize the risk of contamination, a water dish should be put within the cage. A bathing routine should be followed to keep the parrot clean and assist in shed.
African greys are easily stressed by the noise and commotion around them Therefore, it is recommended to keep the cage in a quiet corner of the house rather than the focal point. If the bird is not satisfied with its surroundings it can become depressed and display self-destructive behavior such as feather plucking or screaming.
Food
African greys are omnivores found in the wild and consume a wide variety of foods including leaves, bark, fruits, insects and seeds. Captive birds generally consume pellets formulated for them and fresh vegetables, seeds and fruit. Some owners also offer their birds a small amount protein from cooked chicken or other meats, however it is generally not recommended as it may be too fat-rich and cholesterol for the bird.
These intelligent animals require constant mental stimulation as well as exercise and attention. They frequently exhibit self-harming behavior if they do not get enough of this. They can imitate voices, whistle and sing.
They are prone to calcium deficiency (hypocalcaemia) and require a high-quality diet rich in calcium to avoid the problem. Many experts recommend that you provide them with a specialized parrot pellet with more calcium than the standard diet. They should also be provided with diverse foods that are high in calcium as well as other micro-nutrients like watercress, kale, cress, dandelion greens, cabbage, sprouts, endive, arugula and cauliflower.
They also are susceptible to vitamin deficiencies, particularly Vitamin A and Vitamin D. They can be corrected by feeding diverse fruits and vegetables, including those rich in beta-carotene such as sweet potatoes and fresh kale. Soluvite D and Multivet are good supplements that contain Vitamins A &