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Saturday, December 17, 2016

12/17/2016

Why do birds build nests?


It is very common for birds to make nests. Most of the times, birds do this to prepare for the coming little birds. And when the little ones grow old enough to live by themselves, the parent birds will stop making nests. For most of the birds, the nests play a very essential part in the process of welcoming and bringing up the next generation. The following are some important functions of the nests. Read on, you will know why the birds make great efforts in making nests.

The basic function is that the nest can prevent the egg from rolling out and keep all the eggs in roll bulk. In this way, the eggs will not be so easy to falling off and broken. The nest help the birds to make the eggs into a group heaped on a hatchery. And this is particularly important for those birds that can lay many eggs for one time. Only when all the eggs are well protected under the body of the parent bird at the body temperature, the birds in the embryo can have better development.

The second function of the nest is that it can provide convenience for the parent bird to feed the chicks and help avoid the hurt from predators. A lot of birds nest in very secluded place which make it less prone to be found by their enemies. And even, some birds make full use of their flight advantages and make the nest on cliffs or tall tress to avoid attacks.

The last but not the least is that the nest can have good effect on maintaining the optimum temperature that is suitable for the growth of the birds. The first few days after the birds were born, the body temperature of the little birds are not constant, so they need to be kept as warm as the incubation time with the parent bird. More often, the temperature of the nest requires to be 1 to 7 higher than that of the environment.

Generally speaking, nesting behavior is the preparation for breeding the nest generation. To the birds that have been paired, nesting can also stimulate the physiological activities. Although making nests can be complicate action, the nest plays an important role in the whole life and they also pay much more attention on making the nests.
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Saturday, December 10, 2016

12/10/2016

Ten Best Beautiful Parrot Species in the World


Parrot is a very popular bird around the world and also preferred as one of the best pet bird around. Parrots are also called as ‘Talking Bird’ as they are famous for copying the sounds which they listen around them. Even in some cases they are seen to talk like humans. This beautiful bird is mainly found in the tropical and sub-tropical regions with multi color combinations and sizes also vary with species. There are about 372 species of parrots in earth but only few species are preferred as pet choice. Parrots are very beautiful, loyal and intelligent as well. So if you are looking for some information about the parrot species which are good for pet choice, you can scroll down below to get some details in the list.
Intelligent and Friendly Pet Parrot Species
Lovebirds:
Types of Pet Parrots1
If you are first time bird owner, love birds should be your preference. They are very small in size and safe for children at home. They can be socialized and very quiet in nature.
Cockatiel:
Types of Pet Parrots2
A very loyal and playful companion. They can be easily trained and are very good at imitating sounds.
Small Parakeets:
Types of Pet Parrots3
Parakeets comes with a long tail and are found in different sizes, variations, color combinations etc. Some variations of parakeets are very noisy and great talkers.
Parrotlets:
Types of Pet Parrots4

Parrotlets also falls in the category of small parrot species and have almost all the good characteristics of parrots. They are very playful, smart and curious.
Caique Parrot:
Types of Pet Parrots5
Caiques are very moderate in nature with high energy and activeness. They are very friendly towards their family and owner. The size is medium.
Small Conure Parrot:
Types of Pet Parrots6
They are very curious, intelligent and loud birds. Actually conures are a good choice for experienced bird owners. There are various species of conures found around the world.
Lories and Lorikeets:
Types of Pet Parrots7
It is a very unique member of parrot family. Lories have short tails and lorikeets have long tails. They are relative very quiet but playful and active in nature. The color combinations are very attractive.
Large Parakeets:
Types of Pet Parrots8
Like the small parakeets they also have long tail feathers and they have a great talking ability. Some species are very talkative.
Pionus Parrot:
Types of Pet Parrots9
They are very less famous as pets because of their looks. But they are very good choice for the beginners. Their nature is quiet and very less aggressive.
Poicephalus:
Types of Pet Parrots10
A very entertaining and playful member of the parrot family. Some are very good talkers and are intelligent. They have a great sense of humor.
African Grey Parrot:
Types of Pet Parrots12
They are the most popular pet parrots in the whole planet. They are relatively less noisy but very talkative. They can imitate any type of voice and sounds and highly intelligent.
Amazon Parrots:
Types of Pet Parrots13
This species is very independent and will keep you entertained all the time. They can talk and sing both with a great vocal ability. They are very easy to train so good for the first time bird owners.
Small Cockatoo:
Bird Park ("Vogelpark Walsrode") Germany
Cockatoo are normally found in white and black variations and are very loud in nature. At times they will just irritate you by screaming loudly. They are cuddly, loving and very prone to behavioral problems. You should be quiet experienced before going with them.
Large Conures:
Types of Pet Parrots15
This is a very funny species of parrot and stays active all the time. Large Conures are great for experienced bird owners and may be very tough to handle.
Active Eclectus Parrot:
Types of Pet Parrots16
Eclectus parrots are normally very active and intelligent as a pet. They are very good imitators and can even learn a whole song.
Hawk Headed Parrots:
Types of Pet Parrots17
This is also a very unique species like Caique. They need an experienced owner to be handled. They can be good talkers with a good vocabulary skill.
Macaw Parrots:
Types of Pet Parrots18
Macaw is the largest of the pet birds and may live 50 years on an average. They can scream very loud and very large in size as a pet. They can even learn various tricks.
Large Cockatoos:
Types of Pet Parrots19
Cockatoos are very loud and noisy birds. They always prefer cuddling with their owner all the time. They are also very demanding towards the owner.
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12/10/2016

The Best Worst Things about Having a Parrot

Parrots are amazing creatures. They’re beautiful, majestic and intelligent. They can also be quite a handful, especially if you are new to owning a bird as a pet. Before you decide to take the plunge into parrot ownership, consider the follow “cons” that come with sharing your life with a parrot.

Parrots Are Loud!
Oh, what’s that you say? You enjoy spending quiet evenings at home listening to soft music or catching up on your favorite TV shows? You are a big fan of taking relaxing baths or meditating in the sereneness of the early morning?

Yeah, that’s not happening with a parrot – sorry. Birds are loud. They love to squawk, talk and scream, and they’re happy to do it any time of day or night.

If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like the idea of being woken up at dawn (and then getting startled again at dusk) by the musical stylings of a bird, you may want to reconsider bird ownership.

On the other hand, if you don’t mind coming home to and living in a lively environment where you’ll always have someone to chat with, a bird might be right up your alley.

Parrots Aren’t Cheap – to Buy or Take Care Of
Some people think that the biggest expense when it comes to owning a parrot is the cost of the bird itself. While they can certainly be pricey depending on the species and where you get them, the cost of purchasing the bird is but one expense on a never-ending list.

After you’ve purchased a parrot, you will have to immediately invest in a cage, food, and toys. The larger your bird, the larger all of these things will have to be, and the more it will cost.

Once you’ve got the necessities in order, you’ll have to maintain the bird with a constant supply of both food and toys. Many bird owners buy new toys or cage accessories every other week.

Parrots Are Firm Opponents of Privacy
When you adopt a parrot as a lifelong friend, you are essentially saying goodbye to any semblance of privacy that you might have had. No longer will you have the option of sitting in the living room by yourself; gone will be the days where you could move from one room to another without someone flapping (or click-click-clicking) at your side.

If you’re the kind of person who needs to have “your space”, a cat might be your ideal pet. On the other hand, if you love the thought of constant companionship and always having someone nearby that you can coo at, a parrot sounds like the perfect match.

A word of warning here: there are certain areas of your house where parrots should never be allowed to go. These areas include bathrooms, the kitchen, the garage and anywhere near a door that leads to the outside world.

Bathrooms, for example, are hazardous to birds because they present drowning and choking risks. The kitchen is unsafe because of cooking fumes, which can harm a parrot’s respiratory system.

If you think that you can escape your bird (at least for a little while) by high-tailing it to one of these areas, you’d be right, but keep in mind that the longer you are gone, the louder and more obnoxious your feathered friend will be in its calling and screaming for you.


Parrots Poop Non-Stop (Just About)
There is simply no two ways about it: birds poop all the time. From the moment they wake to the moment they go to sleep, these winged wonders need to do their business every 10 to 30 minutes.

The reason birds use the restroom so often is two-fold: flight and a fast metabolism. In the wild, birds spend a lot of time flying around, and they need to be as light as possible for the best results – hence the “unloading” of extra baggage, if you will.

This fact, combined with their extremely fast metabolism and constant desire to eat, means that droppings and the sound of droppings are things you’ll have to quickly get used to when you bring home a bird.

Thankfully, parrots are extremely intelligent creatures, and they can be taught to designate an area as their main potty space. While this won’t mitigate your need to clean regularly, it will make it easier. However, be forewarned: parrots, like all pets, are prone to accidents, especially when they are startled or scared.

They Are Also Messy in General
As if the joy of constant pooping wasn’t fun enough, parrots are notorious for being messy in other aspects of their lives as well, such as eating, playing and grooming.

When birds eat, they engage in a behavior known as flinging. Every time they take a bite, you can count on another being flung out of their bowls. Out in the wild, this is actually quite beneficial because it helps with the spread of seeds that turn into plants. In your home, however, it does nothing but create a huge mess – every single day.

In addition to their unique eating habits, parrots also love taking their toys and spreading them out are far as they can manage. And when they groom, they release dust and loose feathers. Also, don’t forget about their once-a-year molting!

Parrots Can Destroy Everything in Sight
If there’s one thing that every bird owner will warn you about, it’s a parrot’s ability to destroy just about anything it can get to. Picture frame corners, wires, books and even televisions are all fair game to a parrot, so if you treasure your personal belongings, it’s imperative that you parrot-proof any area of the house where your pet will be allowed to go.

Parrots are amazing creatures, but they can also be pains in the neck. But, when you really think about, the same thing can be said about just any pet. What you have to decide is how much effort you’re willing to put in. If you can deal with the quirks and habits of a parrot and you’re willing to put in the hard work that’s required for their care, you’ll enjoy a pet and joy that’s unlike any other.
source : urparrot.com
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Thursday, November 10, 2016

11/10/2016

Learn more about Timneh African Grey Parrots

Common Names: Timneh African Grey, Red Tails, TAG
Scientific Name: Psittacus erithacus timneh
Origin: Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Southern Mali,
Relative Size: 11 inches
Weight: 350 grams
Average Lifespan: 30-50 years
Egg Clutch: 3-5 eggs, typical clutch is 3 eggs
Incubation: 28 days


Timneh African Greys in the Wild
Timneh African Greys are originally from the rain forests of Western Africa. These birds thrive in large colonies and are very shy creatures. Unlike South American parrots, these birds do not like to flock with other bird species. Instead, they spend their time mainly with other African Greys foraging for food and eating tender roots and shoots. They are most often spotted at waterholes consuming clay. It is believed that by eating clay, it removes any toxins ingested while in their natural habitat and also provides the birds with minerals.

Because these parrots are popular, these birds are trapped and sold for the pet trade. A trapper who wishes to capture a Timneh African Grey will usually place glue onto twigs and wait for the birds to land. Another method of trapping these birds consists of using nets. These nets are strategically placed to capture the birds as they forage for food along the ground. Once the birds are trapped, they are put into wooden crates and shipped around the world. Most trappers do not put too much effort into ensuring the parrots are properly cared for as they are only seen as a product. For this reason, many die or are badly injured during transportation to other localities.

When breeding in the wild, these birds will pair off and look for a nesting site that is hidden from obvious predators. Usually old trees are preferred as the wood can easily be gnawed by the female and the nest can be constructed to her liking. The female will incubate the eggs while the male stands guard. Both the male and female will feed the babies until the baby birds leave the nest and are weaned. It is believed the juvenile birds will remain with their parents for at least a year before they are left to fend for themselves.

Timneh African Greys in Captivity
African Greys have been kept in captivity for hundreds of years. Though we will never know which was more popular between the two Grey species historically, one thing remains apparent, these birds have been documented all the way back to Alexander the Great and appear to have been as popular then as they are today. In fact, these birds were kept by many prominent historical figures such as King Henry VIII, Queen Victoria, and Marie Antoinette.

In the United States, these parrots are abundant and easy to find. If a person is looking to buy a Timneh African Grey, they can begin by searching within their local bird clubs, bird conventions/shows, or through local classified newspaper ads. These birds are not as expensive as 
their larger cousin and can be readily purchased as handfed parrots.

Timneh African Greys as Pets
Timneh African Greys are wonderful parrots to own. They are smart pets that are often described as being unique in terms of companionship. They form strong bonds with their owners and thrive for attention if handfed and well socialized. These birds do not tolerate being left alone for long periods of time and will become mentally challenged if ignored. If an owner wishes to purchase a Timneh African Grey, they should be prepared to incorporate the bird into their daily lives. If an owner only minimally interacts with their bird, this could be extremely detrimental to the parrot as they need a lot of attention.

Like the Congo African Grey, these birds are smart and are deemed as supreme talking parrots. They seem to say the right things at the right time and many owners claim their birds know what they say. Some birds start talking around five months but most will start around eight months. Just before the bird actually talks, they go through a babbling stage. During this time, the bird owner should be encouraging the bird to talk and the owner should praise the bird for whistles, anything that sounds like talking, and/or gibberish.

Timneh African Greys begin talking sooner than the Congo African Grey. Most will pick up a few words between five and six months of age. Over a year’s time, a parrot’s vocabulary can grow to hundreds of words.

It is important the owner not purchase a bird based solely on the parrot’s talking possibilities because not all African Greys will learn to talk. Some African Greys just never learn to mimic humans and this often leads to disappointment by the owner. When this happens, the bird is usually ignored. The bird should be picked for its personality and cherished as a pet. If the bird happens to talk, then this should be viewed as an extra perk.

Timneh African Grey parrots can be loud but not as loud as their cousins the Conures or the Amazons. Some owners can even get away with owning a Timneh African Grey in an apartment setting. These birds should be expected to vocalize during the early morning, noon, and before sunset.

Many owners are often misled as baby Timneh African Greys are quiet at first. As the bird matures it becomes much more vocal and many owners can find this to be irritating. These contact calls are natural to the bird but can be minimized. At times, some birds go on to become excessive screamers and it’s up to the owner to work towards decreasing this type of vocalization.

Talking Ability: Superior
The Timneh African Grey looks very similar to the Congo African Grey. Many people who are new to parrots find it difficult to differentiate between the two species as they look very similar. The more obvious difference between the two parrots is that Timneh Greys are smaller and darker in appearance and also have a smaller black beak with a beige patch located on the upper portion.

Like their larger cousins the Congo African Grey, these parrots also have white eye patches that surround their eyes. Their eye pupils are yellow and black giving these birds a striking appearance. Their wings lack color but showcase many shades of charcoal gray and black. When in flight, lighter shades of gray and white can be seen giving these birds an angelic look. Their feet are large and bulky compared to their bodies and are always tucked back underneath their bodies when in flight.

These birds are not sexually dimorphic. This simply means the males and females cannot visually be differentiated. If an owner or breeder wishes to know the sex of their parrot, the best way is through DNA testing. This is achieved without surgery as only a few feathers are needed from the bird to determine the bird’s gender.

Unlike most parrots, these pigeon-sized birds do not come in many colors. In fact, some Timnehs might have an occasional red feather on their chest area or on their thigh. Although not as colorful as other parrots, these birds are still sold at a normal price. Not much effort has been placed into developing mutations for these particular birds; however, this could be due to the fact that most sought after are their larger cousins.

Handling a Timneh African Grey
In general these birds do not enjoy heavy petting and are very similar to Asiatic parrots. They would much rather interact with their owners only by being carried on a finger or a shoulder without too much touching. Although it is generally thought that these types of birds don’t enjoy much petting, there are some birds that have been well socialized and do enjoy human contact. In this instance, it’s good to pet and touch the parrot as they like this type of affection. It is important the owner understand every bird is different and has its own personality—some are more affectionate than others. The best time these birds enjoy extensive petting is usually before bedtime or early morning.

Feather Picking
It is a well-known fact that Congo African Greys are prone to picking their feathers if neglected. Timneh African Greys, on the other hand, seem to be much more resilient in this regard and many owners almost never have to deal with this problem as these birds can be a bit more independent.

Though we will never know why these birds do not pick their feathers as readily as their larger cousins, there is one major theory as to why the Timneh is less prone to this problem. The major theory is based on the notion that Timnehs are required to be independent sooner than their Congo cousins. For this reason, they are better suited to accept change and are perfectly fine being much more independent. It is believed Congo Grey parents will remain with their offspring for at least a year, while the Timneh remains with their parents for only about six months before being independent.

If a Timneh African grey should pick its feathers it needs to be seen by a veterinarian. An avian veterinarian will do extensive blood work and rule out any bacterial infections, metal poisoning, or parasitic infections. If the bird returns with a clean bill of health, an avian behavioral consultant should be called to help remedy the problem if the problem persists.

Breeding Timneh African Greys
Timneh African Greys are not too difficult to breed. Most will breed readily if they are given the proper amount of privacy and time. These birds tend to nest during the winter and prefer to nest when it’s cooler. Probably the only difficult part about breeding Timneh African Greys is finding a pair that is compatible. Most Timnehs are sexually mature around four years of age and this would be a great time to introduce a pair for breeding. The best breeders are those parrots who have been raised by their parents or Timnehs that are not too tame.

Some African grey breeders will allow their parrots to remain in large flights until they have paired. Once they have bonded, the breeders will separate them into breeding compartments as this increases their chances for successful breeding. Many Timneh African Greys will produce two clutches of babies per year if given the chance.

A Timneh African Grey nesting cage should be suspended from the ground as this provides added security. The cage should be about 3 feet wide, 4 feet in height, and at least 4 feet in length. A stable perch should be used as this ensures a successful mating encounter. Timneh African Greys prefer deep nests. For this reason, a boot shaped nesting box should be used as the female will most likely nest as far she can inside the box. Wood shaving should be placed on the bottom for padding as the female will not add any nesting material to her nest.

It is important the owner do not disturb the birds as Timneh African Greys will abandon their nests if they feel threatened in any way. A good sign the female has laid eggs is when she remains inside her box throughout the day and only emerges to feed or to go to the bathroom. When this behavior is observed, the owner can expect the eggs to hatch within 28 days.

A typical clutch of eggs is three; however, some female African Greys may produce up to five white eggs. The female will usually start sitting once the second egg has been laid.

Once the food consumption starts to increase this is usually a great indicator the babies have hatched. The owner should then peek inside the box when the mother leaves the nest to feed and such. Most owners will keep the babies with their parents for at least 15 to 20 days before the babies are removed for hand feeding. All the babies need to be removed at the same time as the mother will abandon her nest if the babies are selectively removed.

Once the babies have been removed from their mother and the hand feeding has begun, this process can expect to take about three months. The babies will need to be fed continually until they are weaned and have learned to fly. The person hand feeding will also need to put a great deal of effort into socializing the parrot to ensure that the bird will make a wonderful pet once sent to another owner.

Selecting a Cage for your Timneh African Grey
Timneh African Greys are moderately sized compared to most parrots, but they do require larger cages. These parrots exert a great deal of energy when playing, eating, preening, and bathing. If the right cage is selected from the beginning it might be able to last the parrot throughout its life.

The cage should be as large as the owner can afford and should not be smaller than 3 feet in width, 4 feet in length, and 5 feet in height. This seems to be adequate and provides enough room to house the parrot without making it feeling too confined.

A great cage is one that has been powder coated and has a smooth surface finish. This makes cleaning the cage a simple task. These parrots are quite messy and a wet cloth is all that is needed to effectively remove food from the bars and bowls.

The bars of the cage should be sturdy and not be spaced too far apart as the parrot can easily get its head caught between them. Most pet shops will have their cages shelved according to the size made for the parrot. If the owner feels doubtful, a pet shop owner will be able to assist them and determine if the cage is sufficient for their Timneh.

The bottom of the cage needs to have a grill installed. This grill is important because the bird will be separated from its droppings, spilt food, or soiled paper. Obtaining a cage with a slide-out tray should be a feature of the cage as this makes for easy removal of unwanted material that has dropped and makes for easy daily cleaning.

The cage needs perches made of hardwood, ceramic bowls, and sturdy toys. All these items need to be suspended inside the cage. It is important toys are never placed above eating stations due to the parrots droppings.


Feeding a Timneh African Grey
TimmnehAfricanGreyCandyFeeding your African grey is not difficult. These birds pretty much eat anything we give them so it’s important to understand what is not to be given to a bird as it can be poisonous and detrimental to the parrot. The foods that should never be given are avocado, chocolate, large quantities of onions, or alcoholic beverages.

Foods that are healthy and should be incorporated into the bird’s diet are leafy greens such as spinach, kale, dandelion leaves, or mustard greens. Other healthy vegetables that are nutritious are broccoli, cabbage, or cauliflower.

Beans and legumes are perfect although they should never be given in raw form to the parrots. These need to boil until cooked and can be given with pellets or mixed into a salad.

Not only are vegetables enjoyed by these parrots, but fruits are also a treat. The owner can make fruit kabobs with mango, papaya, kiwi, oranges, lemons, or apples. It is important all uneaten fruit be removed on a daily basis to be sure it does not spoil or attract ants to the cage.

Protein should be given sparingly. These birds enjoy cooked chicken, turkey, beef, or pork. Some Timnehs will hold a chicken drumstick with one hand and eat the flesh from the bone then chew the bone for the marrow.

Because these birds enjoy foraging for food within their cage, owners should hide the food throughout the cage as this gives the bird something to do and keeps them entertained.

If properly fed, a typical Timneh Grey can live to the rightful age of around 50. Most will live well into their 30s.
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Monday, November 7, 2016

11/07/2016

Learn more about the African grey parrot

Common Names: Congo African Grey, Red Tails
Scientific Name: Psittacus erithacus erithacus
Origin: Ghana, Zaire, Congo, Cameroon
Relative Size: 12 inches
Weight: 500 grams
Average Lifespan: 30-50 years
Egg Clutch: 2- 5 eggs, average is 3 eggs
Incubation: 28 days
Talking Ability: Superior

CONGO AFRICAN GREY
African Grey parrots are not colorful compared to other parrots. In fact, they are mostly all gray and look as if they have been dusted with soot. The only color that can be seen on these birds is the bright red color located on their tails. Nevertheless, these parrots are striking specimens that showcase hues of charcoal gray and white throughout their bodies. When in flight, their black wing feathers are exposed and their true elegance can be seen.
These graceful parrots have large black beaks. Their eyes, surrounded with bare patches of white skin, reveal bright yellow irises and prominent black pupils. For the most part, these birds cannot be sexed visually and therefore need a DNA test to determine their true gender. However, some experienced African Grey breeders are able to determine the sex of the birds as the males tend to have elongated skulls, larger beaks, and are larger in comparison to the females.
Unlike budgies and lovebirds, which are prized for their large assortment of color mutations, African Greys do not come in vibrant colors. There are some birds that will have a few red feathers throughout their gray bodies; however, most breeders do not charge for this rare occurrence.
In small quantities, double factored African Greys are available; however, these birds are not usually sold as pets but kept for developing more mutations. Double factored African Greys have a red band of feathers on their chests and backs with an occasional cluster of red feathers on their heads and wings. If two birds of this same mutation are paired for breeding, they can produce solid red colored African Greys. This is such a rarity that it is highly unlikely they will be seen any time soon as pets. 

TOYS FOR A CONGO AFRICAN GREY
These parrots require a play stand. It is important the owner designate an area for the parrot to swing, chew its toys, or climb. The stand should be made of metal or a hardwood as the parrot will quickly destroy it. Some owners will suspend ropes with attached toys from the cage ceilings. This seems to be highly enjoyed by the parrot as this quickly brings out the acrobatic side of the African Grey and allows them to swing and play.
Other items that should be used periodically are foot toys. These are clusters of wood, leather, or beads tied together so the parrot can spend its time chewing on it and breaking the toy apart.
 
FEATHER PICKING
Unlike the Timneh African Grey, Congo African Greys seem to be more prone to feather picking. The reason for this remains a mystery, but there are common factors reported such as stress, loneliness, boredom, or a poor diet. The problem can be difficult to remedy once the parrot has started. If an owner should have to deal with this destructive behavior, the Grey should immediately be taken to a vet to rule out any bacterial infections, parasite invasions, or metal toxicity. If the blood work appears to be normal, the owner should look for other ways to simulate the bird or change its diet as the parrot may be malnourished. Feather picking is a complex issue and varies with each bird. If this is occurring, each bird needs to be evaluated as to how to correct the problem.
 
AFRICAN GREYS IN THE WILD
African Grey parrots are native to Western and Central African Rainforests. They live in dense jungles and are difficult to observe as their native habitat is difficult to trek. Ornithologists, who are lucky enough to study these magnificent parrots in the wild, find African Greys easiest to observe near forest openings comprised of hideouts made of forest branches and palm fronds. Once the birds do arrive, they can be spotted foraging together by the hundreds. They will nervously wander about the ground whistling, playing, and eating clay.
Though the exact reason is unknown why the parrots eat the clay, it is believed it provides extra minerals as well as detoxifies the parrot of any toxins ingested while in the forest. Along with the clay, these birds feed on shoots, tender plants, fruits, blossoms, and nuts.
Little is known about the parrots’ breeding habits in the wild. What is known is that during the breeding season, these birds will separate from their flock into pairs. The bonded pair will seek an older tree to nest in and it is believed they prefer darker locations. The female will prepare the cavity and expand it to her liking while the male stands guard. He will feed the female while she is incubating the eggs. Only when the chicks are old enough to produce their own warmth and the food demands increase, will the mother help to feed the chicks. The babies fledge around nine weeks. Thereafter, they will remain with their parents until they are independent – estimated to be around one year.

AFRICAN GREY’S IN CAPTIVITY
African Greys have been kept in captivity for hundreds of years. Next to the Indian Ringneck parrot, these birds were documented by the Greeks and Romans. These smart feathered friends have been kept by famed people such as King Henry VIII, Queen Victoria, Marie Antoinette, Angelina Jolie, and Hue Hefner.
African Greys are popular throughout the world and are continuing to spread as more people are discovering their talking abilities. In truth, the demand is so great that constant trapping of these parrots, as well as habitat destruction, have reduced their wild numbers to mere thousands. Trappers often use nets installed on the ground, or sticks covered in glue, to catch these birds. Once caught, many are stuffed into wooden crates and sold. Very few survive this traumatic treatment as the overall goal of the poverty stricken trapper is to make money and the parrot’s basic needs are neglected.
Thankfully, laws have been implemented in the United States and Europe stopping the importing of these birds. For this reason, many breeders have established healthy stocks for the pet trade. These parrots can easily be found and their prices are still not too expensive within the United States and Europe. Other countries, such as Australia, have very few of these parrots available and for this reason they can cost a great deal more.


CONGO AFRICAN GREYS AS PETS
Like all parrots, African Greys are smart. They have been deemed the supreme parrot as their talking ability is superior. Quite frankly, no parrot can match the clarity, tone, or cognitive capability of the African Grey. These parrots seem to say the right things at the right time. Most pet Greys are extremely perceptive of the activity inside their home. For this reason, many African Grey parrots will know when their owners leave and return from work. In response to this daily schedule, they will greet them with a “hello” while franticly climbing about their cage waiting to be held. These birds can develop large vocabularies and many quickly learn to associate words with actions, toys, or activities.
It should be said that though African Greys are masters when it comes to talking; however, not all will do so. Many people purchase these birds hoping to have a talking parrot but then become disappointed if the parrot never learns to talk. The outcome is usually grave for the parrot because owners tend to ignore them if the birds don’t talk as expected. If this happens, it can result in serious psychological damage to the bird. These birds do not tolerate neglect as most will resort to plucking, self mutilation, or neurotic behaviors.
An owner who has just purchased a baby African Grey should note the first few years of the parrot’s years are critical when being introduced into the household. Proper socialization techniques should be used to ensure the parrot develops into a healthy bird that can tolerate stress. A great deal of effort should be made to expose the bird to new people, environments, toys, and foods. The parrot should also be taught to play alone as this seems to be the most common source of stress in handfed Greys. The bird should only be praised and rewarded for behaviors desired and negative behaviors ignored.
African Greys are not cuddly parrots such as cockatoos, lovebirds, or conures. Instead, they enjoy being perched on their owner’s shoulders. They seem to be perfectly content watching the world as long as they are near their owners. Watching television, reading a book, or working on the computer is a great way to spend time with an African Grey.

BREEDING CONGO AFRICAN GREYS
Congo African Grey parrots are not as difficult to breed as they were before due to existing established colonies and because many first time breeders find these birds to be enjoyable. It is important that research be done before pairing up these birds for breeding. This upfront research will help to minimize any complications down the road. For example, a female grey might not feed her babies upon hatching and immediate action is then needed to remove the babies to ensure their survival. Each breeding pair is different and only after a few breeding seasons and some trial and errors, will the owner be able to best pair their Greys.
Pairing Congo African Greys successfully can be a little tricky. Some breeders will let their Congo African Greys choose their mates while others will pair the birds and wait to see if they have any chemistry. The best African Greys for breeding are those who have been around other birds and are not too tame. If a bird has been tamed and seeks only human interaction, the chances of it breeding successfully can take many years. It is important to note that some tamed Greys may never become successful breeders as they are too interested in human interaction and thus makes them poor breeders.
Congo African Grey parrots are monogamous and will mate with their partner for life. Once the pair has bonded, they will continue to nest, preen, and live together throughout their long lifespan.
Before any parrot is placed into a breeding program, both birds should be in optimal health. Their eyes should be clear, their feathers pristine, and they should be sexually mature. Most Congo Greys reach maturity around four years; however, very few successfully raise a family before three years.
Their cage should be at least six feet wide, five feet high, and have a width of about six feet. It is also important the cage be suspended as this gives the birds more security. The cage frame should be made of metal as wood will quickly be chewed and the cage destroyed. The location of the cage should be placed in such a way the birds have enough privacy when breeding. Probably one of the most common reasons a pair of Congo Greys can’t successfully breed is due to a lack of privacy. Too much noise, attention, or other birds seems to hinder the birds from breeding.
Along with privacy and the proper cage, an L shaped nesting box should be provided. The box has proved time and time again that the birds like to nest deep into the box as this makes the chicks more difficult to remove by predators. Normal deep boxes can be used, but L shaped boxes seem to be more effective.

Grey Parrot On Stand
When the female Congo African Grey has successfully laid her eggs, the babies can be expected to hatch within 28 days. The female can lay as many as five eggs; however, the standard seems to be three eggs per clutch. The eggs are white and about the size of a walnut. An egg is produced every other day and incubation usually begins once the first or second egg is laid.
 
BREEDING SEASONS
Most parrots in general are triggered by seasonal events that stimulate breeding. Congo African Greys are no different. They prefer nesting in cooler months with less daylight while in captivity. For this reason, most Congo Greys start gearing up to breed around October in the United States. If kept outdoors and the birds are allowed to cycle through their normal breeding routine they can successfully produce two sets of babies per year.
If the pair is kept indoors, these birds can breed throughout the year. Many breeders will increase the amount of food as this helps to stimulate the hen to breed. If sufficient amounts of food are not present, the pair will most likely avoid breeding altogether. Whatever method is used, the hen should be given enough time to rest as too much breeding will deplete her minerals and will shorten her lifespan.

Nesting & Hatching
The temptation might be great for new breeders to inspect the nest weekly if eggs are laid or if chicks are believed to have hatched. This is not a good idea as this will most likely cause the female to abandon her nest. Instead, the breeder should look for signs the chicks have hatched as the female will only leave the box to go to the bathroom, look to see if more food is consumed, or listen for slight chirping sounds from baby chicks. Once these signs are obvious and about one month has passed since the first egg was produced, the box can be inspected. Doing this sooner could be disastrous.
The babies should remain with their mother for at least 15 days. This seems to be enough time to get the proper nutrients and ensures they will be healthy once they are juveniles. All the babies must be pulled for hand feeding as the mother will stop feeding the other chicks if only one is removed.
The babies will start to nibble on solid foods around eight weeks and start to wean around ten weeks. Some Congo Greys will wean around 12 weeks if housed alone. The breeder should continue to feed the chicks until they are fully weaned. Breeders should not deprive the chicks of food in order to make them start feeding independently. The chicks will eventually start eating on their own. Each chick is different and each chick will wean when it is ready. The breeder should wait at least one week after the bird is weaned before it is sent to its new home. The new owners should also practice spoon feeding their parrot as this will come in handy if medications are needed.

CONGO AFRICAN GREY CAGES
Congo African Greys are acrobatic parrots. They love to swing from their toys and climb around their cages. Swinging seems to be such an enjoyable past time that most Congo African Greys will hang upside down and talk while delighting in this activity. For this reason, they need a great deal of space to burn off their extra energy.
The owner should always purchase a cage as large as their budget can afford. A cage that’s four feet in length, three feet in width, and 4 feet in height will do for starters. If possible, the cage should have a play stand installed on top of the cage as the bird will enjoy many hours there as well.
The cage should be powder coated and some cages can last 20 or more years if properly maintained. The bottom of the cage should have a grill to ensure the parrot does not have access to spilt food, droppings, or any of the bacteria that resides there. A tray that can easily slide out for cleaning is important as this will need to be emptied and cleaned daily.

FEEDING YOUR CONGO GREY
Probably one of the most important aspects of keeping any African Grey is maintaining a proper diet. These birds do not do well on diets only consisting of seeds. In fact, a diet only comprised of seeds offers little nutrition and will cause serious problems down the road such as seizures due to a lack of calcium or problematic ailments due to a lack of Vitamin A.
These birds need to be feed a base diet of seeds, avian pellets, vegetables, and fruits. These various foods should be rotated daily to provide the various nutrients that are needed to keep a bird healthy. African Greys seem to like different textures, colors, and tastes in their foods. Do not be afraid to experiment with a variety of foods.
Weekly cuts of fresh broccoli, kale, and spinach should be given to keep calcium levels up. Other sources of calcium can be found in Brazil nuts, almonds, flax seeds, and oranges. Many owners will make shish kabobs with steamed squashes such as pumpkin, zucchini, butter nut squash, cooked sweet potatoes, carrots, or cantaloupe. Brightly colored peppers such as bell peppers, jalapenos, Anaheim chilies, Fresno peppers, or Poblano peppers are enjoyed as well.
Approximately once or twice a week, the bird should be given some form of protein such as chicken or turkey. African Greys are opportunistic feeders and will eat anything we eat. It is important the food not be processed as this will make the bird overweight.
Foods that should never be given to an African Grey are chocolate, avocado, onions, or alcohol. These food items can make the parrot ill and lead to its death.
If a Congo African Grey is fed the proper diet, most can reach into their mid thirties without problems—some have even been recorded to live well into their fifties.
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