| The African Grey parrot is the most popular | | | | cage size for African Greys is 18 inches long |
| pet parrot kept today. They are extraordinary | | | | by 18 inches wide by 30 inches tall. Try to |
| speakers and are also very lovable and sweet. | | | | get the largest cage you can. Place the cage |
| However, they do require lots of love, | | | | in a well lit area that is free from any |
| patience and time. Make sure they are the | | | | drafts. You will need to get plenty of toys |
| right bird for you.The African Grey parrot | | | | for your bird so they can get the mental |
| originates from Central Africa. It is medium | | | | stimulation they need.A good diet is very |
| grey in color and the feathers on the head | | | | important for any bird. Seeds should not be |
| have white edging. It also has a bright red | | | | the only thing you feed. African Greys need a |
| tail and a solid black beak.One of the things | | | | good pellet diet as well as fresh fruits and |
| African Greys are most well known for is how | | | | vegetables. Some fruits and vegetables that |
| well they speak. Their speech is very clear | | | | are good for them include broccoli, green |
| and easy to understand. They can even learn | | | | peas, black eyes peas, brussel sprouts, |
| over 2000 words and can mimic any sound! | | | | banana and cantaloupe.A major problem that |
| However, don't buy an African Grey just for | | | | many African Greys develop is feather |
| this reason. Some of them never speak at | | | | plucking. This is actually a form of self |
| all.African Greys are extremely intelligent. | | | | mutilation. It can be caused by many things |
| It is said that they have the intellectual | | | | such as medical problems, behavioral |
| capacity of a five year old child and are | | | | problems, or stress. If you see your bird |
| probably the most intelligent of the parrot | | | | doing this, take him to the vet as soon as |
| species. Some have even been known to | | | | possible before it becomes really bad.The |
| understand concepts like color and shape. | | | | hardest thing about keeping African Greys is |
| This also makes them very demanding pets. | | | | the amount of time you must spend with them. |
| They require constant attention and many toys | | | | Once your bird bonds with you, it will not |
| to keep them busy.African Greys form very | | | | want to be without you. Your bird will demand |
| strong bonds with their owners and can even | | | | attention from you all the time. If this bird |
| respond to our different emotions. When you | | | | doesn't get enough attention or mental |
| are sad, a bonded African Grey will comfort | | | | stimulation, it will likely form behavioral |
| you. They learn so much from their owners! | | | | problems. Make sure you aren't going to be |
| Once you win the trust of an African Grey, | | | | too busy to spend time with this bird before |
| they will be your best friend. They are not | | | | you purchase one. This bird is not right for |
| very outgoing with strangers though. They are | | | | everyone. |
| very loyal and dedicated birds.The minimum | | | | |