African Grey

The Most Popular Pet Parrot - African Grey

2010-04-03T18:12:00.000+02:00

Of all the parrots you can buy the African Grey Parrot is the best talker and it is also one of the easiest to teach to speak. As long as you practice with them a lot, the African Parrot can develop an impressive vocabulary and it will eventually be able to carry on short conversations or tell you what it wants. If you get to this point, your life will be a lot easier because you no longer have to guess at what your bird wants; it will just tell you.

Another reason the African Greys are so popular is because they are quite easy to keep. Unfortunately, 'easy to keep' does not mean the same thing as 'clean bird'. They can be pretty messy, but you will get used to it.

There are two different types of African Grey: the Congo African Grey and the Timneh African Grey. You can tell them apart by their coloration. The Congo is light grey in color and its tail is red; in contrast, the Timneh is dark grey with a maroon tail. The differences are not glaring, but they are visible.

Although they are easy to keep, African parrots require an owner who understands their needs. For example, if their intellectual needs are not met these parrots may develop behavioral problems, such as feather picking (self-mutilation). Also, if these parrots are not properly trained they may start biting or chewing the wires of their cage.

Even though, the African Parrot is considered easy to keep you still have to know what you are doing to understand its needs to the fullest.

Ryan Benson is an African Grey parrot enthusiast. For more great tips on the African parrot visit http://www.parrottrainingsecret.com.

About the Author

Ryan Benson has been a life-long parrot owner and enthusiast. He has become well informed in all areas of parrot care and ownership. He has even published several books in the field including his latest "The Ultimate Parrot Training Secrets" which is instantly downloadable from his website. You will also want to take advantage of his free 10 Part Parrot Training Mini-Course. You can sign up on his website.

Interesting Facts About the African Grey Parrot

2010-04-03T18:10:00.000+02:00

Of the African parrots the species best known for its intelligence and vocabulary has to be the African Grey parrot. There are actually two subspecies of African Grey parrot, the Congo African Grey and the Timneh African Grey. Visually you can tell the 2 varieties apart as the Congo African Grey is light grey in coloring with a red tail whereas the Timneh African Grey is a darker colored grey and has more of a maroon colored tail.

The African Grey originates in the Central region of Africa and is indigenous to The Congo, Zaire, Cameroon and Uganda with lesser amounts of birds having spread out to neighboring countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Angola. Due to the general economic climate in this part of the world it is estimated that over 20% of the natural population of these parrots are captured each year primarily to sell in the pet trade and as such they have been elevated on the Avian conservation status to 'Near Threatened' which is one class away from them become a protected species.

Prices of African Greys can differ quite a lot due to a number of reasons such as the age of the parrot, if it has been certified and where are you buying the parrot from, however the guidelines are that you should expect to pay between $150 to over $1000 with the Congo African variety seeming to fetch more money than the Timneh. This is a somewhat strange situation as the Timneh is in no way inferior to the Congo except that it is slighlty smaller and has a different coloring but they both have the ability to mimic sounds and indeed talk using an extensive vocabulary. However what isn't strange is that with both types of African Greys if they are hand reared they usully make better pets rather than imported birds which have been caught in the wild as these birds will usually be nervous of humans and display this in their behaviour, being aggressive nipping and sometimes growling.

Although African Greys make excellent pets because of their intelligence and ability to speak this does not mean that they are an easy pet to keep. Firstly as with most medium to large parrots the African Grey can live up to 60 years and beyond, so they are a large undertaking for their owner and their owners family. Also they need a fair amount of interaction each day and it is recommended that you to take your parrot out of its birdcage for at least one hour every day and sometimes a longer spell of up to 3 hours to keep the parrot happy and healthy.

I haven't detailed any of the other requirements you wouild need to successfully keep an African Grey as a pet such as, the correct diet, birdcage, lighting and toys etc but I have given you a little history as well as their price range and an indication of the dedication required to own what is a fantastic parrot and a fantastic pet.

About the Author

Robert Markman is an African parrot expert and has been caring for parrots for over 18 years. For more great information on the African parrot visit www.parrotadviceguide.com

African Parrots - The African Grey

2010-03-02T19:50:00.002+02:00

One of the more popular species of African parrot that is kept as a pet is the African Grey parrot and the reason is that not only are they attractive to look at, they are also highly intelligent and importantly they are one of the easier species of parrot to care for.

There are actually 2 varieties of African Grey, the Timneh African grey and the Congo African grey. They both grow in size to around 10 - 14 inches, so they are a medium sized parrot. The Congo African grey is distinguished by lighter grey coloring and red tail feathers. The Timneh is more charcoal in color, a darker grey and has maroon tail feathers.

As their name suggest these birds originate from in and around the central regions of Africa an area which is located on the equator, which in turn means that these birds are not only acclimatized to warm weather but also having between 8-12 hours of sunlight all of the year round. This is important when you creating a suitable home environment for your African Grey as you need to replicate these conditions as closely as is practical for you at home. Your parrot's cage must be placed in a location out of any drafts, so usually away from doorways or main walk ways through the house and in order to receive the sufficient amount of sunlight required you will need to purchase a full spectrum light. It is not adequate to place your birdcage by a window even if you are lucky enough to get anywhere near 8-12 hours of daylight because domestic windows block the essential UVB and UVA rays that parrots need as an essential part of their health.

The African Grey is reasonably expected to live to 60 years old and beyond depending on its diet and environment but certainly living this long is a common occurrence in the wild without any unnatural exterior factors imposing themselves. With such a long life expectancy for a pet you need to take careful consideration before choosing to adopt an African parrot as they are a long term commitment and may well outlive their owner.

African Grey's are very intelligent and have even been compared by some scientists and experts to having the intelligence of a dolphin or a chimpanzee. This makes for very entertaining company for you but it also means that your bird will need mental stimulation in the form of interaction or playing with their parrot toys, otherwise you could risk your parrot becoming bored which is a common occurrence. This boredom often leads to behavioral problems for your bird and they may well start picking their own feathers or become much more vocal and boisterous than normal. Also your parrot's behavior may well deteriorate if you change their daily schedule or their surroundings.

African parrots, especially African Grey's make wonderful pets because of their personality and intelligence and they are often trained to actually talk and can develop quite a large vocabulary as well as mimic sounds but hopefully you now have a small insight into some of the basics that you are required by you in order to get the best out of your parrot and keep them happy and healthy.

About the Author

Robert Markman is an African parrot expert. For more great tips on the African parrot visit http://www.parrotadviceguide.com.

Parrot Birds Tips - Choosing a Cage for the Parrot

2010-03-02T19:49:00.000+02:00

If you have a desire to keep a parrot at your home, then the foremost contemplation should be an enclosure where it is to be kept. Keep in mind that the habitat of the parrot directly influences its health. It should be obvious that every parrot possessor will like to keep the parrot in an enclosure. But remember that the cage should be spacious as it requires good space to live in. This will help in the growth of the parrot.

When you are going to buy a cage then always look for a good and right dimension. This should be understood that all types of parrot cannot be kept in the similar cage. The specie of the parrot also determines which type of an enclosure you should have. So, before you buy a parrot it should be well understood that which type of cage should be selected so that the parrot can be kept in their satisfactorily.

There are many varieties of cages with so many different sizes which you can wonder. But, the specie of the parrot very much affects the type and the size of the cage. For instance, the specie of a parrot like an African Grey or the Blue Crown Conjure requires a cage with a size of 18x18x18 inch. Also for an Eclectic Parrot and the Senegal Parrot, the same dimensions mentioned above would be perfect. In this way different parrots have varying cage dimensions.

The dimensions of an enclosure may vary with the specie of many parrots. For instance, for the parrots like the Amazon Parrot, the Quaker Parrot or the Macaws the cage dimensions of about 30x30x30 inch would work. Also, for the Umbrella Cockatoos, some dimension of about 36x30x72 inch would be ok. For a Conjure a cage with size measurement of around 20x20x24 inch would be fine in order to keep your parrot cheerful, relaxed and healthy.

There are many kinds of parrots seen and they too have distinct sizes of an enclosure. If you keep the Coffin Cockatoo as a pet then the cage should have a preferable size of around 48x36x48 inch. The same dimensions would also be good for the Moluccas Cockatoo. Now for the Rose Breasted Cockatoo then you should go for the cage dimensions of around 36x36x36 inch. The parrots which are small in nature can stay in an enclosure of around 18x22x24 inches. For instance the parrot Quaker Parakeet is of this type. For different other tiny species like Cockatiels and Budgies the cage dimensions of around 18x18x24 inches and 20x12x18 inches respectively would be fine. Remember that the entrance of the cage should be good and big so that the parrot can enter and exit from the cage easily.

The devices that you use while serving food and water to the parrots also play an important role other than the cage dimensions. You must keep things such as cups to serve water to the parrots and also toys so that the parrot can catch these things from inside of the cage very easily.

About the Author

Learn some tips when traveling with your parrot as well as more insights into different types of pet parrots when you visit http://www.parrotbirds.net

African Grey Parrots - 5 Things That Really Matter to Your African Grey Parrot

2010-03-02T19:46:00.000+02:00

If you own an African Grey Parrot, you know that they are beautiful, have the potential for an extensive vocabulary, and are literally your friend for life because of their long life spans.

With proper care their life span can easily exceed 50 years. And here are 5 things that you can do for your Grey that really matter.

1. Spacious Living Quarters--The more space you can provide, the happier you Grey will be. It will reward you in countless ways including but not limited to a great disposition, and a bird that's always happy to see you. The minimum size for housing should be large enough for your bird to fully spread its wings while facing any direction in the cage.

The bar width should be narrow enough so your bird cannot get its head caught between the bars. And there should be lots of horizontal perches to allow your Grey to climb without restricting its ability to spread its wings. Stainless steel cages are expensive, but they are without doubt the best value for the money. They do not chip, rust, or peel, and they are strong enough to withstand chewing from your parrot's very strong beak. A stainless cage will last for the life of your bird.

2. Fresh Food and Water- Your parrot will enjoy eating fresh organic vegetables, fruits, sprouted seeds, and a very high quality pellet mix. And it goes without saying that clean water should be available constantly. Be careful not to feed your bird too much Vitamin C if you are using a pellet diet as this can cause its body to absorb too much iron and lead to Iron Overload Disease.

It is always best to consult with your avian vet about what to feed, as well as how much and how often. It is easy to speak in generalities about Greys, but because each bird is different, talking with your vet who has your bird's blood work and vitals makes for a more accurate diet that is sure to be appropriate for your particular bird.

3. An Attentive Owner- Providing a good home physically is only a part of what makes a good home for your African Grey. It will need your support in adjusting to your home, and to others in your family. Setting aside at least several hours each day for human interaction will serve you well in making a loyal, friendly, and loving companion.

African Greys have phenomenal vocabularies, and tend to respond with appropriate conversational language. Spending time with them, and encouraging their language skills can be highly rewarding for both you and your bird. Short but daily sessions of 10 minutes or less will yield a parrot that is obedient and a joy to be around.

A bird that is kept alert and engaged is less likely to engage in destructive behaviors such as chewing, biting, and feather plucking. Always praise your bird, and keep training sessions short, and fun.

4. A Great Selection of Toys- Because of their incredible intelligence African Greys can become easily bored. Keep boredom at bay by offering a variety of toys that you rotate in and out of the cage. This keeps new toys appearing constantly and gives them little chance to become bored. Continually inspect toys to make sure they remain safe for play. Remove those that have even the slightest potential of causing harm.

5. A HEPA Air Purifier to Filter Their Air- All birds, parrots included, have highly efficient and sensitive respiratory systems. And when they are kept indoors, unless you actively filter the air, their airways will easily become clogged with dander, feathers, dust and other particulates.

Clogged airways are almost always the beginning of disease and infection. And because birds are able to hide their illness so well, they can be gravely ill before they ever show signs. And often, by then it is too late.

A high efficiency particle arresting air purifier will eliminate the airborne white powder dust that Greys are so well known for, as well as their dander and other particulates as small as .3 microns. Taking these pollutants out will help keep you and your African Grey healthy and happy for many years to come.

About the Author

An excellent HEPA air purifier to remove airborne powder and dander from your African Grey's air can be seen now at http://purerair.com/bird_dust_air_purifier.html

African Greys AS Pets--What to Expect And What Your Grey Is Depending On From You

2010-03-02T19:44:00.000+02:00

The African Grey has been a popular pet for a long time. King Henry VIII shared his home with one back in the 16th century. Its popularity stems from its great intelligence, beautiful appearance, and its ability to speak.

Considering the following information as you make your choice will help you decide if this is the bird for you, and if so, will result in a happier relationship between you and your Grey.

Social Needs--This is a bird that needs a fair amount of social interaction to stay healthy emotionally and mentally. It should be placed in an active part of your home so that it can observe all that goes on.

It also needs to be allowed out of the cage for at least an hour each day and given one on one human interaction. Introducing a variety of people will keep them from being wary of strangers and will allow them to bond with those other than the main caregiver.

Toys and Housing--Because they are so intelligent, they need to be in a stimulating environment that includes a variety of toys that are rotated frequently, toys that they can tear apart without injury, and toys that contain food or treats that they must work to remove.

They need a large cage that is at least 4 feet long by 3 feet deep and 3 feet high with a solid back, or that is placed against a wall to provide a feeling of security. Perches should be placed at various levels around the room for their use when they are out of the cage. Allowing your parrot to spend time out of the cage insures a happier and healthier bird-both physically and mentally.

Growth and Development--Greys take a fairly long time to "grow up". They are not considered adults until they are about 10 years old. It is important that during these first 10 years obedience training is a regular part of your daily routine. This will help your Grey get along well with both humans and other pets when it reaches adulthood.

Food--Diet should consist of pellets, a minimum of seeds, and daily offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables (organic is best). There is a long list of foods that are deadly. They include but are not limited to alcohol, avocado,caffeine, chocolate, garlic, onions, and rhubarb.

Birds are lactose intolerant, so since they are unable to digest dairy products they have no nutritional value and should be avoided. If you have questions about your Grey's diet, consult an avian veterinarian before giving any food that you are unsure about.

Maintenance--African Greys are considered a dusty bird because they produce a fine white powder that goes airborne when they shake or ruffle their feathers. This will require bathing your bird more often, and cleaning the cage more often that a less dusty bird. Using an air purifier near the cage will greatly eliminate this dust that can carry potentially life threatening bacteria and viruses for your parrot.

About the Author

Don't let bird dust and dander clog your African Grey's air passages. Let the Bird Dust Air Purifier clear the air. See how it can work for you now at http://purerair.com/bird_dust_air_purifier.html

Managing Bird Dust - 5 Answers to Questions About Bird Dust and How to Manage It

2010-03-02T19:42:00.000+02:00

Bird Dust can be a huge problem if you share your home with a powder down bird. Left unchecked this dust can be a health hazard for both birds and humans. Here are 5 answers that will help you deal with this dust more effectively.

What is bird dust? It is a powder (generally white) that certain birds produce to keep their feather soft and their skin properly moisturized. Producing this dust is something your bird will do for as long as it is alive. In fact, even if you were able to stop it--which may seem like a great idea if you're knee deep in it-- the bird would suffer in numerous ways. So all you can do is to find ways to reduce the amount in the air and on surfaces in the bird room and around your home.

How is dander different? Dander is microscopic in size and cannot be seen with the human eye. Dander is a natural way of replenishing old skin with new skin that is better able to protect the bird and ward off disease and infection. Dander production is also a lifetime process. So a powder down bird produces this dust in addition to dander.

Do all birds produce bird dust? While all birds produce dander, the short answer is no, only some produce dust. Cockatiels, Cockatoos, and African Greys are notorious for producing this white powder.

Which birds produce it? The birds that produce it are generally known as powder down birds and include the African Grey (both the Congo and Timneh), Cockatoos, and Cockatiels-all members of the parrot family.

How can you reduce the amount of dust the bird spreads? Gently misting your bird with water using a spray bottle that you would use to soften wrinkles before ironing clothes is a very effective way to reduce the amount of dust that will go airborne. Always mist early enough in the day so that your bird is able to go through the night with dry feathers. They are less likely to become chilled as the temperature drops during the night.

How can you effectively reduce airborne dust? Since your bird's normal activities of flying from one place to another both inside and out of the cage, preening it feathers, and playing with its toys are sure to put dust in the air constantly, the best way to reduce the number of airborne particulates is to filter the air.

Even though most household heating and air conditioning systems have filters, they are often no match for the incredible amount of powder these birds can generate. Using a portable air filter with a HEPA (or high efficiency particle arresting) filter is the best plan of action.

In addition to the HEPA filter, an air cleaner that contains multiple pre-filters and a filter of military carbon cloth will give you and your bird daily relief from particle-filled air. Keeping the air clean makes you and your bird less susceptible to respiratory diseases.

About the Author

Remove bird dust from the air continuously and reliably with the air purifier at http://purerair.com/bird_dust_air_purifier.html

Where to Start When Looking to Purchase a Parrot

2010-02-11T12:45:00.000+02:00

Parrots have always held a special magic. With a humanistic personality- and eyes that can relate to you, the parrot has been admired in pet stores, story books, and in nature for centuries. Not only is the parrot beautiful with pastel and bright colors, they are intelligent, and they are one of the few animals in the animal kingdom that can talk- just another of their many wonderful qualities to admire.

If you have been considering purchasing a parrot it is necessary to purchase this bird that has had the proper introduction to life. Parrot breeders are the best place to begin. The parrot breeder is often a much better choice than a pet store, due to the fact that the parrot is receiving "specialized" parrot care with the surroundings and time spent just upon these birds instead of divided among many animals and the fact that a good parrot breeder will know much more about the birds needs and health requirements than the pet store often times.

Parrot breeders are the beginning introduction to the human in your future bird. Therefore, it is necessary to select a breeder that has the knowledge and has cared for your pet animals in the necessary manners. The parrot breeder should have provided an optimal diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and pellets, a sanitary and safe environment, weaning between 10 to 12 weeks, an introduction to bathing when the birds feathers begin to develop, time to fly free each day, plenty of interaction and handling and love and affection, and how to diagnose and treat illnesses. These will provide your bird with the attributes that will ensure a quality pet.

When searching for a breeder, you should begin looking for a breeder that is close to home. Parrot breeders will be someone that you will want to depend on in the future, for when concerns arise and when you need support and advice. You will also want to ensure that the bird breeder is will to provide you with, and sign, a purchase / contract agreement.

These are all factors that will help ensure that the breeder is reputable. Discuss with your breeder how future needs will arise and what role they are willing to play in support. When you think you have found the "perfect parrot" visit this bird randomly before you purchase and make sure that the parrot is as fond of you as you are of him this is extremely important the parrot can live to 60 years old, and a relationship that "fits" is extremely important for the both of you. Select a parrot that is good with you, and select a parrot breeder that you are not only comfortable with, but you know has met the qualifications and cared for your parrot properly. With the right ingredients you will enjoy a long well-balanced life together.

Cedric James is a parrot breeding expert. For more great parrot breeding tips, visit http://parrotguides.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cedric_James

Teach Your Parrot to Talk in 5 Simple Steps

2010-02-11T12:42:00.000+02:00

Owning a parrot can be a fun and enjoyable experience. Teaching a parrot to talk requires patience and 5 simple steps. Follow these steps and your parrot will be talking in know time:

Begin teaching at an early age. Parrots can begin to talk as early as 4 months. It is best to start with only one short phrase like, "Hello" or "I Love You", etc. Repetition is the key. Repeat the phrase several times throughout the day so the bird gets use to hearing it.
Keep the birds attention by holding her in front off your mouth. Say the phrase in a normal manner so that she will sound normal when repeating it.
Reward the bird with treats, praise and excitement when she mimics you. This encourages the bird to repeat the behavior often.
Try phrases and words that are based on your actions. If you sit down say "sit" and if you smile say "smile", etc. This allows your bird word association with certain common actions or movements.
Introduce your name, her name and family member names so that she becomes familiar with your family or friends. Hearing your name from a pet is fun for all.

Once your parrot has mastered several short phrases you can branch out to longer repetition by playing television, radio or music in her presence. She will probably come up with many saying on her own which will be enjoyable for your guests. Remember all parrots do not learn at the same pace so take your time if she does not pick up talking as fast as you expect. Parrots tend to live a ling time so develop a loving relationship between you two.

If you are interested in a parrot or other exotic animals for sale, please visit my website ExoticAnimalsForSale.org.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Cope

The Beauty and Brain of the African Grey Parrot

2010-02-11T12:37:00.000+02:00

The "Cadillac of Parrots" is definitely the African Grey Parrot, which it is referred to often among the parrot community. This beautiful parrot is adored for both its beauty and its brains. The African Grey not only has a mixture of beautiful colors they have a mixture of extensive words. Among the parrot family, the grey bird can learn the most extensive vocabulary. Aside from their extensive vocabulary, they are quite the entertainers, as they can learn to play toy instruments such as a baby piano and mimic sounds like the car motor, providing their owners much enjoyment.

The African Grey Parrot is intelligent, observant and focused. They can learn and teach themselves many things and are able to think in a cause-and-effect manner. Which, often times just as in a child, can result in a manipulation to the owner. It is important to train this parrot to ensure the happiness of the bird and that you are not faced with troublesome behavior. This bird has the strongest ability to bond with humans of birds in the bird kingdom.

Of the African Grey Parrot, there are two different families- the Congo African Grey and the Timneh African Grey, with the difference being their color. The Congo African Grey is distinguished through a lighter grey color with a red tail and the Timneh African Grey has a darker charcoal grey with a cherry-red tail. These parrots grow to 12 to 14 inches in size with a lifespan of up to 60 years of age. So, obviously, the African Grey Parrot is an addition to the home that will be among you for many years.

Because of their ever curious and intelligent personality, the gray bird needs the surroundings of an interesting and challenging environment. If you are unable to provide the parrot with a stimulating environment, you should not consider the parrot.

With such a highly intelligent nature comes the risk of stress and depression. This bird does run the risk of becoming stressed when all their needs are not provided. Signs that the birds are becoming stressed can be an eating disorder, picking at their feathers, attitude, or trouble behavior, such as chewing at cords.

This creature is a fast learner and requires attention and companionship. It is very easy to train this bird to perform tricks, and talk. Their vocabulary can actually become quite large, and they are capable of learning words on their own.

Although the bird does enjoy and need petting and affection, it is not a big admirer of overly endowment. This by no means ignores the bird, daily petting and affection is needed. Your home should provide this creature with much affection, compassion, enjoyment, training, and care. With proper care and love for the parrot, you should have a happy long companion in your pet.

About the Author

Brett Fort is an African parrot expert. For more great tips on the African parrot, visit http://parrotguides.com.

The Really Popular African Parrot, the African Grey Parrot.

2010-01-20T04:48:00.000+02:00

A great parrot to own. Ever wanted a parrot that is clever, a great friend who can live as long as you. I'd suggest the African Parrot. Specifically the African Grey Parrot.

Now...if you are considering breeding them it can be a little tricky. In the wild, African Greys choose a small area on a tree to breed; this means that you do not need provide them with a large and open space in order to breed them successfully. Although they do like a bit of privacy in order to breed, a nest box is your best bet.
Otherwise find a breeder who specializes. They can be your best source of information and guidance too.
African Greys can be great talkers, at the very least they are an incredible mimic, they can mimic sounds with amazing accuracy.

This is no ordinary pet. Parrots demand lots of attention. So, I'd suggest you spend some quality time feeding your bird and you will build a great relationship. they tend to bond strongly to only one human. And, unlike a cat or a dog, an African Grey parrot can live as long as humans do, and some even outlived their owners. In that sense, it is a great companion to have.

Considering that this bird is going to live with you for a very long time, it will need a big and sturdy cage for comfort, with doors opening on the front and at the top. You can source a suitable cage because pet shops carry a wide variety of cages for parrots. And with the internet so accessible to anyone, ordering a bird cage from a website is also a good option if there are no pet shops in your area.

Unlike other pet birds, this parrot needs lots and lots of stimulation. I mean they love to play. So, get them parrot toys to amuse themselves with whether you are home or not. Boredom can lead to behavior issues and ill health otherwise. Plastic rings are a great toy that you can hang from the top of the cage. They love to bite, climb and hang upside down on the rings.

Don't forget a good, healthy, balanced diet either. You should be able make this yourself with ingredients like seeds and nuts from the grocery store or supermarket. They love fruit and vegetables too. Healthy diet, lots of attention, toys to play with and you will have a healthy parrot.

About the Author

For more great tips on the african parrot visit http://www.myparrotcare.com/african-parrot/

African Grey training pitfalls to avoid - how to navigate the maze of African Grey training as painlessly as possible

2010-01-19T16:07:00.000+02:00

When people start making African Grey training efforts in earnest there are some common pitfalls and blind alleys they can easily end up going down and I'm writing this article in the hope of reaching people before they inadvertently turn a problem into a disaster!

Have you ever started training your bird to do some cool new trick then without any apparent reason after some initial progress things seem to start going backwards??? If so then don't panic, because you're not alone. In fact, it's quite common and there are a number of reasons it can happen.

Most often it's because the bird is BORED! You know from your own experience that sometimes you start out all enthusiastic and fired up to do something new then after a little while your motivation just seems to ebb away leaving you feeling kind of empty, well the same thing happens to African Grey parrots and the emotion they feel is just the same as you feel - BOREDOM!

The solution is of course to keep it interesting and keep the pressure low. How often when it's happened to you was it because you worked too hard? I'll bet even though you might not have wanted to admit it at the time because you were so stoked over this cool new thing you were doing that actually now, looking back, you can see with the benefit of hindsight that you pushed yourself too hard and tried to do too much all at once, which actually ended up with you getting less done.

Not only should you not try and do too much all at once, you also need to look at how you motivate yourself or your parrot. I'll bet you have no trouble doing stuff which you find FUN! Did you ever hear anyone complain that they had lost their motivation to have fun? I'll bet you didn't, ever. Here's the good news - once you learn how to make it BIG FUN your parrot will never get bored of training sessions again - provided that is that you don't try to achieve everything in one go - even fun things can get boring if you get obsessed with them and overdo it, so the combination of fun and variety is what makes for motivation that never fades or goes away.

This attitude and focus on fun and enjoying your time together is what forms the bedrock of a great African Grey training system, but it's only the beginning and the next thing to avoid is doing what may seem logical or sensible to you but is not relevant to your bird. Your see your parrot just doesn't care what you think - it won't respond to what you think will work unless you have the outrageous luck to guess just right.

Instead, to get really awesome results, you need to make use of the fact that others have been through the trial and error process and found the tips, tricks and secrets that REALLY work. The next most important thing to the right attitude and the right relationship with your parrot is a systematic approach to African Grey training which makes use of all the knowledge that's already been accumulated about how to train birds effectively - a much superior approach to the "reinvent the wheel" trial and error process a surprising number of people seem to rely on.

So to sum up, there is a pretty much guaranteed way to end up with parrot problems and it works every time - it's called the "do nothing" approach, or alternatively the "do anything" approach and they are basically identical - unless you set out with a goal in mind then systematically break down big mountains into little hills to climb you could find your efforts wasted, and I'd hate to see that as I know just how satisfying and rewarding your training efforts with your birds will be once you put a few simple rules and processes in place.

Above all remember that you and your parrot will have many happy years together if you set out on the right foot and that if you're already struggling it's never too late to change things for the better. I wish you all the best in your African Grey training efforts and I hope I've helped point out some of the places you could go wrong and how to set things right.

Tags : African Grey Training

About the Author

Here at africangreytraining.com we love all things African Grey. For more great training hints, tips and insider secrets visit www.africangreytraining.com

Breeding African Grey Parrots Making It A Success

2010-01-19T16:05:00.000+02:00

Many of us get attached to pet greys and consider breeding at a later date in time. This kind of bird is terribly friendly and interacts well with people. Do not rush the choice to reproduce this bird species, first ask if this task has been done by people you know, to understand exactly what is involved with this process. Breeding a bird is dissimilar and more involved than breeding a commoner pet like a cat or dog.

An african grey bird keeps an ongoing relationship with its mating partner ; , separation is a definite 'no no'. Leave the birds alone together. Not only are the owners to be committing they must also be determined and have the willpower to reproduce the parrot since this attainment is not acceptable for all folks. The birds need an enormous degree of attention and love from their carers and from people who breed them.

African Grey Parrots that already have a home that is not in natural settings are the easiest type to breed. Birds that are insulated from the wild are a neat place to start for green breeders. Some greys are very aggressive toward humans as well as their mate.

African grey parrots can be physically aggressive, particularly during the mating time. The first step for breeding macaws is to a find top quality male and female in good health for mating and breeding macaws. The best way is to see the bird for yourself and base the choice on your own standpoint.

Don't permit others to advocate birds to you especially if this is the first doing business with the person. The best choice is to purchase a pair of breeding african greys that have been shown to lay eggs and generate healthy chicks. Buying a pair that has already bonded is also a good selection because this could increase the success rate for breeding. Before breeding, the healthiness of the bird must be investigated. A non-healthy bird won't be able to provide healthy offspring. A vet visit is recommended.

A huge home and mating area is required because of the size of the african greys that you're going to be breeding. This permits the bird to chum as well as play to entertain itself. Having extra space will contribute to breeding triumph. The food given to macaws includes seeds, fruits, nuts and vegetables. Some breeders also feed the bird supplements to add extra nutriments to ensure health and reproduction. A good diet is vital to condition the greys body previous to breeding.

Keep in mind the breeding process may be dear. The method requires dedication and time for successful endeavor. When beginning the method for the 1st time choose a bird species that is comparatively easy to breed. Choose a type that has been easily and successfully bred during the past like the african grey parrot. Select fastidiously as there are lots of greys that are not advised for breeding thanks to the fact they don't breed well. Select birds that are in prison as they're changed to being handled by humans and are calm.

About the Author

Amanda Is A work From home mum of 3 cihildren, she has been breeding parrots for many years. For more information On Breeding African Grey Parrots Please Visit African Grey Parrots and African Grey Parrots

About The African Grey Parrot

2010-01-19T16:03:00.000+02:00

The African grey parrot scientifically known as Psittacus erithacus is originated in Central Africa. here are two types of African Greys - the larger Congo (has bright red tail feathers) and smaller Timneh (darker tail feathers). No one really knows when the grey african parrot was first found in Europe but it said that King Henry VIII had an African grey parrot as a pet.

The african grey parrot is a large bird that can grow to 12 to 14 inches in length. The Timneh subspecies is a little smaller. Their tails are quite short and they don't have very beautiful colored plumage. but all this is compensated by they intelligence.

I will try to talk a little about the african grey parrot behavior and training.

The Grey is a very social bird. In the wild, they depend on the flock for their safety and their emotional well-being. Because they depend on the flock so much, they read the emotion of their companion birds. This translates to their human companions as well. If an owner is upset or angry, the bird will feel it and react to the emotion.

African grey parrots really need much attention and interaction. Because of their dependence of the flock, if they stay alone they will get bored and depressed. If you don't spend enough time with an african grey parrot he will get the feather picking behavior or even become quite aggressive. So if you decide to buy an african grey parrot keep in mind that they are not lonely birds. African Grey parrots need a strong relationship with their owners. If you think that you are not able to make this commitment you should reconsider and buy another species of parrots.

But the most interesting aspect of the african grey parrot is that they are very intelligent. I have heard of a parrot called Alex that Alex, the African Grey trained by Dr. Irene Pepperberg, can perform tasks on the same level as a four year old child including distinguishing colors, shapes, and numbers of objects.

African grey parrots are also great talkers. They can learn a lager number of words and the most amazing thing is that they can use the words properly. If you think that we are talking about a bird's brain you have to agree that this are very good performances.

The training of your african grey parrot can be very fun because they learn very fast and they are very curious. If you want your bird to say a certain phrase, say it in different ways. Say it in a sing-song way, in a low voice, in a high voice, in a baby voice, or any other voice. Say the phrase looking directly at the bird so that he knows you want him to say it.

I advise you not to teach him dirty words. Don't make a joke from your pet. Also be careful to keep many toys around your african grey parrot so he will not get bored.

In conclusion, please don't buy an african grey parrot if you are not sure that you can meat all the parrot care demands.

About the Author

Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes articles about pet health and pet supplies.

Would You Make A Good "Parent" For An African Grey Parrot ?

2010-01-19T16:02:00.000+02:00

Are you thinking of adopting an African grey parrot as a pet? As with any choice of pet, there are advantages and disadvantages to the African Grey. It is important to realize that this is a bird with particular needs and preferences and you must not consider one unless you can meet his specific requirements.

The African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) originates in Central Africa and comes in two versions. The larger version, which can grow 12 to 14 inches long, is named the Congo and is very colorful with bright red tail feathers. Its sub-species, the slightly smaller Timneh, has shorter, darker tail feathers and its plumage is not so striking as its larger relative.

Although nobody is absolutely sure when the African Grey parrot first appeared in Europe, it has certainly been around for a long time, and it is reported that Henry VIII had one for a pet.

The African Grey parrot is no ordinary pet bird, which you can put in a cage, top up its food and virtually ignore. In their natural habitat, they depend on the rest of the flock not only for company, but also more importantly, for their security from predators. They are inordinately intelligent and can judge the emotions of those around them. This stems from a natural instinct in the wild to warn them against danger and it is probably not surprising that they tend to transfer this sensitivity onto the humans around them. This means that they are highly tuned in to negative emotions, which are likely to stress them considerably.

Another consideration is that since these birds are such social creatures, they are very likely to become depressed when they are left alone all day whilst you are at work. When bored, which leads to anxiety in the bird, they are inclined to pull out their feathers, and can become somewhat aggressive. If it is necessary to leave them alone, remember to give them plenty of toys to occupy them whilst you are gone.

Now onto the advantages of choosing the African Grey parrot. Extremely intelligent and great talkers, they learn new words and skills quickly and are always curious to know more. To get your parrot to learn a new word or phrase, you must look him directly in the eye and repeat the desired phrase many times, but using different pitches of voice. This will make him realise that you want him to learn the words you are repeating. Please do not teach him swear words as it's an insult to his intelligence to make fun of him.

To give an example of how intelligent these parrots are, there is one called Alex, an African Grey trained by Dr Irene Pepperberg, who is capable of distinguishing the colors, forms and quantities of objects at the same level as a four year old.

It is worth repeating here that an African Grey parrot needs a strong bond with his owner, and unless you are capable of giving an African Grey parrot all the parrot care it demands, please do not consider it as a pet.

About the Author

Pat has been writing articles for blogs and article directories for several years now and specializes in diet, fitness, finance, home decor, cooking and pet care. His most recent website discusses coffee tables with storage, including the lift up coffee table that will enhance your home decor and provide tons of extra storage.

How Long Does it Take to Train a Parrot to Talk? Train Your Parrot to Talk

2010-01-19T16:00:00.000+02:00

Every parrot owner who wishes to see their bird talking the next morning asks the same question: how long does it take to train a parrot to talk? This inquiry can be answered easily if you know the factors that affect the ability of a bird to mimic sounds or talk.

To get a parrot talking, it's highly preferable to buy young and hand-raised feathered specie ranging from three to six months. It's essential to keep in mind that older birds do not learn as effortless and as fast that the young ones since they have already predetermined sounds in their minds. If the bird you are planning to train is an adult already, you need to have a lot of staying power, patience, and persistence to get it talking. Although parrots are known as talking birds, the aptitude of your bird to imitate the spoken words of human hugely depends on the parrot species that you have, the attitude of your pet, the strategies and techniques you're going to utilize and how you particularly tame your pet. The training should start by taming your parrot and building its trust in you as his trainer before you can be successful in asking it to talk. You will notice if your pet is ready to be taught how to utter words if it's relaxed and confident in your presence.

One of the most efficient talking birds is known as the African Grey parrots. They are easy to teach and very proficient in their actions. The different types of parrots and their various tonal pronunciation and qualities are some of the factors to recognize how long does it take to train a parrot to talk.

As you broaden the vocabulary of your pet parrot as well as its tonal quality, it will grant you the companionship and joy you will never experience with non-talking birds. Note that parrots can retain information of more words and phrases because of their strong memory than other flying species. Begin the training session each morning prior to taking its cage cover off. It's vital that you reiterate a phrase or words several times like making it a ritual. Birds will contemplate more sounds in the dark and will attempt to act in response to what you say by repeating what it hears. Perform this process several times in a day, particularly right after you feed it or when you grant it a tidbit.

When your parrot gets accustomed to the sound that you use to make it responds, it will speak the same phrase to call your attention if you are not anywhere near it or when it needs attention or it is very hungry. Once you hear it, you should answer back with similar sound as an affirmation, but don't go near the cage. Knowing how long does it take to train a parrot to talk is highly influenced by your perseverance in teaching your pet. If you work during weekdays, you can use a recording to train your pet to mimic sounds and talk.

About the Author

Are you looking for easy to follow small chicken coop plans? Visit http://chickencoopplans4u.com for more information!

A Guide To Parrots

2010-01-19T15:57:00.000+02:00

Parrots are one of the most dazzlingly colored members in the bird kingdom. While some of the parrot species command awe due to their splendor and elegance, some of its species are small, cute and cuddly. Most parrot types are green in color and usually make great pets.

To be able to get the parrot type that suits your interest, you need to clearly understand the various types of parrots. Some parrot types are multi colored. Some of these types come in yellow green, bright blue or a mixture of two or more colors.

African grey parrot; this type of parrot have the potential to imitate and speak all manner of whistles and sounds. They usually create a strong bond to one person of the family. This type of parrot is notorious in feather plucking especially after getting bored, when experiencing dietary imbalances or as a result of emotional abuse. The species in this type are very different from each other in terms of plucking ability and even speaking. To distract screaming African grey parrot, take them for a walk around the house or allow them to fly to your finger.

Amazon parrots: there are about 22 species in this parrot type. They are mainly green and short winged. This type of parrot is very good in imitating sounds and talking. They are also very playful, social and energetic. They usually demand a lot of attention from its owners. They have a moody character at different times being playful, quiet, loud, cuddy or even silly and jealous. Since this type of parrots requires much attention it's not for just any pet owners. They require special diets that include fresh vegetables and fruits, water, parrot pellet mix and small amount of human food. Do not give this type of parrots alcohol, caffeine or avocado since they are toxic to it.

Another type of parrots is the Eclectus parrots which are basically glossy, brilliant birds. The male parrots are bright green with red and blue patches while the females are crimson with blue belly. This type of parrots is very intelligent and quickly trains themselves on the dos and don'ts. They able to repeat many words sing songs and imitate both human and other birds. This type of parrots requires an additional vitamin A in their diet and their diet should contain enough fiber since they have long digestive tract. Besides this they also need high quality pellets, variety of seeds and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Green parrot; this is a favorite type of parrot to most pet owners. Most pet owners' like this type of parrot due to its plumage color. Most species of green parrot require high quality proteins, lean chicken, cooked vegetables and selected high quality seeds. This type of parrot can be easily trained, is very intelligent, curious and affectionate.

Other parrot types include the Senegal parrot that is known for its entertaining capability and the Quaker parrot type that likes soothing and cooing tones and likes playing bonding games.

About the Author

Sam Joseph is a huge pet lover - and has kept pets such as birds, fish, cats, dogs, etc for years. A recent hobby has been to try and attract a wider range of garden birds to window bird feeders. You can read Sams advice at the site: http://www.windowbirdfeeders.org/

African Grey Parrot

2010-01-19T15:54:00.000+02:00

The African Grey Parrot is the most beautiful of the parrot species. Originally from central Africa they are well known for their high talkative cognitive ability and their extensive intelligence. These magnificent parrots are able to develop such a wide and extensive vocabulary that they seem so human to their owners because of their great communication skills.

Trying to be supportive, and a smidge curious, I leaned over the cage and said hello to this bird. He stared at me. My husband fed him and gave him water, and we left him alone to settle in to our home. I awoke the next morning to a flutter of wings and my husband's heavy footsteps in the hallway.

Owning such a parrot requires a long-term commitment since these birds can reach 60 years of age. Due to their great intelligence, African parrots will need an owner who has some experience and therefore will be better able to grasp their wants.

There are two main sub-species of the African Grey Parrot breed. Both sub-species make excellent pets, are considered a medium sized parrot (ranging 10-14 inches long), and live 60-80 years. When choosing a sub-species of the parrot, it really just comes down to personal preference. The first sub-species is the Timneh ("Tim-ney") parrot.

It is essential to be very sure that African parrots as pets are really wanted as they can live up to 60 years. This is very important to African parrots. New parrot owners would be better suited to a different kind of parrot than the African parrots because of the behavioral needs. Boredom comes easily to these parrots and they will possibly tear things up in their boredom.

The life span of these parrots can be around 60 to 70 years. Owning one means lot of commitment. If you are interested in buying one then you need to research about it and get detailed information before you actually buy one. This will be very beneficial to understand the needs of the bird and you can take better care of it.

African Grey parrots are very intelligent. It has been said that they have an intellect similar to that of dolphins and chimpanzees. African Grey parrots have the ability to mimic up to 2,000 different sounds. They can understand the use of many words they learn, and are known to be the best talking parrots.

These parrots are relatively quiet birds with an average lifespan of 50 to 65 years living on a diet of fruits, nuts and vegetables. It is a good idea to socialize the birds with humans on a regular basis as they tend to be quiet if left alone and thus would only bond with their owners only.

The first one is to understand the role of the wilderness in helping the parrots grow and wean. It is vital for the breeder to be able to catch an African Grey with the best qualities that will help it become independent and develop its intelligence by providing them ideal environment to thrive.

The African Grey parrot is among the most gorgeous and easiest of the parrot family to keep. They originate from Central Africa and are known to be highly intelligent and exceptional talkers. African Greys communicate extremely clearly with their owners and can usually develop a good vocabulary.

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