African greys (Psittacus erithacus) are high-maintenance birds, so meeting their care needs isn’t easy.
These intelligent, emotionally sensitive parrots need the right-sized cage, toys, food, water, exercise, attention, and environment to thrive as pets.
If African greys are left alone, rarely leave their cages, lack a consistent routine, or have little to do, they’ll become unhappy or distressed. This often manifests as behavioral problems and stereoptypies.
Cage Setup for African Grey Parrots
An African grey parrot’s cage should be at least 36 x 24 x 48 inches.
According to the Center for Animal Rehab and Education, the bars should be ¾ to 1 inch apart. This will prevent injury or escape, enable climbing, and make it easier to attach items.
African greys are sensitive to noise and movement. They can grow distressed when overstimulated by their surroundings, so position the cage in a corner of the room.
Cage Lining
African greys are messy birds. They poop often, drop food, and chew things with their beaks. They also release dust from their wings. This is a powder down that coats the wings, insulating the feathers.
While parrot dust is easy to clean, be mindful of breathing problems. Parrot dust can trigger asthma attacks or lead to a respiratory condition called Bird Fancier’s Lung (BFL).
We recommend cage liners, newspaper, and paper towels as cage liners.
Perches
Add 3 or more wooden perches at different levels and angles. At least 1 perch should be elevated because birds favor higher vantage points because they can survey their surroundings.
Toys
African greys have a low tolerance for boredom, so they need toys to entertain and engage them. This can be achieved with bells, rope swings, wooden blocks, climbing frames, and distorted mirrors.
Temperature
African grey parrots live in the hot climes of Africa, preferring an ambient temperature of 72–80°F. Avoid positioning the cage in a draughty area or direct sunlight.
Some exposure to UV light is needed for vitamin D3 synthesis. Parrots can’t absorb calcium without vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and eggshells.
Food And Diet
African greys are granivores (grain and seeds) and frugivores (fruits). They can be fed pellets, nuts, fruits, vegetables, white and lean red meat, fish, and eggs. Pellets should comprise 50-75% of their diet.
Healthy fruits and vegetables for parrots include:
- Squash.
- Carrots.
- Sweet potatoes.
- Bell peppers.
- Blackberries.
- Strawberries.
- Watermelon.
African greys enjoy eating nuts. However, they’re high in fat, which can lead to weight gain.
The best nuts for African greys include:
- Pine nuts.
- Almonds.
- Macadamia nuts.
- Cashews.
- Brazil nuts.
- Walnuts.
- Hazelnuts.
Feeding Frequency
African grey parrots should be fed twice daily, once upon waking up and again in the evening. You can also offer a parrot some nutritious midday snacks for good behavior or as a training reward.
What Shouldn’t Be Eaten
An African grey mustn’t be fed the following foods or drinks:
- Chocolate.
- Coffee.
- Alcohol.
- Onions and garlic.
- Stones (seeds) from fruits, like apricots, apples, and peaches.
- Avocado.
These foods are toxic to parrots. For example, the seeds of stone fruits contain cyanide.
Feather Care
African greys molt their feathers once every 12-18 months, usually at the onset of spring.
This molting will remove worn, damaged feathers and encourage the growth of brighter, healthier replacements. Allow parrots to bathe regularly to keep their feathers pristine.
Birds take care of their own bathing if you provide them with a bowl of clean water. You can also mist the parrot with lukewarm water or wipe away food debris with a washcloth.
Beak Care
The beak is made of β-keratin and never stops growing, so parrots chew things. Chew toys, bird-safe branches, cuttlebones, and tough-shelled nuts can help remove the excess.
The beak may need to be trimmed to prevent overgrowth, misalignment, and malocclusions. For example, scissor beak can prevent parrots from eating and maneuvering.
Claw Care
Pet parrots aren’t exposed to abrasive surfaces as much as wild parrots. Their nails can become overgrown and misshapen, preventing them from performing essential tasks.
A vet can trim the claws, but it’s recommended that ways are provided to wear down the claws naturally. For example, wooden perches can reduce the length and sharpness of claws.
Talking Ability
African greys are among the parrot family’s most advanced and talented speakers. Following ongoing training, some birds can learn hundreds of words.
Parrots appear to talk in context, but they seldom understand the meaning of their words.
Age Start Talking
Most African greys begin talking once they’re 12–18 months old. They start mimicking words and sentences you teach them or they hear in their environment.
Noisy vs. Quiet
Expect to hear African grey parrots vocalize throughout the day. If an African grey realizes that screaming gets attention, it’ll do so whenever it wants something from you.
Sleep
African grey parrots are diurnal, so they sleep overnight.
An African grey must rest for 10-12 hours. If it doesn’t get enough sleep, it’ll be irritable during the day, while prolonged insomnia can lead to similar health issues experienced by humans.
While some owners like to sleep beside their parrots, this is inadvisable due to the risk of crushing them.
Cover The Cage
A parrot’s cage should be covered at night. African greys struggle to sleep if exposed to artificial light at bedtime, as circadian rhythms regulate their sleep-wake cycle.
Exercise
African greys must allowed outside their cages for several hours.
Flight is the most natural way for African greys to exercise. Avoid clipping a parrot’s wings unless it’s for their safety and welfare. You can bird-proof the room before allowing exploration.
African greys like to climb the walls of their cage, traverse between perches at different levels, and play interactive games where they can utilize their intellect.
Companionship
African greys like spending time with their owners, so don’t leave them alone in their cages for a prolonged period. According to PloS One, solitude causes distress and illness.
Lone Parrots vs. Pairs
African grey parrots require so much attention that owners may adopt a pair. African greys are social birds that may prefer sharing a cage with a same-species companion.
If you get two African greys, seek out birds born and raised together. If this isn’t an option, the two birds need to go through a careful introduction process.
Always treat both parrots equally to avoid jealousy, even if one appears needier.
Signs of Happiness
When an African grey parrot is happy, it’s likely to display the following signs:
- Vocalizations: You’ll hear whistles, chirps, or happy sounds, especially at the start of the day.
- Active and curious: It’ll flap its wings, fly, climb, and explore its cage.
- Eating well: They will be excited about their favorite foods and drink enough water.
- Feather health: They should have vibrant, strong, and healthy feathers.
- Social behavior: An African grey is happiest in the company of humans and same-species parrots. It shows care and affection by nuzzling and preening its companions.
- Alertness: You should observe a curiosity about what’s happening in their environment.
- Body language: Its posture should be upright, and its feathers relaxed.
Parrots have unique personalities, but these behaviors provide an insight into their state of mind.
Behavioral Problems
Without training or the right living conditions, African greys can develop behavioral problems:
Aggressive Behavior
African greys aren’t naturally aggressive but can become so when scared or hurt. They’re easily agitated by other pets and may vocalize and display distress when they approach.
Jealousy
Parrots become attached to their owners, leading to jealousy toward people and other animals.
Stress
African greys are prone to stress when they lack socialization and mental stimulation.
The signs of stress in African greys include:
- Screeching.
- Self-mutilation.
- Stress bars (black horizontal lines across the feathers).
- Low feather quality.
- Feather discoloration.
- Biting.
- Lunging.
- Hissing.
Move the cage to a quieter location. Also, play, train, and interact with the bird more frequently.
Feather-destructive Behavior (FDB)
Self-mutilation is painful, so why do African grey parrots pick their feathers? It’s linked to diet, stress, and depression. When unstimulated, they remove feathers with their beaks to self-soothe.
Swearing
African greys are prone to repeating profanity. For example, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park had a problem with swearing and obscenities from African greys.
African greys will continue using words that garner a reaction, so be careful how you respond to inappropriate language. If you ignore it, the parrot will likely grow bored.
Bonding Together
Forming a successful bond with an African grey parrot is rewarding because they make affectionate companions. However, you must invest time to gain the parrot’s trust.
Spend as much time with your pet African grey as possible, as this will strengthen the parrot-owner bond. Parrots are social and emotionally advanced animals that crave one-on-one time.
Take the time to train the parrot, regularly play games, and teach them new tricks and vocabulary. The more time you dedicate to an African grey’s care, the stronger the bond will become.
