How to Keep Your Timneh Happy and Inquisitive
African Greys are well-known mimics and talkers, perfectly reproducing sounds from the home like the ring of the telephone or the sound 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 are able to recognize the person they are talking to.
Breeding
The African grey parrot is among the birds with the highest intelligence and also one of the most talkative. They can be taught tricks and other skills as well. They are a expressive and social bird with distinct personalities that possess strong emotional and empathy reactions. In the end, they tend to form strong bonds with one person and be demanding of their attention. They can be destructive and they can bite, pounce or inflict self-mutilation.
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 members of the family, but often become attached to one member. These are not cuddly creatures. They are prone feather plucking, and can bite or injure family members who do not spend time with them.
It is best to place the cage in a bright, draft-free area. A large playpen is also a good idea, as this allows the bird to spread its wings out when it feels the need to. The cage should be equipped with toys like swings for parrots, chains, bells, climbing ropes, and destructible bird toys. The timneh african gray can be taught to play with these toys to exercise and enhance its mental capabilities.
They are extremely talkative and pick up on words and sounds very quickly. They can even accurately mimic human voices and in certain cases, recognize the person they are speaking to. They have been recognized to "blow the whistle" on spouses who cheat, by repeatedly calling out their names and using the spouse's voice.
In their natural habitat, these birds graze on the tops of trees in search of seeds, nuts, fruit and vegetables. In captivity, their diet should consist of a mixture high-quality parrot seeds, sprouts, and vegetables, as well as grains, nuts and commercially prepared food for parrots. Seeds should not constitute an important portion of the diet, as they are high in fat and do not contain many of the minerals and vitamins required for a healthy parrot.
Care
African grey parrots have an instinctual curiosity and intelligence. They require regular stimulation of their minds, environmental enrichment and medical attention to flourish. They can be easily stressed by the introduction of new people or foods and may display behavioral problems such as feather plucking and self-mutilation. Identifying the underlying cause of these behaviors is essential to addressing them successfully.
Both Timneh and Congo african grey parrots can talk however the latter typically starts talking about 6 months old. The gender of the bird does not seem to play a role in the capacity of either species to speak, however it is essential that the process begin at a young age. Both African greys are adept at mimicking sounds of everyday life, such as knocks on doors, and the phantom phone ring.
The cage for these parrots must be large enough to allow ample movement and wingspan and is constructed of durable materials that can withstand chewing. It must have perches of different thicknesses for the feet as well as toys they can chew and preen, as well as destroy. Toys that encourage them to utilize their brains are especially beneficial and should be rotated regularly. This will keep your pet physically and mentally engaged, preventing boredom that can lead to behavioural issues.
To ensure that the Timneh African gray has a healthy diet, it's important to provide a variety of foods that include seeds, sprouts and fruits as well as nuts, vegetables, and commercial pellets. To fight calcium deficiency these birds can be given cuttlefish or a calcium block. You can also feed them leafy greens which are high in vitamins and minerals.
Like all parrots a Timneh African grey requires plenty of interaction with human. They can be withdrawn when they don't get the attention they require. This can lead to unhealthy behavior like screaming, biting, and plucking feathers. The issue of jealousy can also be an issue and is the reason it is essential that these birds are socialized from a young age.
Feeding
African greys are one of the most routinely oriented and keenly observant parrot species. Any slight change in their environment can cause them to react negatively. This is why it's important to spend time desensitizing them to new objects and situations so that they can be able to enjoy the excitement of new things without unnecessary stress. They are emotional and empathetic creatures with distinct personalities that require attention from their owners.
Like their cousins the Congo African Greys, Timneh African grey parrots can be excellent talkers and mimickers. They can imitate sounds that are commonplace, such as the ringing of a phone or the sound of microwaves, with astonishing accuracy. They are also extremely adept in imitating human voices and can be so precise that they are able to be recognized.
In the wild, this species is found in diverse habitats ranging from open forests to dense savannahs. The climate is generally sunny and warm, however it can be cool in the winter. They live for 40 to 50 years in captivity.
Both the Timneh african gray parrot as well as the Congo are social birds that require a lot of interaction from their owners. If they become bored or unappreciated, they'll vent their frustration through screeching. They can also develop behavioral problems such as feather plucking or self-mutilation for many physical and psychological reasons. To prevent these problems, give them plenty stimulation for their minds by giving them chewing toys and puzzles.
They are a lot of fun and a large cage that lets them move around will provide them with the space they require. The cage should be placed in a tranquil area of the home away from drafts and noise. It is recommended to place the cage away from windows and air conditioning vents as they can be prone to overheating.
A supply of fresh clean water should be available throughout the day, and food and water dishes must be cleaned regularly. A healthy diet should consist of seeds, fruits, vegetables, commercial pellets and nuts. They should be fed twice per day and provided with plenty of other healthy food items between feeds.
Health
African Greys are among the most intelligent parrots. They are renowned for their ability to mimic human speech. Gizmo newborn african grey parrot can also communicate a variety of things that you think they've never learned. These intelligent birds can be excellent companions, but they have to be stimulated by numerous activities to avoid boredom which could cause feather plucking or other bad behaviors. Having lots of non-destructible bird-safe toys to play with will keep your Timneh happy and entertained.
The birds have the same brain as a toddler and enjoy being challenged like you. The boredom of these birds can cause them to behave in a bizarre manner, such as screaming, biting or even plucking their feathers. It is essential to ensure that they have plenty of toys that are not destructible to play with, and to give them time to explore the outside of their cage.
It's important to monitor your African Grey for signs of stress. This could be something as simple as changing their diet or a change in furniture, or it could be more serious, such as if they have seizures or are losing weight. Examine any changes in their behavior such as becoming more aggressive or refusing to engage in social interactions. These signs can help you spot potential health issues early and provide the needed treatment.
It is crucial to check their calcium levels at every vet visit. The addition of more leafy greens to their diet may help. These include kale and mustard greens, Swiss chard and spinach. This will help to ensure that their nutritional requirements are met and ensure that they remain healthy. They also need fresh, clean water every day. It's best to have it on hand at multiple places and also to wash their food and water dishes every day.