Friday, January 16, 2009

African Grey, the Popular Talking Parrot


The African Grey is the most popular talking parrot, made famous in part by Einstein, the well known talking parrot. If you are thinking of keeping a parrot as a pet, you might want to consider an African Grey. They mimic sounds better than the other species, and are considered more intelligent. They can live up to 65 years of age, so you have plenty of time to teach it new words or sounds as they become your lifelong companion.

The African Grey is a social bird that needs a fair amount of interaction with humans to stay emotionally healthy. You should place the cage in the area of your house where there is human activity or interaction, like the living room or the dining room. Let the bird out of its cage and be handled by different people so that it will get used to being with humans and not be wary of them or be timid.

When not in the company of humans, provide your bird with a variety of toys to stimulate itself with. Purchase only toys from reliable brands that are safe from any lead content, because the bird does a lot of biting. You don't want any toxic material to get into the bird's system and harm its health and its ability to talk and sing. Use also natural wood perches for the bird to bite and chew. You will need a large cage for the bird's comfort and movement, so be generous when you purchase one. There are plenty of models and sizes to choose from at the pet store, so consider the space that you have in the house or apartment, and choose the best that suits you and your bird's needs.

The diet plan for an African Grey is fairly simple. Give your parrot a daily offering of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the usual pellets and seeds from the pet shop. Avoid giving your bird processed, fat-laden food such as cakes, pies, or chocolate. And give it a constant supply of water.

Bathe your bird frequently for good hygiene and look out for signs of diseases or feather plucking. Join an African Grey owners club if there's one in your area, or if not, on the internet and share experiences. You will find a lot of help and tips from like-minded individuals. But do find out the nearest veterinarian and take your bird there for a yearly check-up.

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