Taylor and Marshall Veterinary Surgeons
www.taylorandmarshallvets.co.uk
Phone 01952 460781
Fax 01952 461938
45 High Street
Shifnal
Shropshire, TF11 8BL
S M Taylor BVMS MVM MRCVS
C J Marshall MA Vet MB MRCVS
AFRICAN GREY PARROTS CARE SHEET
Parrots are complex, intelligent and very social birds. It is important to understand them to reduce the likelihood of
them developing behavioural and psychological problems. African Grey Parrots are good talkers and mimics.
These parrots should not be kept if you are out of the house at work all day. They need constant mental and
physical stimulation or they have a tendency to become frustrated feather pluckers.
The life of a wild parrot usually starts in a dark cavity, born with no feathers; eyes closed and know nothing except
how to beg for food. They are in close physical contact with their parents; they are fed frequent small meals so
they grow quickly. However, they continue learning from their parents for months and sometime years to develop
behaviourally and intellectually before they become independent.
During the learning curve they:
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Learn to interact with other birds and establish their social status
Learn how and what to eat, this often involves flying some distance to foraging areas, spending between 1 - 8
hours finding and feeding.
Learn how to recognise and avoid predators, and many other vital survival skills
Learn how to maintain their feathers properly
Perform physical activities purely for fun and exercise
When they reach sexual maturity, they choose a mate, form a pair bond, defend their nest and reproduce.
So, the life of a captive bred parrot is very different in many instances. They are often not challenged socially and
many are allowed to become “pack leader” even when still very young. It is vital to train your parrot to commands
and to give ground rules. Cages should be positioned so they are at chest height, or at least below human eye level.
Birds should be made hand tame and step up/step down when told, not sit above shoulder height, and also be
trained to fly to you on request. We will provide you with a basic training sheet to help. As a general rule we do
not wing clip as this will affect young birds’ balance and development as well as increase the risk of feather
plucking. In certain circumstances we will clip to help control a bird whilst training when a new addition to the
family, or for birds that persistently risk injuring themselves: I.e. those that don’t learn about windows etc.
DIET:
The diet of your parrot is incredibly important; a vast majority of health problems can arise from feeding the
commercial “parrot mix”. This diet is really too high in fat and is missing many essential nutrients. It is impossible
to provide the equivalent of a “wild diet”, captive parrots are often very fussy and selective feeders. African Grey
Parrots are a species prone to calcium imbalance and vitamin A problems. We recommend Harrison’s Formula
(HIGH POTENCY COARSE) for African Greys. Human table foods should be given in moderation for
stimulating interest and ideally be presented in such a way as to let the bird forage for them. Vegetables and a
small amount of fruit is ideal. Under no circumstances should parrots be fed crisps, chips, pizza, chocolate etc.
Birds will often take and investigate foods which they see an owner, or other birds eating, or which the owner
hands them.
PHOTOPERIOD
The natural photoperiod for many birds is twelve hours light and twelve hours dark.
In captivity, this is sometimes extended because of a family’s habits ( I.e. early risers, late night TV). This can lead
to stress, illness and feather plucking. It is important that the parrot has sufficient rest/sleep. We would recommend
the cage has a next box and is also covered up and placed in a quiet room to try and mimic a more natural
photoperiod e.g. 8pm - 8am DARK. This will often change a bird’s behaviour for the better, and can sometimes
help with establishing a new feeding pattern.
We would also recommend that you either purchase an avian day lamp to ensure your parrot gets sufficient
ultraviolet light, or allow your parrot to spend time in the sun outdoors in its cage. The Arcadia Avian lamp is
ideal.
We have supplied you with a copy of the Harrison’s Handbook for a Healthier Bird, which gives you excellent
information about your parrot’s care. Please ask us for any more information if you need it.