How to Keep Your Timneh Happy and Inquisitive
African Greys are famous mimics and talkers, perfectly reproducing sounds from the home like the ringing of the phone or the beep of the microwave. They also have large vocabularies of words and in certain instances, imitate human voices so well that they can even recognise the person they are talking to.
Breeding
The African grey is a highly intelligent bird, and one of the most vocal parrots. They can be trained to master tricks and other skills as well. They are extremely expressive and social bird with distinct personalities that can possess strong emotional and empathy responses. These birds can be quite demanding and can form an intense bond with a single person. They can be destructive, and can bite, pluck or even inflict self-mutilation.
African greys have a strong bond with each other in the wild, and this behavior often extends to in captivity. They can tolerate other members of the family, but often become attached to one member. They aren't cuddly creatures. They are prone to feather plucking and may cause injury or bites to members of their family who aren't spending enough time with them.
alex the african grey parrot is recommended to put the cage in a bright and free of drafts. A large playpen would also be a good option, since it lets the bird spread its wings when required. The cage should be filled with toys, such as swings for parrots, chains bells, climbing ropes, and birds toys that break. These toys can be used to exercise and stimulate the timneh's cognitive abilities.
They are extremely talkative and pick up on the sounds and words quickly. They are even able to accurately imitate human voices, and in some cases, recognize the person they are speaking to. They are known to "blow up" on cheating spouses by calling their names and using their spouse's voice.
In their natural environment, these birds graze on the tops of trees in search of fruits, seeds, nuts and vegetables. Their diet in captivity must include an assortment of high-quality parrot pellets, sprouts, grains, vegetables, nuts and commercially-formulated parrot food. Seeds should not comprise a significant portion of the diet because they are fatty and lack many of the minerals and vitamins needed for a healthy parrot.
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African grey parrots have an instinctual curiosity and intelligence. To thrive, they need stimulation of their minds and enrichment of their surroundings. They also require veterinary attention. Changes in routine, food choices or people can cause stress. They can also show behaviors that are problematic, such as feather plucking. Finding the root cause behind these behaviors is key to successfully addressing them.
Both Timneh and Congo african grey parrots can talk however the latter usually begins talking around 6 months. Gender does not appear to play a role in the ability of either species to talk, but it is important that training begin at a young age. Both African greys are masters of mimicking everyday household sounds, such as knocks on doors, and the phantom phone ring.
The cage for these parrots should be large enough to allow ample movement and wing extension and is constructed of durable materials that can stand up to chewing. It should have perches that are of various thicknesses for the feet and toys they can chew and preen, as well as destroy. Toys that stimulate them to use their brains are particularly beneficial and should be rotated regularly. This keeps your bird mentally and physically engaged, preventing boredom that can cause behavioural issues.
To ensure that the Timneh African gray has a healthy diet, it's important to provide a variety of food like fruits, seeds, sprouts and vegetables, nuts and commercial pellets. These birds are prone to calcium deficiencies and may be fed cuttlefish bones or calcium block to fight this issue. You can also provide them with leafy greens that are rich in minerals and vitamins.
Like all parrots the Timneh African grey needs plenty of interaction with its humans. They can become shy when they don't get the attention they need. This could lead to unwholesome behavior like screaming, biting, and plucking feathers. Jealousy can also be an issue, which is why it is essential that these birds are socialized at a young age.
Feeding
African greys are among the most observant and keenly observed parrot species. They can be irritable to even small changes in their environment. It is essential to de-sensitize them to new situations and things to allow them to enjoy the novelty without stress. They are empathetic and emotional creatures that have distinct personalities and are demanding of their owners their attention.
Similar to their relatives, the Congo African Greys, Timneh African grey parrots can be exceptional mimickers and talkers. They can master massive vocabulary and imitate sounds from the home with amazing accuracy, such as the ringing of a phone or the sound of a microwave. They are very good at mimicking human voices as well and are often so precise that you can identify the individual they're imitating.
In the wild, this species can be found in a variety of habitats from open forests to dense Savannah areas. The climate is generally warm and sunny but cool in winter. They can live for 40-50 years in captivity.
Both the Timneh african gray parrot and the Congo are social birds that require lots of interaction from their owners. If they are bored or unappreciated, they will quickly protest by squealing. For a variety of mental and physical reasons, they can also develop behaviour issues such as self-mutilation and feather plucking. To prevent these from happening, it's important to give them plenty of mental stimulation with chew toys and puzzles.
They love to play, so a large cage that allows them to move around will provide them with the space they need. The cage should be placed in a quiet area of the home away from drafts and noise. Place the cage away from windows and air conditioning vents, as these can cause the cage to overheat.
A supply of clean, fresh water is required at all times, and food and water dishes must be cleaned daily. A healthy diet should consist of fruits, seeds vegetables, commercial pellets and nuts. They are fed twice a day and provided with plenty of other nutritious foods in between feeds.
Health
African Greys are thought to be the most intelligent of parrots. They are renowned for their ability to mimic human speech, and can communicate many things you may think they've never learned. They can be excellent companions, but they must be stimulated by numerous activities. The boredom of a pet can lead to feather plucking or other bad behavior. The presence of a variety of durable bird-safe toys to play with will keep your Timneh happy and entertained.
These birds are as smart as a two-year-old and love being challenged as do you. The boredom of these birds can result in the birds screaming, biting, or plucking their own feathers. To keep them entertained, it is essential to provide plenty of non-destructible toy birds to play with. Also, let them to explore their cage.
It is important to watch for signs of stress in your African Grey. This could be something as simple as eating a different diet or a change in furniture, or it can be more serious, such as if they have seizures or are losing weight. Be aware of any changes in their behavior such as becoming more aggressive or avoiding social interaction. These signs can help you detect any potential health issues early and provide the necessary treatment.
It is essential to test their calcium levels each vet visit. Adding more leafy green vegetables to their diet could help as well. These include kale, mustard greens, Swiss chard and spinach. This will help ensure their nutrition needs are met and also ensure they are healthy. In addition, they require fresh clean water every day. It's best to have it available at multiple locations and to clean their water dishes and food items every day.