How To Train Your African Grey Parrot
The African Grey Parrot is one of the most highly intelligent and delightful breeds of bird to own as a pet. Because of their unique and amazing ability to learn hundreds of words and mimic their owners, purchasing African Grey Parrots as pets are growing in popularity. With the proper understanding, care, and love, pet owners can find companionship and lifelong friendship in this brilliant breed.
The African Grey Parrot comes in mainly 2 subspecies. The main difference between the Congo and Timneh subspecies is their size and color. Normally both the Congo and Timneh African Grey parrots are considered to be medium in size. The Timneh Gray Parrot is known to be smaller in size, but fuller in feather thickness. Their body feather color ranges from medium to an almost dark charcoal gray, and their tail feathers are usually dark maroon red. The Congo Grey Parrot is usually larger in length and heavier in weight, but with thinner feathers. Lighter gray feathers and a bright red tail, further differentiate the Congo from the Timneh. And the final main difference between the two subspecies is the color of their beak, also known as the mandible. The top of the Timneh Gray Parrot’s mandible is a bone or cream color, while the Congo Gray Parrot’s mandible is almost all black.
When considering the purchase of an African Grey Parrot as a pet, it is important to be aware of its background. Knowing whether it comes from the wild or comes from a breeder is essential. The African Grey Parrot will be easier to train and handle if purchased from a reputable breeder that has integrated hand feeding or hand rearing. Hand rearing is the feeding the baby African Grey Parrot from birth to 10-12 weeks of age while handling them. This will ensure that the African Grey bonds with their human owners and are completely tame. This will give the parrot an easy start to mimic and speech training.
It’s also important to note the necessity of keeping the African Grey Parrot in a cage when not training or handling them. Routine is necessary for the health, well-being, and safety of your African Grey Parrot. Because of their high intelligence, African Grey Parrots are a curious and sensitive bird. They will easily pick up bad habits if not kept to a stimulating and regimented routine. Handling, cuddling, and training them on a regular basis and then putting them their cage when not being handled, ensures that your African Grey companion will be happy and safe. Watch closely for signs of unhappiness, such as feather picking, biting, or chewing. Noting these changes in this sensitive parrot’s behavior will create awareness to the needs of adjusting their routine.
African Grey parrots are full of personality and human like qualities. Those who are lucky enough to own one are able to see intelligence not equaled in many other animals.