A Complete Guide for African Grey Parrot Owners

The African Grey parrot is one of the most popular pet birds, renowned for their exceptional intelligence, ability to talk, and overall gentle demeanor.

However, caring for an African Grey is a big commitment and requires a thorough understanding of their specialized needs.

This complete guide provides essential information for both new and experienced African Grey owners on housing, diet, enrichment, training, health and everything else required to properly care for these remarkable birds.

Choosing an African Grey

There are two subspecies of African Grey parrots:

• Congo African Grey - The larger of the two subspecies, with dark grey feathers and bright red tails. Their average lifespan is 50 years.
• Timneh African Grey - Smaller in size with darker charcoal grey feathers and darker maroon tails. They live around 30 years on average.

Both make excellent pets and are very similar in terms of care and personality. The Congo Greys are considered to be more adept talkers, while Timnehs tend to be cuddlier and less nervous around strangers. But there is much individual variability between birds.

When selecting an African Grey, it's best to locate a reputable breeder that screens for potential health issues.

Pet stores often source birds from disreputable breeders. Avoid wild-caught birds as they typically don't adjust well to captivity.

Hand-fed baby birds bond easiest with their owners.

Look for a bird that is lively, alert and interactive. Check for bright eyes, smooth feathers and healthy skin. Beak, nails and vent should be clean.

Inspect the area below the wings and tail for any sign of baldness, which can indicate feather plucking.

Housing

Proper housing is essential for an African Grey's health and happiness. Consider the following:

• Cage Size: Minimum dimensions should be 3-4 feet wide, 2-3 feet deep and 4-5 feet high. Bigger is always better.
• Bar Spacing: Bars should be no more than 3/4 inches apart to prevent entrapment and injuries.
• Materials: Choose a sturdy metal cage with a powder-coated finish that is nontoxic and easy to clean. Avoid cages with lead, zinc or rust.
• Shape: Select a rectangular cage rather than round to allow more utilization of space.
• Placement: Position the cage against a wall in a high-traffic area so the bird can be part of family activities. Avoid drafty areas, direct sunlight and kitchen fumes.
• Perches: Provide natural wood perches of varying sizes and textures to exercise feet and prevent sores.
• Accessories: Include food and water bowls, toys, swings, treats, mirrors and more for enrichment.
• Cleaning: Thoroughly clean and disinfect the cage weekly. Replace food and water daily. Place protective paper under the cage to simplify cleaning.

Diet and Nutrition

African Greys require a balanced, varied diet to thrive:

• Pelleted Diet: Feed a high quality, species-specific pellet formula as 75-80% of diet. Choose a brand free of fillers, artificial colors and flavors.
• Produce: Chopped fruits and veggies like apples, oranges, squash, sweet potatoes, beans, peas, etc make excellent daily additions.
• Grains: Cooked brown rice, quinoa, pasta, oats, etc can be mixed in a few times per week.
• Proteins: Offer small amounts of cooked eggs, beans or chicken occasionally for essential amino acids.
• Treats: Nuts, seeds and the occasional piece of cheese can be used as rewards during training.
• Avoid: Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, avocado, fruit seeds/pits, onions and other toxic foods.
• Supplements: Provide a daily vitamin and calcium supplement.
• Water: Always provide filtered, fresh drinking water in a cup attachment. Replace daily.

Monitor weight and adjust diet as needed. Overweight birds are prone to health issues. Most Greys will eat about 1/2 ounce of food per pound of body weight daily.

Enrichment and Mental Stimulation

In the wild, African Greys are highly social and flighted birds that spend their days foraging, exploring, interacting and flying great distances.

Life in captivity can become dull by comparison, leading to boredom, frustration and behavior problems like screaming or feather plucking. Enriching their environment is essential.

• Social Interaction: Spend quality time engaging with your bird through training, handling, talking, etc. Enable interactions with family members.
• Foraging: Hide food in toys and around cage to encourage natural foraging behaviors.
• Toys: Rotate new bird-safe toys weekly to prevent boredom. Choose toys that make noise, move, or can be shredded.
• Training: Use positive reinforcement to teach tricks and improve bonding. Target stick training is especially enriching.
• Trick Training: Clicker training birds to wave, turn around, fetch objects etc provides mental exercise and bonding.
• Out of Cage: Let bird spread wings and explore the room daily in a safe, supervised setting.
• New Perches/Areas: Change perch types/locations periodically for variety. Alter playstands and hang new toys.
• Socialization: Schedule play dates with other compatible birds for social enrichment.

Mental exercise is equally as important as physical exercise for Greys. A bored Grey will often resort to screaming, feather damaging behaviors or aggression. Prevent this through daily enrichment.

Training and Handling

African Greys are incredibly intelligent and highly trainable birds. But they can be prone to behavioral issues if not handled properly. Use only reward-based positive reinforcement training.

• Basic Commands: With patience and consistency, Greys can learn commands like step up, step down, come, stay, wave, turn around etc.
• Speech Training: Greys eagerly mimic speech. Use short, repetitive phrases to teach talkative birds to speak words.
• Potty Training: Some birds can be potty trained to go at designated times/places. This takes time and consistency.
• Crate Training: Crate training is an excellent way to transport your Grey safely and can aid in potty training.
• Target Stick: Click training birds to touch their beak on a stick target helps tame extremely fearful birds.
• Foraging: Train bird to forage for hidden treats you place around cage and environment. Satisfies natural instincts.
• Desensitization: Systematically desensitize Greys to new objects, places, people so they become unafraid of new stimuli through positive experiences.
• No Yelling: Never yell at your bird. This leads to mistrust and often louder vocalizations.
• No Punishment: Do not punish screaming or biting. This only reinforces the behavior. Redirect to more positive behavior instead with rewards.
• Biting: If biting occurs, say "no" firmly and walk away to deny attention. Reward when bird stops biting.
• Consistency: Everyone who handles bird should use same commands/techniques to avoid confusion.

Proper handling and training creates a well-adjusted, people-friendly Grey companion.

Grooming and Hygiene

To keep your African Grey healthy and clean:

• Nails: Trim nails every 4-6 weeks to prevent injury and overgrowth. Use cat nail trimmers and avoid the blood vessel.
• Beak: Overgrown beaks should be professionally trimmed by an avian vet annually if not worn down naturally through chewing toys.
• Feathers: Providing ample toys, perches and sun for oil production keeps feathers healthy. Mist bathing can help too.
• Bathing: Most Greys enjoy bathing. Provide a shallow dish of water a few times a week for bathing opportunities.
• Cleaning: Replace food and water dishes daily. Clean and disinfect cages weekly. Scoop droppings daily.
• Grooming: Periodically groom feathers gently with a soft brush to remove dust and distribute oils. Most Greys enjoy grooming.
• Skin/Scaly Face: Check for mites and skin issues monthly. Treat scaly face caused by mites with veterinarian recommended solutions.
• Air Purifiers: Use air purifiers and vacuum frequently to control dust that can lead to respiratory issues. Avoid using harsh sprays around birds.

Proper nutrition, full spectrum lighting and bathing opportunities help ensure your African Grey's plumage stays healthy year-round. Maintain their beak, nails, feathers and environment regularly.

Companionship

African Greys are highly social birds that become very bonded with their owners. Some key tips:

• Greys require significant time and attention from their owners daily. They thrive on interaction and suffer if neglected.
• If away for extended periods, arrange care for your Grey to avoid isolation.
• Some Greys can feel overwhelmed by too much petting/handling. Learn your bird's preferences.
• Introduce new people gradually so they become comfortable around strangers.
• Consider getting two same-sex Greys so they can keep each other company if you are away often.
• Greys generally do not get along with other parrot species due to competition. But some can be housed with another non-breeding African Grey.
• Monitor pairs for bonding/aggression issues which may require separation.
• If getting a second Grey, quarantine new bird for 30-45 days before introducting slowly over weeks.
• Never house male and female Greys together as they can breed and become aggressive.

Know your bird's unique personality to provide the companionship interaction they need to thrive.

Traveling and Transporting

African Greys acclimate well to traveling if done properly:

• Carrier: Invest in sturdy, well-ventilated carrier to transport bird safely. Introduce carrier in home first so it becomes a familiar safe zone.
• Car Travel: Secure carrier horizontal on back seat. Protect from direct air vent. Play calming music to ease stress.
• Flight Travel: Keep the carrier under your seat during flights rather than in cargo hold which can be traumatic or even fatal for birds.
• Veterinary Visits: Use covered carrier to bring bird to vet appointments. This reduces stress.
• Overnight Stays: When staying overnight away from home, set up carrier as a safe space in hotel room and provide coveted food treats inside.
• Preparation: Preparing bird ahead of time by leaving carrier around the home helps ensure travel goes smoothly when needed.
• Arrival: After arriving to new destination, allow bird to rest quietly in carrier away from commotion. Introduce surroundings gradually.

With the proper carrier and preparation, African Greys can safely enjoy trips and adventures outside the home. The key is easing their transition.

Common Health Issues

African Greys are prone to certain health problems owners should monitor:

• Respiratory Infections: Bacterial and fungal respiratory infections are common in Greys. Watch for symptoms like coughing, sneezing, discharge. See an avian vet promptly when issues arise.
• Psittacosis: Also called parrot fever, psittacosis is a bacterial disease transmittable to humans. It causes lethargy, breathing issues, diarrhea. Annual vet testing detects early.
• Pacheco's Disease: Deadly herpes virus that spreads rapidly and must be treated quickly. Symptoms include depression, diarrhea, respiratory distress. Strict quarantine of new birds protects.
• Feather Plucking: Plucking feathers from stress or boredom requires addressing underlying issues like environment, diet, socialization to resolve. Vet helps identify causes.
• Obesity: Overweight birds have higher rates of health problems. Monitor weight and adjust diet to prevent obesity.
• Heavy Metal Toxicity: Heavy metals can accumulate over time from pet toys. Get annual testing and avoid lead/zinc toys.
• Cardiac Disease: African Greys are prone to heart conditions like atherosclerosis. Have vet regularly screen.

Schedule annual checkups to screen for issues. Immediately consult an avian vet if any signs of illness arise. Proper handling and prompt medical care is key to avoiding health issues pitfalls.

Lifespan and Commitment

African Grey parrots are incredibly long lived birds - up to 60 years with proper care! They require an enormous commitment of time, energy and dedication. Key considerations:

• Make sure you are ready for a 60+ year commitment before getting an African Grey. Re-homing due to lack of preparation is traumatic for greys.
• Budget for significant annual costs including food, medical care, supplies and accessories. Emergency vet visits can be pricey.
• African Greys are highly prone to behavioral issues like screaming, biting and feather damaging behaviors without proper handling, time commitment and training.
• They become very attached to owners and can exhibit destructive behaviors if neglected or left alone for extended periods. Single parent homes can be difficult.
• Proper research is required to meet their specialized care needs ranging from diet to enrichment to training. Poor care shortens lifespan.
• Ensure proper long term care arrangements if needed as Greys can easily outlive their owners. Re-homing retired adult birds can be very challenging.

Owning an African Grey is a joy but requires an extreme level of dedication, time and care over decades. If unable to make a lifelong commitment, a different pet may be better suited.

feeding time table for an African Grey parrot:

Time	Meal
7 AM	Breakfast - 1-2 tablespoons of pellet food. Place pellets in foraging toys.
10 AM	Chopped fruit snack - Apple, banana slices, etc. Handfeed or place in toy.
12 PM	Lunch - 1-2 tablespoons pellet food soaked in water. Add some chopped veggies like sweet potato, carrots, peas, beans.
3 PM	Foraging time - Hide small pieces of nuts around cage and play area.
5 PM	Dinner - 2-3 tablespoons of pellet food mixed with cooked whole grains like brown rice, quinoa. Shredded greens.
7 PM	Chopped veggie snack - Broccoli, squash, pepper strips.

• Give fresh water in clean bowl daily. Replace water as needed.
• Provide natural wood perches, bird-safe toys, treats puzzles and swings 24/7 for enrichment.
• Twice weekly, substitute chopped hard boiled egg for proteins at lunch or dinner meal.
• Use food as rewards during positive reinforcement training sessions.
• Weigh bird weekly and adjust food amounts to maintain ideal weight.
• Consult avian vet before making major dietary changes.

Sticking to a consistent feeding schedule ensures your African Grey receives balanced nutrition throughout the day. Adjust schedule as needed to match your own routines. The key is providing portion-controlled meals spaced throughout daylight hours.

Conclusion

From housing and diet to training and healthcare, African Grey parrots have very specialized needs and require an incredible amount of interaction, enrichment and supervision compared to other companion birds.

But what they require in dedication, they return tenfold in affection, loyalty and companionship.

Their playful nature, exceptional talking abilities and close bonds with their families makes the significant commitment worth it for bird lovers up to the task.

By following the guidance in this complete owner's guide, you'll be well on your way to a rewarding lifelong journey with an extraordinary African Grey.

African Grey Parrot Ownership - Q&A

Question	Answer
How long do African Grey parrots live?	African Greys can live 60+ years with proper care and diet.
What size cage does an African Grey need?	Minimum cage size is 3-4 feet wide, 2-3 feet deep and 4-5 feet high. Bigger is always better.
What foods should African Greys eat?	A pelleted diet should be 75-80% of intake. Chopped fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and proteins like egg can be provided too. Avoid chocolate, caffeine and other toxic foods.
How much time per day does an African Grey require?	Greys need substantial daily interaction and supervision from their owners. At least 4-6 hours per day is recommended.
What mental stimulation do they need?	Rotating toys, foraging, training, household inclusion and socialization prevents boredom and behavioral issues.
How can you positively train an African Grey?	Use only reward-based training with frequent praise and high value food treats. Clicker training is highly effective.
What common health issues do African Greys face?	Respiratory infections, psittacosis, Pacheco's disease, feather plucking, obesity, heavy metal toxicity and cardiac disease. Annual vet visits are essential.
Are African Greys good talkers?	Yes, with regular speech training, African Greys can develop very large vocabularies and speak in context. The Congo subspecies are considered the best talkers.
Can African Greys be potty trained?	Some Greys can be potty trained with consistent positive reinforcement training. It takes substantial time and patience.