African Grey and Other Parrots

General Care of African Grey Parrots and Other Parrots

Parrots have been kept in captivity for generations as a fashionable home accessory. Recent generations have kept these feathered mimics for their intelligence and their companionship. The longevity of most species allows owners and birds to have a deeper, more familial connection with one another. It is advised in many instances to have a written legal document in which you clearly state where you wish your avian companion to reside if something were to happen.

There are so many wonderful avian rescues throughout the United States that have parrots waiting for new homes. Adopted parrots can be a challenge at times but the reward of trust and companionship is frequently worth even the worst screaming fits from your new adoptee. All Creatures Veterinary Hospital firmly supports the adoption of birds and a staff member can provide you with a list of different rescues that can match you with your perfect companion. If you want to raise a parrot from a young age there are numerous breeders for a variety of different species. All Creatures Veterinary Hospital has worked with many reputable breeders and the staff is always happy to help you get in contact with one.

What Is The Natural History Of Parrots?

African Grey Parrots (Psittacus spp.), Amazon Parrots (Amazona spp.), Pionus Parrots (Pionus spp.), and Eclectus Parrots (Eclectus roratus) are all commonly kept psittacines that come from a variety places around the world including Africa, South America, and Australia respectively. All four species come from rather lush tropical areas where they fly great distances to roost, forage, and interact with other flock members. Due to their natural behavior, they are more prone to obesity if not exercised enough in captivity.

These parrots are highly sociable and intelligent, often communicating great distances with vocalizations such as calls and songs. Parrots also communicate through body language using signals and various display behaviors. Very often, the behaviors that owners see as problematic stem from a very primitive instinct and have a specific meaning to that parrot. It is advisable to research your parrots natural behaviors prior to acquisition or even as problems arise. It is never too late to correct a behavior. There are various references listed in the “Suggested Reading and Reference” section to help you as well.

What Are Special Features Do Parrots Have?

The plumage varies between the species with colors from gray to bright green found in the feather color spectrum depending on the parrot species and in some cases such as the Eclectus, the gender. All parrots have hooked maxillas (top of the beak) that fit over the hooked mandibles (lower part of beak) that house a thick muscular tongue. All parrots have zygodactylous prehensile toes that allow them to hang upside down and hang sideways.

What Is The Housing For My Parrot?

The cage should at least be large enough for the wings to be fully extended without touching the sides of the cage. The larger the cage, the better it is for avian companions. All birds require “play time” outside of their cage where they can interact with their perceived flock (you!). It may be beneficial to leave a radio, TV, or video on for your parrot to listen to. This stimulation will help prevent boredom and any sense of flock abandonment your bird may feel while you are away. Cages should have vertical bars preferably made from stainless steel. Some home made cages are made of hardware cloth which should be avoided due to the possibility of zinc and lead exposure. A grated bottom will prevent the parrot from contacting its feces and old food. An excellent substrate to use under the grate is newspaper or paper towel. Both are inexpensive and easily cleaned while allowing you to visually access the parrots feces.

Perches should be made of various materials and available in a variety of sizes appropriate for your parrot. Perches that are too large will prevent proper foot positioning that will interfere with the parrots ability to “lock” their toes for secure perching. Perches that are too small however, place stress on the feet and can result in pressure sores. Harwood and rope perches are wonderful additions to any cage. Soft wood and cement perches should be avoided as soft woods can have sap or resin leftover and cement perches frequently leave pressure sores and abrasions on feet. If cement or sandpaper perches are used, always have other perches for the parrot to switch to.

Toys are a must for parrots. If your parrot does not play with the toys you have provided you will have to reassess and replace the toys. Some birds prefer wood, others plastic, some only shreddable toys. Be patient and take care to note what toy your parrot responds to. Play is an important part of a companion parrot's life for stimulation. Rotation of your toy stock is recommended every month or so. Take care to remove broken pieces from the cage.

Many researchers believe that UVB (ultra violet radiation B) is required for indoor birds to correctly synthesize vitamin D3 and to promote proper preening behavior. These lights are ideal especially for egg laying hens (female birds) and African Grey Parrots in general are prone to hypocalcaemia (calcium deficiency) and would benefit from an UVB light. The light must remain on for at least 6 hours a day. 

The typical light period for these parrots is 10 hours of light to 14 hours of darkness. The darkness however may be increased in hens that are overly reproductive. The temperature in the room should be comfortable for a person to wear a t-shirt as a rule of thumb. It is important to prevent any drafts from reaching your parrot as this can chill your bird and lead to potential health problems. It is advisable for all parrots to have their cages covered at night. This helps the bird feel secure as well as keeps the cage dark for maximum sleep.

It is important for your parrot’s mental health and physical well being to bathe daily. This preening behavior will keep their plumage in good condition allowing for better insulation and healthy skin. Bathing can be done in a shallow dish, a sink, shower, or with a gentle mister always using warm water. Most birds love to bathe on their own while others prefer to be sprayed gently. If your bird does not enjoy bathing in one style, try another. Remember, your bird should be completely dry before they are put to bed. 

What Should I Feed My Parrot?

Ideally, all companion parrots should be maintained on a formulated pelleted diet to maintain good health. In the pet stores however, seed is the staple for most parrot diets. Conversion from an all or mostly seed diet to a pelleted diet can be difficult. Patience and determination with a little bit of stubbornness will go a long way during the conversion process. Your parrot should never lose more than 10% of its body weight during conversion. If you see your bird is losing too much weight, return the bird to the previous diet and revise your conversion method. A All Creatures Veterinary Hospital staff member can give you a conversion handout and moral support as well as technical tips. A consumption of at least 50% of the pelleted diet during feedings is considered a winning situation. There are a variety of different pelleted diets available. Currently, All Creatures Veterinary Hospital recommends and sells Harrison’s and has samples of both Harrison’s and Zupreem parrot diets.

Supplementation with dark leafy greens and other vegetables is a welcome addition to any diet for most parrots. Many parrots view fresh produce as a stimulating play thing as well. Fruits should be limited due to the high sugar content which can cause obesity, runny stool, and mouth infections. Treats such as honey sticks should be avoided but healthy treats such as Lafeber Nutriberries and AviCakes are wonderful for bonding and training. Vitamin and mineral supplements should not be put into the water. The parrot should have fresh, clean water available at all times. Vitamin and mineral supplements may be used under the supervision of a veterinarian as these can lead to toxicity (over supplementation) or deficiency. Generally, if your parrot is consuming at least 50% of pelleted diet additional vitamin and mineral supplementation is not required or advisable.

Table scraps can be fed to your parrot during meals. Parrots enjoy eating socially and the sharing of food with their flock. Never feed your bird chocolate, avocado, raisins/grapes (especially if your bird feather picks), or caffeine. Feeding an inappropriate diet can lead to an overweight parrot.

What Are Some Common Parrot Health Problems?

• Feather Picking – This is one of the most common behavioral problems brought into the veterinary clinic. There are numerous reasons why a parrot feather picks including boredom, pain, and pruritic (itchy) skin. A visit to All Creatures Veterinary Hospital or our local exotics veterinarian for a full work up to eliminate causes is strongly recommended. Sometimes, behavioral consultation is required as well.
• Hypocalcaemia – A common problem in overly reproductive hens and African Grey Parrots. Feeding foods higher in calcium helps but may not be enough. Look for signs of weakness, swollen abdomen from possible egg retention, shaking, falling from perch, and seizure. This can lead to a serious condition called egg retention where the eggs are not released from the body. Call All Creatures Veterinary Hospital or your veterinarian immediately if you notice these symptoms.
• Hepatic Lipidosis – This disease is often called, “liver disease” and can result in overgrown beaks and nails in parrots. Typically brought on by obesity and high fat diets such as seed only diets. See Amazon pictured above this section. Conversion to pellets will be required as well as a visit to All Creatures Veterinary Hospital or your veterinarian as this can be life threatening.
• Upper Respiratory Disease – There are numerous causes of respiratory problems. Some are more serious than others but all must be addressed by your veterinarian. Signs to look for are trouble breathing, abnormal sounds when breathing, open mouth breathing, decreased appetite, nasal discharge, and lethargy. 
• PBFD – Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Virus – This is a chronic disease with signs of poor feather quality, feather loss, beak deformities and eventual death. Although an infected adult can live many years, neonates and immunosuppressed birds can die from exposure to this virus. There is no cure but medical management and supportive care can be attempted by your veterinarian. 
• PDD – Proventricular Dilatation Disease – This is a fatal disease commonly associated with weight loss despite a ravenous appetite, depression, chronic regurgitation, undigested food in feces, crop impaction and abdominal distension. This disease can be passed from bird to bird and is ultimately fatal. Call us immediately at (707) 940-8748 if these symptoms are seen.

?Suggested Reading and References for Parrots

• Avian Viruses: Function and Control - Branson W. Ritchie, DVM, PhD
• Behavior of Exotic Pets - Tynes
• BSAA Manual of Exotic Pets – 5th edition - Anna Meredith and Cathy Johnson-Delaney
• Tail Feathers Forum – www.tailfeathersnetwork.com
• The Perch – www.theperch.net
• The African Grey Parrot Handbook - Mattie Sue Athan
• Amazon Parrot - Gayle Souck
• The Second Hand Parrot - Mattie Sue Athan
• The Parrot Problem Solver - Barbara Heidenrich

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide helpful service to you and your pet. If you have any questions, give us a call at (707) 940-8748.

Content shared with permission by Erica Mede, CVT of Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital.