he is about 32 years old and i have noticed he has a weird discoloring on the tip and side of his beak he doesn't seem to be in any pain and it doesn't seem to bother him I'm just wondering if its something to worry about or if its normal? What can I say, I was a dumb kid and avian vets were unheard of where I lived. The Congo and the Timneh are the two principal sub-species of the African Grey parrot. This allows their pink blush to show whenever theyre excited, angry, or scared. Suspected beak infections must be biopsied and cultured so that proper medications (i.e., antibiotics vs. antifungal drugs) can be administered. However, these parrots can withstand anything up to 29-30 degrees. Wow, that is a huge gap. Each bird has its own individual need, so it should be easier to figure out how your pet feels when you spend time getting to know them. African Grey Parrots Conservation Status, Common Questions About African Grey Parrots. Once I was grown and learned more about birds, I was pretty sure his beak was like that due to heavy metal poisoning and liver damage. In addition to that, they need fresh vegetables such as arugula, kale, and sprouts and nutritious seeds like hemp and flaxseed. If you want to know about the Diseases African Grey Parrots Are Most Susceptible To, visit Beauty of Birds and get all the related information. Theyre working with Dr. Pepperberg to reach and hopefully transcend Alexs level. In winter, the installation of Neon-like Vita-Lite or Verilux Tru-bloom will play the same role. A deadly, highly contagious (air-borne disease). Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and nervous system abnormalities such as drunk behavior, nervousness, or a blind appearance. It is in early childhood, when the African gray is still very naive, sticky, and unsuspecting, that it must be manipulated and made to live safe adventures. Adoption may cost you around $500 to $1,000, but its still an excellent African gray parrot price. What's up with this? They come from different parts of Africa. This means less dust flying into your face as you clean the bottom. African greys are prone to stress if they lack socialization or mental stimulation. Required fields are marked *. Every bird has unique preferences and tastes. The gray feathers on its head, back, and upper chest are darker, while the feathers on its belly form a distinctive V shape over a lighter shade of grey. When a bird's beak begins overgrowing after years of appearing normal, it's usually a nutritional problem. You came to the right place because thats what we will focus on in this guide! To protect these species, the United States banned the importation of wild-caught African Grey specimens in 1992 under the Wild Bird Conservation Act. Which does not mean that it is a cushy bird far from it. Its larger than the Timneh, measuring 14-16 inches with a wingspan of 18-20 inches. Also, it helps to frequently change the bottom of your bird's cage. 1.12 2 - The head. Digestive issues can also be a sign of bacterial infections, nutritional deficiencies, or other terminal illnesses (e.g., Avian Ganglioneuritis). These birds can grow to be extremely sweet and affectionate. Bad Feather / Beak Condition; Missing and Misshapen Feathers: Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD). She was more scared than angry. Jeanne Smith, DVM. According to all avian veterinarians, the ideal temperature for African Grey Parrots is between 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. The circovirus causes the infamous PBFD (beak and feather rot disease). 2. Their wingspan ranges from 46cm to 52 cm. According toVCA Hospitals, inadequate nutrition is the leading cause of many health conditions. Parrot eat eggs that have vitamin A, D3, calcium, and proteins in them. But what makes these birds even more interesting is they dont just mimic sounds; they appear to understand the meaning of words. Their primary coverts are dark grey to almost black, and the wings are darker. Any comments? Your vet may prescribe vitamins, supplements, or probiotics to boost your parrot's immune system. If your parrot is diagnosed with PBFD, quarantine it from other birds, treat any secondary infections it has, and maintain a consistent, nurturing routine. % of people told us that this article helped them. Beak malformations are deformities in the shape of the beak. Their innate high intelligence is on par with a 5-year-old child. So please, take your parrot to the vet to ask their opinion. A bird should have a normal length of beak to function and survive. See in detail how to trim a parrot beak with a Dremel and nail file, by Dr. G. I had him about 9 years 'til he died at about 50 years old. Sugar or foods with caffeine can make them hyperactive, stressed, and crank, so better avoid feeding them with that stuff. To maintain African greys mental health, you should allow them to have a break outside their cage to explore. Flying is the best source of exercise for parrots, and exploring the room is entertaining. I Want My Free Ebook On Egg Laying Chickens, Origin and Natural Habitat of African Grey Parrot, African Grey Parrots Behavior and Personality, Talking Abilities of African Grey Parrots. Getting African greys to bond with other humans takes time and effort. The eyes of a sick bird are half-closed or almond-shaped. The African Grey is a highly intelligent parrot species that predisposes them to boredom potentially leading to behavioral problems, such as plucking. Monty has always had problems with his beak, as with his feet and flight feathers. Its contagious. The wings are almost black. African Grey Parrot Behavior can become the best companion in the world, as long as we respect his needs and nature. Less fearful and more rebellious. He seems to classify any human or object around him in two categories: 1) Dangerous.2) Possibly dangerous.3) Normal and safe. Since African gray parrots are prone to Vitamin A deficiency, theyll benefit from eating foods with loads of beta-carotene like sweet potato and fresh kale. Awesome, right? But this long lifespan also means that keeping an African grey is a lifelong commitment because they can even outlive you when cared for properly. Their beaks may become sharp, long, and brittle. African greys, like all parrots, are messy birds. Be careful not to leave old or moldy fruit or other food in the cage. African birds are grey parrots with white masks and grey plumage with white accents on a scallop feather pattern and red tail. Interestingly, this particular area of the mouth gives up a lot of information about your bird's health. So, lets get a close-up look at African Greys world. This will make him more receptive. The grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), also known as the Congo grey parrot, Congo African grey parrot or African grey parrot, is an Old World parrot in the family Psittacidae . Additionally, African greys need a schedule and routine, so one may not work for you if your schedule varies, you work long hours, or you travel a lot. There are two types of African grey: the timneh and Congo. I, too, inherited a Grey from my grandfather that was a "senior citizen bird". Plumage gray ash, bright red tail. African Grey Parrot Care, Interaction, Feeding, Training and Common Mistakes. Disease pathogen not thought to be airborne. Despite the old fable that tells the story of how African greys got their tails, African grey parrots are much sought after due to their high intellect, loyalty, and sociable nature. Itd help if youd introduce him to new people and situations. Manzi's beak doesn't fit perfectly together. Infected birds may show symptoms such as loss of appetite, fluffy . These will be his favorite places to be comfortable in order to give his best vocal performances (speaking, singing). The African grey can in no case trust or respect someone who has violent and aggressive reactions, both in voice and in gestures. They're widely considered among the most intelligent species and must be kept entertained to stave off boredom. The look is absent. It is easy enough to differentiate that depending on whether an African Grey developed these red feathers over time (which would be an indication of health problems), or whether they were born with it, which would point towards genetics / mutation. If I were you I would take to a vet for a health exam and have a calcium level drawn to see if he is getting enough. Parrots like African greys can bond well with their owners. Supplementing the parrots diet with calcium and Vitamin D, and providing access to natural light are important factors in preventing this problem. According to the Center forAnimal Rehab and Education, the bars should be to 1 inch apart to avoid injury and prevent escape. Abnormal beak development is also a possible symptom of a vitamin D deficiency. Bird Type: African Grey Parrot; Cockatiel; Bird Cage Type: Floor Theyre highly interactive, and they want to connect with their owners. African Grey Parrot Behavioral Problems. The African grey is a medium-sized parrot with a bare facial patch. The eye region is a dazzling white skin patch without any feathers. Parrots should be fed orange, red, and yellow fruits and vegetables, such as: Commercial seed mixes are high in fat and low in essential nutrients. African Greys are Susceptible to: Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, PBFD, Beak . However, raising African greys require lots of time, effort, and money. But well also share their downside so youll know the challenges youll have to deal with in the future. However, African greys are: African grey parrots have specific requirements, including: If you have the time and patience to look after an African grey, itll make a rewarding pet. This genius bird species is gifted with excellent talking abilities. African greys have continuously growing beaks that need regular filing to keep them healthy. It is the commonest cause of seizures and central nervous disease in the breed so it is important to be aware of it. You can learn a lot. Please visit our website for full detailed info on these babies -- www.Jcaviary.com-- Please . When I was a kid, I had a parakeet with a fast growing upper beak. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Last Updated: July 8, 2020 Balance - falling off its perch and huddling at the bottom of cage. feathers underneath the tail are dark red. Behavior and character of the African grey n This bird needs to feel safe in the environment in which it evolves. Factors that affect the price include: Usually, older parrots are more expensive because theyve been trained and socialized. Splash your parrot to encourage it to take a bath, or mist it with a spray bottle. Conclusion. Young grey parrots are more commonly infected by psittacine beak and feather disease than adults. African Gray parrots are medium-sized, but they need a spacious cage measuring around 36 X 24 x 48to be comfortable. African greys have bright red tails, which are instantly recognizable against their light grey plumage. If your bird loses appetite, has difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly, sneezes and coughs, is inactive, and has a bluish tint on the skin and mucous membranes, its best to bring him to the vet immediately. But both parents are attentive to their chicks and tend to their needs by providing food for them. Skeletal problems: of African Grey via reachyourneed. Those who breed parrots would do well to have them checked annually by a veterinarian who has extensive experience with parrots. Forewarned is forearmed, or so they say, and this is especially true when it comes to your bird's beak. There are many Grey owners here. - Martin Monderdale 2015-12-15 African Grey Parrots are exceptional birds. Common Diseases and Syndromes in African Grey. These birds have no feather or beak anomalies. 5 Smartest Pet Birds Meet the Most Clever Birds in the World! As soon as the problem is removed, theyll quieten down. African greys need between 12-14 hours of sleep. Similarly, if theyre unhappy with their environment or surroundings, theyll show their displeasure with a series of persistent, unpleasant sounds. Theyre okay at normal room temperature. The symptoms of vitamin A deficiency include sneezing, nasal discharge, poor feather quality, polyuria and polydipsia, feather picking, and anorexia. Other species, such as greenwing and Catalina macaws, have light-colored beaks. Gray, more than other parrots, needs a calm, safe and peaceful environment. A. fumigatus is the most common species of the fungus to cause disease, although A. flavus, A. niger, and others can also cause problems. Some have even lived beyond 40 to 60 years in captivity. PDF. Parrot disease (psittacosis) is caused by Chlamydophila bacteria. They can speak foreign languages, tell jokes, count numbers, and identify colors, shapes, and materials. During stress or physical exertion, a healthy bird quickly finds habitual constants (heart, breathing, balance, the righteousness of the body, ). 11-13 inches (28-33 cm) Weight. Welcome to our flock. Beautyofbirds.com's team of experts includes veterinarians, biologists, environmentalists and active bird watchers. The tail feathers range in color from dark red to brown or maroon, and the undertail-coverts are stained with dark red or maroon. hi every one about 2 months ago we got our african gray from my grandpa who passed away. If your parrot stands upright, the wings glued to the body at equal height, the eyelids open and the eyebright then it has a normal attitude. The pic Jane showed you is my little male I am happy to say it is all fixed now. This is your bridge to the parrot world African Grey,Congo, Timneh, Macaw Cockatoo,Amazon,Electus,Lovebird,Galah, Symptoms of a sick Parrot and what to do before going to your avian vet, how to feed parakeets fruits and vegetables, Conure lifespan in the wild and in captivity, How to Get Rid of Mites on Parakeets at home, All Different Types of Green Parrots (with Pictures). The beak has a pink tint with black sides. It isn't really bad luckily. Thats quite a feat for a bird. A possible sign of mites. Thats why infected birds should undergo isolation. But on the brighter side, they usually offer free shipping, travel cages, and toys. Some African greys can survive being alone for up to 8 hours, but others need more attention and can be left alone for just a few hours. You must be careful when handling them because they may hurt you too. So, you must be ready for the responsibility of tending to your birds needs when planning to adopt an African grey. They may even curve inward. In contrast, gray begins to speak later than other parrots, around the age of 12 to 18 months. African Greys also love chewing things up. How to Treat Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease in African Grey Parrots, https://www.beautyofbirds.com/africangreydiseases.html, http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1829&aid=2592, http://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/mycotic-diseases-of-pet-birds, https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/african-grey-parrot/. What Are The Challenges of Sustainable Farming? The Congo African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) lives in smaller coastal areas of Africa, including Guinea, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. Equatorial Africa. It lives in the tropical forest under the canopy between 15 and 25 meters from the ground. Birds cannot resist the steam from highly heated non-stick pans (PTFE), they can die. A mature bird has pale yellow iris or corn. Did you know that vitamin A is critical for an avians healthy immune system? This is a great lab to use if you are working on a bird unit, or even talking about animal adaptations with your students. He may favor the person he prefers to the point of excluding all other family members. - The Happy Chicken Coop - All Rights Reserved. It is the part of the palate that serves as a barrier between the throat and the nasal passages. Sexual maturity: 4-6 years. The area around the eyes and above the nose lacks feathers, exposing a bright white skin patch. Theyre the smartest parrot in the world. The African grey parrot is one of the most talented talking/ mimicking birds on the planet, giving it quite a reputation among bird enthusiasts. To make him feel safe, gray needs to see everything thats going on around him. Head bobbing in parrots may imply theyre afraid or anxious to go somewhere. However, theyre high-maintenance birds that require entertainment and mental stimulation. The species is largely frugivorous, eating seeds, nuts, and fruit from multiple genera, including Bombax, Ficus, Macaranga, and Raphia, with a special preference for the fruit of the .