Congo African greys are more affordable than Timneh parrots because they're much easier to source in the pet industry. . Parrots are messy period, just like every other being, including humans, lol. More dark feathers on the abdomen sit over a lighter grey plumage, creating a V shape. However, if you want more than one bird, getting them while theyre both young and raised in the same cage is advisable. And there are approximately 300,000 birds who probably died during the capture or transport. If your parrot stands upright, the wings glued to the body at equal height, the eyelids open and the eyebright then it has a normal attitude. In budgies, crusted-over nose (cere) and/or feet. However, raising a young parrot is more challenging than keeping a fully grown one. Infected birds may show symptoms such as loss of appetite, fluffy . Parrots preen, Mental stimulation is a critical component of care for African grey parrots. They prefer to forage in groups of usually fewer than 50 birds. Its contagious. Thanks. He just doesnt like extravagance, exuberance, and turbulence (from others). The condition is caused by high levels of calcium in the diet. An African grey's beak length is also prone to this and may need trimming. Bird Type: African Grey Parrot; Cockatiel; Bird Cage Type: Floor They are still being hand-fed and fully trained. She does not get anesthesia for her dremeling. Aspergillus grows readily in warm and moist environments. Click here to remove banner ads from this forum. Even if every household member socializes with the grey from the start, it still has the potential to become a one-person bird.. In addition to working with your vet, there are things you can do for your parrot at home, like disinfecting its cage and keeping it quarantined away from other birds. Parrot beak color is predominantly dependent upon a parrot's species. Bird Type: African Grey Parrot; Cockatiel; Bird Cage Type: Floor [Buy Price + Expenses], 7 Fun Games To Play with African Grey Parrots, Why Is My Parrot Drooling? If the lower beak grows too fast the beak can't close properly and there will be a gap. Bird Filter. Malnutrition will also cause your parrot to pluck out its feathers. A parrot's beak and tongue are almost always dry, especially the tip of the tongue. In 2012, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (or IUCN) listed both Congo and Timneh African Grey as vulnerable in their Red List of Threatened Species. Talk to your vet about the options. 5. African Gray parrots are medium-sized, but they need a spacious cage measuring around 36 X 24 x 48to be comfortable. There are many ways to bond with them, like doing something they love, whether its whistling a tune, singing a song, or playing with toys. Some African greys can survive being alone for up to 8 hours, but others need more attention and can be left alone for just a few hours. Giving your bird toys they can chew helps them to maintain a healthy beak, as your Grey chews it keeps their beak trim. The absence of this powder may indicate a physiological problem. Furthermore, birds like African grey produce lots of parrot dust that protects them from water, wear and tear. To maintain African greys mental health, you should allow them to have a break outside their cage to explore. These birds nestle and thrive in savannas, coastal mangroves, dense forests, and edges of forest clearings. Psittacine beak and feather virus is common among cockatoos, lovebirds, African grey, and cockatiels. If want to have the African Grey parrots as pet birds, you need to know that there are two types to choose from: This African grey is more popular in the pet trade due to its larger size and bright red tail. But their Congo cousins can be just as stable with the help of encouragement and nurturing. African gray is rightly considered the champion of all categories in the avian world. African gray needs a lot of stimulation in its environment. If I were you I would take to a vet for a health exam and have a calcium level drawn to see if he is getting enough. Warm, moist environments frequently cause more infections PDD Sarcocystosis, NEED A VET?USA: Find Your Local Avian Veterinarian. Too many accidents happen to grays with trimmed flight feathers (broken beak, broken or open breastbone, etc.). Congos typically reach between 12 and 14 inches in length. A possible sign of mites. At the beginning of the 20th century, in 1904, it was discovered in Zambia by Dr. Kirkman, who named it lovebird nigrigenis because of the black cheeks that characterize this bird so much. Always take your bird to the vet if it shows symptoms that may be due to PBFD to diagnosing their underlying. What is the best age to buy an African grey parrot? After this stage, gray become much more selective about what it is willing to accept from humans. His digestive system is perfectly suited to this kind of diet. Their primary coverts are dark grey to almost black, and the wings are darker. Most frequently encountered is Metabolic Bone Disease which is commonly known as rickets . Bird beaks come in a wide variety of shapes, styles and sizes. 7.4.2019. 'Timneh Grey' sub-species from the Ivory Coast, are a slightly darker grey with a maroon tail, and a lighter coloured beak. It lives in the tropical forest under the canopy between 15 and 25 meters from the ground. Awesome, right? African grey parrots can live alone but prefer to live with other parrots. Do African grey parrots love their owners? What is a gray parrot? Symptoms are similar to cold symptoms such as a runny nose, difficulty breathing, and inflamed eyes. Despite not being cuddle bugs, African greys are social parrots requiring much human interaction. It's important to watch them as they age for things like foot problems, eye problems, and calcium issues (as others have told you). home.chilitech.net/~pstone/beakdamage.jpg, www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1829&articleid=2752. 23 cm long, 250 to 350 grams. The African grey is a medium-sized parrot with a bare facial patch. They need care and attention, so they cant be left alone for too long. Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) is the enormous toucan bird (and probably most famous), with black body plumage, white throat, chest, upper tail covers, red under-tail covers, and a huge yellow-orange beak (15.8 - 23 cm). 1.12 2 - The head. Among other unpleasant habits, they are prone to feather plucking and gnawing. They are intelligent, curious and emotional. Similarly, if theyre unhappy with their environment or surroundings, theyll show their displeasure with a series of persistent, unpleasant sounds. The feathers of the Congo African grey bird start darker on the head and gradually get lighter until they are a pale silvery grey near the chest and legs. Some even consider their humans as members of their flock. Much smaller than Congo or Ghana. Psittacus erithacus Timneh parrot: Gray African Timneh parrot. So, expect to see them sleeping from sunset to sunrise. he is about 32 years old and i have noticed he has a weird discoloring on the tip and side of his beak he doesn't seem to be in any pain and it doesn't seem to bother him I'm just wondering if its something to worry about or if its normal? Known as the Einsteins of the bird world, they have speaking abilities comparable to young children. How To Take Care Of African Grey Parrots [A Full Guide]. Congos are less expensive than Timnehs. Then adjust the amount based on his appetite. African Grey Behavior: Commonly known as Congo African Grey, African Parrot, or Grey Parrot, African Grey Parrot. They are charming and intelligent, but their combination of sensitivity and intelligence can cause behavioral problems. What can I say, I was a dumb kid and avian vets were unheard of where I lived. veterinarian, practice owner. Pet birds are prone to beak problems because they have fewer occasions to hone their beaks on natural surfaces. Vitamin A strengthens beak and nails. Place animals in a non-smoking area. African grey parrots voluntarily helped a partner get a food reward by giving the other bird a . African greys have continuously growing beaks that need regular filing to keep them healthy. If your bird loses appetite, has difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly, sneezes and coughs, is inactive, and has a bluish tint on the skin and mucous membranes, its best to bring him to the vet immediately. However, raising African greys require lots of time, effort, and money. They can easily fall into depression and may develop aggressive behavior if they lack mental stimulation. African greys love eating nuts. See in detail how to trim a parrot beak with a Dremel and nail file, by Dr. G. The eyes of a sick bird are half-closed or almond-shaped. I agree with Spiritbird that a vet exam would be in your bird's best interest. Another basic necessity you have to provide is the cage or housing. 1. In addition, as the first reflex of a scared bird is to fly away, more than other parrots, the gray needs all its flight feathers. During molting season, the dust disperses into the environment when the birds shed off their feathers. And when theyre frightened, they may incur further damage to themselves. The Congo African grey comes from Congo, but they can also be found in the southeastern Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Tanzania. Like all stocky parrots (large body, small tail), it needs its feathers to maintain its balance. A healthy beak must be symmetrical, smooth, shiny and of a size adapted to the species. Its larger than the Timneh, measuring 14-16 inches with a wingspan of 18-20 inches. Can an African GREY fly? Most African grey parrots sleep on perches, so newspaper is only required to keep the bottom of the cage clean. Monty has always had problems with his beak, as with his feet and flight feathers. On top of that, African Greys can build logical sentences and express their thoughts. The problem . Thanks to him, the theory that birds can only mimic human voices was proved wrong, and African greys reputation and popularity skyrocketed. Beautyofbirds.com is a labor of love. Cover your parrots cage with a sheet at night to give them peace, quiet, and darkness. Place one perch in the middle, away from food and water. Birds may be hypersensitive to noise or movement. 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