The Cost of Buying an African Grey Parrot

Buying an African Grey Parrot is a big investment. The bird's lifespan can be as long as 50 years, so it's important to ensure that you're prepared to make the long-term commitment.

It is best to buy an infant African Grey from a reputable pet store or breeder. You'll be able to tell that the parrot is fully weaned.

Cage

A good cage will be one of the best purchases you can make for your African Grey Parrot. They are social animals, and they need plenty of space to be comfortable. They also require a place to play and exercise. A large cage is essential, and it must be easy to clean. It should be constructed of an enduring material like stainless steel wire coated with powder. It must be designed to stop your bird from fleeing and have a secure latch.

The cage should be large enough to hold many perches. Parrots love to get out of their cages, but they should be able to come back to their home. The cage must also have enough space between the bars to keep your parrot from getting stuck. A cage that opens up and includes a playstand on top is an excellent option since it can be moved from room-to-room.

Many people feed their African Grey Parrots a standard commercial mix of seeds. The mix is often packed with fat and lacking in important nutrients. In the wild, African Grey Parrots are familiar with a diverse diet that includes a variety of seeds and fruits. If you give your African Grey parrot a seed mix that is too rich and nutrient-dense, they could become sick and may die prematurely.

A healthy african gray parrot requires an appropriate diet, mental stimulation, and regular exercise. They also require going to the veterinarian frequently for vaccinations and checkups. But, they're not as expensive to own as a dog or cat. If you purchase exotic pet insurance, it can reduce your vet bills.

Food

African grey parrots can live to 80 years in the wild. It is therefore important to feed your pet the right diet. A high-quality bird food can make a an enormous difference in the health and well-being of your African gray parrot, and other animals you have at home. You can find a variety of parrot food at pet stores and online. You can also give your African grey a variety of fruits, grains and vegetables. Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar and salt.

In the wild, African gray parrots often gather in large groups in the evening to roost, before dispersing during the day into smaller groups to hunt and collect. They are social birds that manage complex relationships within their flocks. Unfortunately many domesticated African greys don't have the same degree of social interaction as they get in the wild and are often stressed due to their isolation. This stress can cause them to self-harming behaviors, like cutting their feathers.

Parrots need a wide variety of nutrients to stay healthy and active. Ideally, they should be given a mix of seeds, grains and nuts, in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables. Seeds such as safflower seeds, sunflower seeds and Linseed are excellent sources of vitamins and protein. However, they are deficient in micronutrients and shouldn't constitute a the majority of a captive african grey birds for sale grey's diet.

Vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene must be a staple in any captive African grey's diet. Greens like kale and mustard greens are rich in calcium and vitamin D. Apricots, figs and endive are also high in calcium. Hazelnuts and Filberts are an excellent source of calcium, but make sure to offer them in moderation as they contain oxalic acid which blocks the absorption of certain of your pet's other minerals.

Toys

African grey parrots require a variety of toys, just like every other pet. They need to be stimulated mentally and kept occupied. These toys can help to prevent boredom as well as other destructive behavior such as feather picking chewing, biting and feather picking. These toys also allow the bird to exercise outside of their cage. Parrots that don't receive enough stimulation in their minds can be depressed, anxious and even withdrawn. They could even begin to lose weight.

Toys for an african gray parrot need to be durable, safe and made from non-toxic materials. They should also be suitable for the bird's size as well as activity level. There are many toys for African greys, from foot toys to foraging puzzles. Some of these toys can be expensive, however the majority of chewing and shredding toys targeted to parrots are affordable. It's important to keep in mind that these toys will have to be replaced frequently, so there's an ongoing cost to this.

If you see the sale of a bird at a price that is unusually low or high it could be a sign of a scam. Prices that are low could indicate the existence of a breeding facility or birds that were illegally acquired and high prices could be due to genetic claims or a fake identity. If you do encounter this kind of situation, you should ask for DNA test results prior to making an purchase.

Consider adopting an African gray parrot that requires an appropriate home if you wish to save money on a parrot. These animals are often abandoned by their previous owners due to a lack of time or funds. You can find them in parrot rescue centers and adoption agencies. They may be more affordable than buying from a breeder, however they will still require a substantial investment in terms of money, time and energy.

Health care

gizmo the grey parrot african grey for sale $200 grey parrot can form strong bonds with humans. It is a highly intelligent bird. They also have an innate ability to understand and learn human speech, which has catapulted them to a renown in the pet industry. These birds have been domesticated for thousands of years ago and are excellent pets if properly cared for. However, these birds can be very demanding and could cause stress in their owners if they don't receive enough attention and affection. Our Greeley veterinarians explain that these bird need plenty of mental stimulation and environment enrichment to avoid behavioral and health issues.

They require plenty of toys in and outside their cage to keep them entertained. They love playing with toys that require them to use their beaks, such as chewable leather toys, newspapers and cardboard to rip, and foraging toys. They require several perches, with preferably various heights and widths. Always keep water on hand. It is best to use shallow saucers to decrease the risk of bacterial infection.

The African grey parrot, as any other pet, requires regular veterinary examinations to ensure their health. This includes a thorough physical examination as well as nail trimming (if required) and tests in the laboratory. These annual checks help to prevent illness and also detect potential health, nutrition and behavioral issues.

It is important to find a doctor who is specialized in avian species, since they have special requirements. In addition to regular veterinary visits, the owner should have an Avian first aid kit in order to treat common ailments. To prevent bacterial and fungus infections, it is important to keep the living environment clean. The cage needs to be cleaned regularly and should be cleaned of all bedding and food particles and perches should be disinfected as needed.

Training

African greys are believed to be intelligent and very quick learners. They can live up to 50 years, and are considered to be the most happy bird in the room. Some even speak basic phrases and words. They can be taught to label things like toys, food and wood. If you would like your african grey to talk it is best to begin as a baby and teach him the word "yes" and "no" when asked. This will allow him to understand your message and avoid repetition of negative words such as "shut up" or "no more".

Training sessions are short, but effective. Two five-minute sessions per day are sufficient. During these sessions, the bird must be rewarded and praised for making progress. It is also important to allow him some time in the cage to taking a break and relaxing. Introduce him to his family and visitors to help him become accustomed to hearing different voices. You should also teach your child to adjust to loud noises and not be scared.

Consider how many hours you can devote to an african gray before you purchase one. They require a lot of attention as well as regular meals and cage cleaning. You may need to employ a bird-sitter to look after them while you are away. This is crucial to avoid stress and unnecessary cost. Many people purchase a parrot, only to discover that it's not the best pet for their family. They then have it relocated. This can be extremely stressful for the pet and could cause health issues.