How to Keep Your Timneh Happy and Inquisitive
African Greys are famous talkers and mimics, accurately reproducing household sounds such as the ring of a phone or the beep of the microwave. They also have the capacity to develop huge vocabulary of words and in certain cases, mimic human voices so well that they can even recognise the person they are speaking to.
Breeding
The African grey is a very intelligent bird, and is one of the most vocal parrots. They can be trained to master tricks and other skills as well. They are a highly expressive and social bird with distinct personalities, and possess strong emotional and empathy reactions. They can be extremely demanding and can form bonds of trust with one person. They are also destructive and chew, pluck or inflict other self-mutilation techniques for many reasons.
African greys have a strong pair bond in the wild, and this behaviour often carries over to the captive environment. They are tolerant of other family members but will often become attached to a particular member of the household. They aren't the most cuddly animals. They are prone to feather plucking and may cause injury or bites to members of their family who don't spend enough time with them.
It is recommended to set up the cage in a bright and free of drafts. A large playpen is also an ideal choice, as it allows the bird spread its wings when it feels the need to. The cage should be stocked with toys, such as swings for parrots, chains, bells, climbing ropes, and birds toys that break. The timneh african grey can be taught to use these toys to exercise and enhance its mental abilities.
They are extremely vocal birds and can pick up words and sounds very quickly. They are even able to accurately imitate human voices and in some cases, discern the person they are talking to. They have been reported to "blow the whistle" on cheating spouses, by repeatedly calling their names out and using the spouse's voice.
In their natural habitat these birds forage on the treetops in search of fruits, seeds, nuts and vegetables. In captivity, their diet must consist of a mixture high-quality parrot seeds, sprouts and vegetables, along with grains, nuts and commercially prepared parrot food. Seeds shouldn't constitute an important portion of the diet, as they are extremely fatty and deficient in many of the vitamins and minerals required for a healthy parrot.
You can also learn how to care for yourself.
African grey parrots have a natural curiosity and intelligence. They need regular mental stimulation, enrichment in the environment, and vet care to thrive. They can be easily stressed by the introduction of new foods or people, and may exhibit behavioral problems such as self-mutilation and feather plucking. Finding the root cause behind these behaviors is crucial to addressing them successfully.
While both Congo and Timneh african grey parrots can speak, the former usually begins talking earlier than the latter around 6 months of age. The gender of the parrots does not seem to matter, but it's important to start learning to speak at an early age. Both African greys are also adept in mimicking everyday sounds, from knocks on the door to the sound of phantom phone rings.
The cage should be large enough to allow the parrots move around and extend their wings, and made out of materials that last and able to stand up to chewing. It should have perches that are of different thicknesses to accommodate the feet as well as toys they can chew or preen and then destroy. Toys that stimulate the bird to utilize his brain are beneficial and should be rotated regularly. This will keep your bird mentally and physically active, and prevent boredom that can cause behavioural issues.
To ensure that the Timneh African gray has a healthy diet, it is essential to offer a variety of meals, such as fruits, seeds, sprouts, vegetables, nuts and commercial pellets. The birds are prone to calcium deficiencies and can be fed cuttlefish bones or calcium block to fight this issue. They can also be fed leafy greens, which are high in vitamins and minerals.
Timneh African grays require in constant contact with their humans. They can become shy when they aren't given the attention they need. This could lead to unwholesome behaviors like screaming, biting, or plucking feathers. It is important to get them socialized from a young stage.
Feeding
buy a grey parrot are among the most routinely oriented and observant species of parrots. They will respond negatively to even the smallest changes in their environment. This is why it's important to take time to help them become less sensitive to new things and situations to allow them to be able to enjoy the excitement of new things without excessive stress. They are emotional and compassionate creatures that have distinct personalities and tend to be demanding of their owners to pay attention.
Timneh African Grey Parrots are excellent mimickers and talkers, similar to their ancestors, the Congo African Greys. They can master massive vocabulary and imitate sounds from the home with incredible accuracy, including the ring of a telephone or the beep of microwaves. They are very good at imitating human voices as well and are often so precise that you can identify the person they're imitating.
In the wild, this species can be found in various habitats, ranging from dense forests to open savannahs. The climate is usually warm and sunny, but can be chilly in winter. They can live up to 40-50 years in captivity.
Both the Congo and the Timneh african grey parrot are extremely social birds that require a lot of interaction with their owners. If they feel neglected or bored, they'll be loud and vocal to express their frustration. They can also develop behavioural issues such as feather plucking or self-mutilation for various physical and psychological reasons. To avoid these, it's important to give them plenty of stimulation for their minds with chew toys and puzzles.
They enjoy playing and a large cage with enough space for them to run around will provide them with the space they need. The cage should be located in a tranquil area of the home away from drafts and noise. Keep the cage away from air conditioning vents and windows, as these can cause it to overheat.
A supply of fresh clean water is required throughout the day, and food and water dishes must be cleaned daily. A healthy diet should contain seeds, fruits vegetables, commercial pellets and nuts. They must be fed at least two times a day, and given plenty of healthy food in between.
Health
African Greys are considered to be the most intelligent parrots. They can mimic human speech, and can communicate things you might not think they've learned. They can be great companions but must be stimulated by lots of activities. Boredom can lead to feather plucking, or other undesirable behaviors. To keep your Timneh entertained, provide them with a variety of durable toys that are safe for birds.
These birds are as intelligent as a toddler and love being challenged as do you. The boredom of these birds can cause them to behave in a bizarre manner, such as screaming, biting or even plucking their feathers. To keep them entertained, it is important to provide lots of non-destructible birds to play with. Also, allow them to roam around in their cage.
It is essential to look for signs of stress in your African Grey. It could be as simple as changing their diet or moving furniture around, or more severe like seizures or gaining weight. It is also important to observe changes in their behavior, like becoming more aggressive or avoiding human interaction. Watching for these signs will aid in identifying any potential health issues early and provide them with the treatment they require.
It is crucial to check their calcium levels each vet visit. It is also beneficial to add more leafy greens to their diet. This includes kale and mustard greens. This helps to ensure that their dietary requirements are met and they are healthy. Additionally, they require fresh clean water every day. It is recommended to keep them at different locations and to clean the dishes for food and water each day.