The history of African Grey Parrots being kept as pets can be traced as back as over 4000 years. The Egyptians are reported to be the first who keep these parrots as pets as it is clear from their hieroglyphics. Ancient Greeks also kept these parrot. The custom of owning African Grey Parrots was later adopted by some Roman families who often kept these parrots in ornate cages. King Henry VIII of England was rumored to have an African Grey parrot when he returned from Punjab. Portuguese sailors kept them as companions on their long sea voyages.
African Grey Parrots were also kept as pets in Roman Times where there were shipments of parrots from Africa to Rome. So it can be said with certainty that African Grey Parrots were traded at that time back in 1522 A.D.
Unfortunately In early days, natives who did not know the worth of African Grey Parrots killed these parrots for food and for their red tail feathers. The red tail feathers of African Grey Parrots were used for decoration and were also considered to have a magical power. It was the early 19th century when African Grey Parrots got the popularity and people started to know the ultimate intelligence of these parrots. African Gray parrots were sold to the Europeans and these birds gained popularity among them. At that time parrots were stuffed into reed cylinders and transported by sea. Even now, in spite of the fact that the export of African Grey Parrots is prohibited, being illegal, yet a large number of these birds are being exported in small boxes via ships, and because of suffocation & starvation many of these birds die even before reaching their new destination.
The import of African Grey Parrots has been ceased in USA since 1992 under WILD BIRD CONSERVATION ACT. In the European Union, an EU Directive of 2007 prevents importation of this and any other 'wild-caught' bird for the pet trade.
At present for the pet trade many African Grey parrots are hand-reared by breeders, and these parrots can make excellent pets. But the methods used to produce them for the pet trade greatly affects the pet quality of African Grey Parrots. .
Today African Grey Parrot is still kept as a prized pet. However, because they can b unpredictable at times, they may not be suitable for kids.
Learning on how to breed African Grey parrots is a skill that you as a parrot enthusiast may want to consider taking up. But before you do start breeding African Grey parrots, or any other parrots for that matter, do consider your reasons for doing so. More and more parrots are being neglected or abandoned, and many are already being rescued for rehabilitation at bird sanctuaries. With breeding parrots come the responsibility of ensuring that they are well taken care of by their eventual owners.
To breed African Greys, you will need to acquire a true pair and identify the sex of your birds before you set them up. You can do this with DNA sexing if you do not want any fuss. I would recommend surgical sexing as it enables your parrots' sexual organs to be examined physically for the detection of diseases that can potentially be harmful. However, as in other surgical procedures, this involves the acceptance of risk.
Domestically raised African Grey parrots will be suitable for breeding when they are about five years of age. In the wild, African Greys take longer, between the ages of seven to eight years and this is because of the less nutritional foods that they consume. If you have purchased a baby African Grey, pair it with another African Grey at six months of age to get it used to being with other birds and to socialize. This will help your bird to mate when they are ready to reproduce.
A suitable breeding cage is necessary for your African Grey breeding project. If you are a person who do not like any fuss, then you can find a variety of breeding cages at the pet store. But if you are a hands-on person, then building your own breeding cage can be a very fulfilling experience. Many parrot breeders agree that the suitable breeding cage for African Greys has the following dimensions: 4'(w) x 2'(d) x 5'(h), in which they breed faster in. With this dimension, the African Greys also get adequate exercise.
A good and sturdy perch is necessary for the breeding cage. The ideal perch measures 2' x 4'. During the breeding cycle, the birds will do a lot of wood chewing from the perch. Use a non-pressure treated wood if you are purchasing from the hardware store and one that is hard and that last longer. The male African Grey mates with its hen by physically climbing up on her back unlike other types of parrots.
For feeding bowls, it is recommended that you use stainless steel that is diswasher safe and make sure that they are sanitized. Water bowls made of glass would be ideal. A good option to have in the breeding cage is a swing-out feeder door to make your work easier . To prevent the spread of diseases that may affect the breeding process, the cage needs to be cleaned daily. You will also need a nesting box for your pair. You can make your own or purchase from a vendor. There are plenty of designs available so choose one that fits your requirements.
The African Grey parrot is a relatively easy bird to breed and can be very productive in the breeding process. It is a very rewarding experience if you are starting a African Grey family. But do consider too that African Greys and other parrots can live for up to sixty years and beyond so it is a lifelong responsibility to care for them.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a parrot enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for interesting articles on parrots at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
I think that the African Grey is one of the most beautiful parrots in the species. It's also one of the easiest species to care for. Obviously, by it's name we can tell that the breed originated from Africa. Central Africa actually. These birds are highly intelligent and are known for their exceptional ability to talk and even think. African Greys will, with proper guidance, develope a rather large vocabulary and can usually communicate quite well with their owners.
There are two different types of African Grey parrots. The Congo African Grey is light grey with a red tail. The Timneh African Grey is a darker charcoal grey with a maroon tail. Both of them are considered to be medium-sized in the greater universe of parrots. They tend to grow to be about 10 to 14 inches in length.
As in most species, the males are generally a bit larger then the females, growing to about 12 to 14 inches in length. But unlike many other species in the aviary kingdom, the appearances of both sexes are pretty much the same. No male superiority here. Upon close examination of two african parrots side by side, we will discover that the Female African Grey Parrot will have a narrower head and a more slender neck.
African Greys have a very long lifespan, sometimes living up to 60 years. That means that these parrots will need an owner who can make a long term commitment to them. In addition, because of their high intelligence, African Grey Parrots require an owner that is experienced and who can understand their needs. They can easily become bored so, a stimulating and interactive environment is a must. Without their intellectual needs met African Greys might turn their boredom into behavioral problems like feather picking and other forms of self mutilation, making life difficult for bird and owner. They are very sensitive birds with strong personalities and even a small change in their daily routine or in their surroundings can lead an African Grey parrot to become cranky and disruptive. Although they are typically well behaved and a great pet these birds bring with them many of the same challenges associated with parenthood. African Greys that are unhappy and undisciplined will get into trouble. They might chew wires or bite the hand that feeds them. They pick up behaviors very quickly so if you inadvertently reinforce bad habits you are going to have a problematic relationship with your African Grey. However, on the other hand you can also easily teach them very good habits and behaviors and have a loving happy relationship with your beautiful parrot.
One of the reasons that African Grey parrots make such great pets is because they are very social birds. In the wild they typically stay with the flock for many years. That flocking instinct is exactly what will allow a new, caring owner of the African Grey parrot adopt this new family as part of their flock. Some of them have been known to "cuddle" with their owners. Although they don’t like continual intense physical contact they do enjoy petting and head-scratching. Part of the learning curve of the new owner of the African Grey Parrot is to not be put off bysome of their bird’s rather strange signs of affections. i.e. Regurgitation for a Grey is a sign of deep affection. They will also try to “kiss” their owners on the mouth. While it very tempting to "kiss" the parrot back, it's really not recommended because the human mouth contains bacteria that is quite dangerous to the bird. Like a chile, It is important for the owners to understand that these birds’s have a high need for companionship. If a parrot is lonely they may begin to vocalize excessively, pluck their own feathers, or even start to bite. But, Because of these tendencies, African Grey parrots may not be good pets for a family with young children. Their beaks are very strong and hard and young Children may not understand the danger to them if the parrot is exhibiting bad behavior.
African Grey parrots are full of personality and human like qualities. Those who are lucky enough to own one will have a pet with an intelligence and personality not equaled in many other animals.
Bob Cotto is an african parrot expert. For more great tips on the african parrot, visit http://www.yourparrotguide.com/.
Originating from Central Africa, the African Grey Parrot is considered one of the most beautiful species of parrots and highly intelligent. The African Grey Parrot is popular because of their extraordinary speaking skills and socialization. However, African parrots can be a challenge to care for
The Congo African Grey and the Timneh African Grey parrots that make up the African Parrot species. The Congo African Grey is the most brightly colored with a red tail and is light grey on the body. A maroon tail with a darker grey color defines the Timneh African Grey. Males will grow up to 14 inches and have a larger head than the females.
It is essential to be very sure that African parrots as pets are really wanted as they can live up to 60 years. This is very important to African parrots. New parrot owners would be better suited to a different kind of parrot than the African parrots because of the behavioral needs. Boredom comes easily to African Grey parrots and they will possibly tear things up in their boredom. When upset, they tend to pull their own feathers out or to self mutilate itself with its claws.
Social interaction is a necessity for African Grey parrots to help with the boredom issue. Kissing and cuddling are forms of expression in the wild for African Grey parrots. Since they would rather be with you outside the cage, allow the African Grey to sit on your shoulder or fly about the room. If left alone for long periods, the African Grey parrot will become agitated and start shrieking, plucking its own feathers and tearing the inside of the cage up.
In spite of this, the African Grey is very easy to train as they are adept at mimicking human behavior as well as having a unique ability to speak quite well and have a large vocabulary. The intelligence of this species is actually quite spectacular to behold.
African Grey parrots are perfect for individuals who truly love a bird as a companion. The African Grey Parrot is a wonderful pet to have. This species will give you years of companionship and joy. If the parrot is cared for correctly, the parrot will be devoted to you and will want and need you on a daily basis.
Jason Hutton is an african parrot expert. For more great tips on the African parrot visit http://www.caringforparrots.com.
The African grey parrot is a medium-sized parrot that originates from the central parts of Africa. They are said to be perhaps the most intelligent of all parrots, with an adept ability to mimic human words and expressions. This is the reason why they are very popular as pets in modern day households. Most African grey parrots are predominantly grey all over with a small color difference on their tails, usually maroon or a darker shade of grey.
One incredible characteristic that the African grey parrot carries is its incredible ability to solve even the most complex of problems. Very few parrot species have this kind of ability and it is because of this that the African grey stands out above the rest. This characteristic is tied in with their talking ability as they can learn to mimic any sound just by listening and applying this to their own vocal patterns.
Every African grey parrot has the potential to mimic almost every sound that hears, however some more than others. Parrots that are left alone in their cages with no way to stimulate their brains generally learn to talk or mimic the sounds they hear around them. Parrots that are handled often by humans have no need for the extra stimulation that sound imitation provides them so they often learn very few sounds. This doesn't mean people should neglect their parrots for the sole reason of getting them to talk. There are different training manuals to help parrots learn the basics of sound imitation.
One notorious trait that the African grey parrot has is its feather plucking habit. This can make for a very messy and disease ridden cage and therefore owners are advised to clean the parrot cage once every two or three days. The reason why a parrot plucks his or her feathers is because it is bored and needs a source of stimulation. If owners spend enough time with their parrot every day, perhaps one or two hours, it will have no need to pluck its feathers as it is getting enough stimulation from the human presence around it.
It is commonly known that an African grey parrot can become almost fully attached to one human and therefore become aggressive towards other people. This trait just proves one thing, that African grey parrots are the perfect companion. You could perhaps say that they are the new mans best friend!
If you want to know more about everything parrots including free information, course reviews and much, much more, then please visit ParrotTrainingReview.com (Reccommended) or for more free articles all about parrots visit www.ParrotTrainingReview.com/ParrotTraining
Feeding african grey parrot the right food is very important because it can tell their health, stress level and ability to learn how to talk.
African grey parrot are very different from other bird species because they have their own choice, different diet pattern and eat different kinds of food.
If you want african grey parrot to eat the type of food you want them to eat then you should consider teaching and giving them food when they are around 12 week old can be great advantage.
Depend on how you teach them, some african grey parrot only eat soft food while other eat only hard fruit, vegetable etc. So it is your duty as their owner to change their diet and give them wide variation of fruits and vegetables to see what you african grey parrot like best.
Be aware that most african grey parrots fell ill and sick because they eat food that contain less calcium so it is very important to give them a good balance of calcuim from food such as boiled eggs, spinach, blackberries and yogurt etc.
If your african grey parrot refuse to eat these food that contain calcium mentioned above then you must try to give them calcium supplements food around two to three time week. One thing that you should becareful is that most of african grey parrot dont drink water in a day because they had already absorb water into their body by eating fruits.
Calcium diet can make your african grey parrot healthy, nice feather and can greatly reduce stress which can lead to symptoms such as feather plucking and squeaking etc.
A good health african grey parrot can learn and respond to speech training quickly and efficiently.
You can learn more about parrot in detail here including informations on www.niceparrots.com/eclectus-parrot.php" title="eclectus parrot">eclectus parrot and african grey parrot.
The African grey parrot is one of the most popular pet parrots available. Many people get the name of the parrot wrong and in fact spell African grey parrot as 'African gray parrot'. This is indeed wrong but if you made a mistake then don't worry about it! This article will endeavor to explain everything there is to know about the African grey parrot or the African gray parrot!
What Do They Look Like?
As you would have probably guessed already, the African grey parrot is mostly grey all over with a shade of grey around the facial region. Their beaks are generally black and they have a tinge of red underlying beneath their tails that help them to stand out from many other grey parrots. They come from the Congo region in Africa and are constantly hunters by traffickers due to the fact that they can sell for quite a lot of money in Western parts of the world.
Efforts are being made to stop this from occurring and in recent history there seems to be a reduction in the number of birds being trafficked overseas. This has also sparked a revival in their overall numbers in the wild which means things are starting to look up for the African grey.
What Are They Like To Train?
African grey parrots are one of the most brilliant breeds on Earth and are said to be one of the best speakers out of all the parrots. They have the ability to put together whole phrases and can actually learn quite fast. This is one of the major reasons why so many parrot owners choose to own African grays.
Is There Anything I Should Know Before I decide To Buy An African Grey Parrot?
Yes actually there is a lot you need to learn before you going out and buy your own. First of all you have to make sure you know where you are getting your parrot from as many of them are trafficked into the country as was discussed previously in the article. Secondly if you have no experience whatsoever in parrot handling, I would recommend starting off with a bird that is much easier to handle such as a budgie for example.
Lastly African grey parrots are animals that thrive on enthusiasm and attention. If you know you aren't going to be able to spend enough time looking after and training your parrot then do the right thing and let someone who does have a go. There are too many people out there abusing the privilege of owning such magnificent creatures just so they can tell their friends that they own a parrot.
If you want to know more about Parrots including free information, reviews and much more, or you want to join our FREE Online Parrot Training Course then please visit Parrots (Recommended) or for more free articles all about parrots visit Parrot Training Blog
African Grey parrots are not the most colorful among parrots of the world, as the name indicates. Whether your African Grey is of the Congo or Timneh subspecies, the bird will be predominantly grey in color. The Congo African Grey will have a bright, cherry red tail, while the Timneh African Grey's tail will be maroon.
African Grey parrots are very intelligent. It has been said that they have an intellect similar to that of dolphins and chimpanzees. African Grey parrots have the ability to mimic up to 2,000 different sounds. They can understand the use of many words they learn, and are known to be the best talking parrots.
Einstein, a talking African Grey, is living proof of this. Einstein has been talking up a storm in a Knoxville, Tennessee zoo. Einstein's trainer, Stephanie White, says that it is natural for African Grey parrots to enjoy mimicking sounds. Einstein, though, seems exceptionally good at mimicking. White believes Einstein can make more than 200 different sounds, many of which are English words.
"If she hears a sound that she likes, she'll start to repeat it over and over. Then we'll put it on cue," says White.
Is Einstein Male or Female?
African Grey parrots of both sexes look the same, so no one knows whether Einstein is male or female. The zoo's veterinarians could tell with a blood test, but the zoo has decided not to do it. Einstein lives happily with the name of a great male scientist, and a feminine pronoun.
Einstein - a Talking African Grey's Bio
Einstein, the talking African Grey parrot, hatched in California in 1987. He did not live in a zoo at first. He lived with a California couple. Not for sale, the Congo African Grey was donated to the Zoo in 1992 at age 5.
When Einstein arrived at the Knoxville Zoo, she soared from unknown African Grey parrot to star status. Einstein was an immediate hit in the zoo's new Bird Show. Visitors loved the show, which features free-flight, natural behaviors of about 14 birds and a few other animals. However, the African Grey quickly became the star.
Einstein does not stay at the zoo every day. Nor does she limit her vocabulary to words and sounds her trainers want her to learn. One day, the African Grey was riding in a car on the way to a school show-and-tell. Suddenly, she began to sing "Happy Birthday" to her shocked trainers. No one knew when and how she learned the song, but she knew it.
Einstein is not only the star of Knoxville Zoo's Bird Show. She is also a popular "spokesbird" for the zoo and for Knoxville tourism.
Although Einstein is about 22 years old as I write this (early 2007), she will never behave or understand as a 22-year old human. African Grey parrots have the intellectual capacity of a 5-year old child. Emotionally, they are more like a 2-year old human. Those who live with African Grey parrots are constantly reminded of this.
African Grey - the Right Pet for You?
Einstein, the talking African Grey is amazing. You should be aware, however, that not all African Greys are like Einstein. The Knoxville Zoo has another African Grey parrot named Allie. Allie has learned only a handful of words. Perhaps Allie is shy of talking because Einstein is so good. Perhaps Allie is just not motivated.
Certainly many African Grey parrots do learn to talk. A privately-owned, 10-year old African Grey in Texas - also named Einstein - is credited with knowing 122 words, 94 phrases, and 21 sounds.
If you purchase an African Grey parrot, and patiently work with it, you will probably be able to teach it to talk.
Anna Hart. Anna Hart, a career educator and writer, has researched African Grey parrots carefully for you. Anna invites you to read more of her articles about parrots of the world at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com. If you would like more information on African">http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com/parrot-breeds/african-grey-parrot-female-and-male-14/">African Grey parrots, you won't want to miss Anna's articles.
African Grey parrots' food must not be only seed, however. Such an incomplete, imbalanced diet is likely to cause illness. Seeds are high in fat and carbohydrates, and your African Grey will probably pick out its favorite seeds, making the diet even less balanced.
Most parrot experts agree that an African Grey parrots' food needs can only be met with a formula diet supplemented with a variety of other foods.
Organic Pellets
What is a formula diet for an African Grey? Organic pellets. I say "organic" pellets because many of the conventional pellets have unhealthy ingredients. Some have even been noted as containing potentially toxic ingredients.
African Grey parrots' food should never contain menadione. If the pellets you are considering for your African Grey list menadione as an ingredient, read on. The FDA requires a warning on every bag of food that contains it. That warning must read, "Person who handles needs to wear protective outfit, gloves, mask, and glasses."
Menadione may be added to give your African Grey additional vitamin K. A better option is to provide full spectrum light for your parrot. An African Grey will get vitamin K from the light, just as it would if living outdoors.
Organic pellets also let your African Grey avoid the high quantities of sugar in colored pellets. Most African Grey parrot owners care enough about the bird in which they've invested so much money, that they don't want to give it a diet that is high in sugar.
African Grey parrots' food that is based on organic pellets will be free of contaminants that might be found in other pellets. In the U.S., government regulations force companies making organic parrot food not to use pesticides or other contaminants.
In addition to a basic, formulated pellet food, African Greys need many of the same food you eat.
1. Fresh vegetables: Offer your African Grey a wide variety of vegetables, raw or cooked. Think bright, deep colors for the most nutrition. Most vegetables that offer high nutrition to you and your family will be good for your parrot as well. Cooked legumes such as beans and lentils are good. Sprouted seeds are also good. Your African Grey will love them. To avoid contaminants such as pesticides, you may want to use organic vegetables for African Grey parrots' food.
2. Fresh fruits: In the wild, African Greys eat fruit freely. The trick is to keep your parrot from filling up on its favorite food and neglecting pellets and vegetables. As with vegetables, choose bright, rich colors in fruit for the most nutrition. Also, purchase organic if possible.
3. Other supplemental foods: African Grey parrots enjoy cooked eggs and small amounts of yogurt now and then. African Greys are more prone than some parrots to calcium deficiency, so you may leave the egg shell on the hard boiled egg, if you wish. You should not need to give your parrot calcium supplements if you are using a good organic pellet food. You may give a few seeds as a treat, but go easy on them.
No, Thank You
African Grey parrots' food dishes should never contain avocado, chocolate, or rhubarb. They should not contain any human junk foods or processed meats either. It should go without saying, but your African Grey should never be given anything containing caffeine or alcohol.
Water, Please
Remember, when thinking of your African Grey's dietary needs, that it should have fresh, clean water in its cage at all times.
Helpful Tip
For healthy African Greys, be sure you clean the food and water dishes every day. If your parrot decides on an impromptu bath, wait until it is done, wash the water dish, and give it a fresh supply of water.
By: Anna Hart
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The African Grey is undoubtedly the most gregarious of all parrots. In the wild, he lives in groups of a hundred to two hundred individuals and remains in same group during the mating season. He lives in the tropical forest between 50 and 80 feet from the ground. As an almost exclusively arboreal bird he's an excellent climber, but only rarely comes to the ground, so he's not much of a walker. He only comes down to drink from the lakes and rivers around which his colony has settled.
In the forest, his food is rich in vegetable fat and proteins, as well as in vitamin A. The African parrot is fond of palm nuts, of coffee seeds and of palm fruit. His digestive tract is perfectly adapted to this diet. So what do you feed an African Grey in captivity? Well when it comes to feeding a Grey, remember he needs vitamin A and calcium. As Greys are subject to hypocalcemia (calcium deficiency) it is important to feed him calcium rich foods. Enough lighting and a vitamin D3 supplement will also help him assimilate calcium.
In captivity, African Grey parrots are among the most studied birds and among the most popular with bird lovers, chiefly because of their calm personality, their intelligence, their remarkable skill to reproduce sounds, human voices and their ability to speak in order to communicate. Furthermore this bird is appreciated for his sensitivity and his incredible empathy with humans. It seems he can really sense our emotions and state of mind and react accordingly.
However the flip side of the African Grey's thoughtful temperament is that it makes him more timid than other types of parrots. He seems to classify all humans or objects around him in two categories: possibly dangerous or familiar and without danger. Unfortunately, anything unfamiliar to the bird automatically ends up in the first category. This suspicious nature is chronic with African Greys. They will always have difficulty accepting novelty, whether it takes the form of a new human, food, toy, object, etc. But don't be discouraged, after a while curiosity will get the better of him. The main thing to remember is to give him the time he needs to accept the new element into the familiar and non-threatening category. But be patient: this may be a slow process!
Laurene Arroyo is a long-time parrot enthusiast. Learn more facts about African Greys and sign up for her FREE Parrot Care mini-course by visiting http://ParrotBirdCenter.com/the-african-grey-parrot
