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Newly Imported Birds and Food Habits
Imported parrots are the most loved parrots but also the banned ones. African Grey Parrots, Senegal Parrots, Timneh Grey Parrots, and many other African species are imported by the countries all over the world in great numbers. Know about the newly imported birds and their food habits here.
African Grey Parrot
The African Grey Parrot is a medium-sized parrot, native to Africa. It is predominantly grey in color with accents of white. Some African Grey parrots have dark grey feathers and some others are lighter grey. They have red or maroon tails.
African grey parrots are very intelligent birds and are recognized for their ability to speak. They can easily learn considerable words and can even talk in different voices and even languages. They can identify objects, colors, objects and can even count.
African grey parrots mainly feed on nuts and fruits, added by leafy matter. They need about 3 to 4 teaspoons of a pellet or seed-based per day. You should also give them fortified parrot diet. Give them a balanced diet full of hookbill seed, medium pellets, fruits, palm nuts, corn, sprouts, fresh vegetables and grains. About 5 to 10 per cent of an African grey parrot’s diet should comprise of bite size fruits and vegetables such as, apples, broccoli, oranges, melon, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, spinach and shredded carrots. This food should be given to them daily or each 2 or 3 days.
You can give your African grey parrot a supplement of vitamin and mineral, mixed with fruits and veggies once in a week. Give them access to clean and fresh water in a bowl. Water should be distilled and not tap water. Do not give the same diet daily but a varied one to keep your bird interested in food and also to avoid its food phobia. Birds need a little more calcium in comparison to other parrot species, but there must not be too much calcium.
Senegal Parrot
Senegal Parrot is a new bird which is bred in captivity. They can live up to 40 or 50 years if given safe and clean home to live. They are vigorously active, amusing and sweet. They are not as good talkers as some parrot species are and are able to speak in a limited fashion. They can learn to mimic sounds, may be whistling, kisses, microwave beeps and smoke alarms. They are known for being jealous of other family members and pets. They tend to develop bond with one person and surprisingly refuse to interact with other people and may even attack them in rare cases.
Feed your Senegal about 2 to 3 teaspoons of a pellet or seed based fortified small parrot diet per day. About 5 to 10% of diet of Senegal should consist of bite size fruits and veggies such as, apples, bananas, broccoli, grapes, oranges, sweet potatoes, spinach, dandelion, mustard greens and shredded carrots either daily or in 2 or 3 days. You should give your bird a cuttle bone or a mineral block. The Senegal bird should always have access to clean and fresh water. Do not use tap water but distilled water.