Maya loves to explore our home and play on the floor. She usually initiates this by flying off of her perch and landing on the floor. Or sometimes when we take her out of her cage she starts flapping her wings – which have been clipped – really really fast. Then she usually lands on the floor. She loves walking around or sliding around (we have hardwood floors). This is a good time to have the whole family involved with playing with her. We do make sure that there are no dangers nearby and then we just follow her along and she what she wants to explore. She will try to nibble on chairs and low hanging curtains – but we are right there and no damage is done. Her explorations up to this point have been more of “look and see” what is around this new home of hers. Although, she is not quite into playing “catch” with us yet. We tried to roll a small plastic ball in her direction to see if this would seem like fun – but she seems afraid of it and just jumps over it or runs out of the way.

Does Your Pet Call You By Name?
By Carla Hinsey

Have you ever heard of the African Grey Parrot? African Grey Parrots are becoming one of the all time favorites of bird lovers. These strikingly beautiful birds, who can out talk any four year old child, have charmed their way into many a household across the globe.

The African Grey is truly one of Gods’ special creatures. The Grey’s have the ability to express themselves in human language and emotion. Whatever language you speak, they can learn and actually communicate with you.

Skeptics argue that parrots can only mimic back what they have heard believing that even the most highly trained parrot doesn’t really understand what it is doing or saying. It’s possible that may be true for some species of parrots, but if you live with an African Grey you know deep in your heart that this argument is not a true at all. The African Grey, being a highly intelligent, deeply emotional, and hysterically witty bird would challenge even the hard-line skeptic.

Living with an African Grey takes a great commitment. They have a life span much like a human. If you are going to adopt a Grey into your life, you have to commit to it. As with any intelligent and emotional life form, you have to be prepared to except the ups and the downs that go along with it. We have both a male and a female living in our home.

There are times when it is a huge challenge. They can be demanding and insistent. If they don’t get what they want, they can be total brats. Their ear-piercing screams and demanding behavior will surly test even the most patient of persons. This is the most negative of their traits. Their positive traits far out weight their negative ones. On their positive side, I can’t say enough about them. The Grey knows when you are sad or upset. They will do everything in their power to make you laugh or change your mood. From their class clown antics to all their hugs and kisses, they will completely wash away a bad day.

The African Grey is best known for their talking and reasoning ability. Some are better talkers than others. Some can imitate sounds so real you can’t tell the difference between the actual sound and the bird.

My female is the sound maker. She can talk, but not as well as the male. She is a sweet and loving bird. Her sounds are amazing. I can’t tell you how many times I have answered a phone that never rang or opened a door when a doorbell never chimed. I have heard my dog bark when she was soundly asleep in her bed. I’ve heard doors squeak open that were shut, a microwave oven peep that was never turned on, a police siren and a trash truck backup peeper that was never there. These are only a few examples from a long list.

My male is the talker. So far his vocabulary is around one hundred words. He makes up his own sentences from the words he knows. Studies have shown, that Greys can develop a fifteen hundred to three thousand word vocabulary. When the male can’t see me but can hear me, he calls out my name and asks, “Carla, You alright?” I answer, “I’m alright,” he says, “Ok.” Sometimes, when he starts screaming his head off and the female screams back, he tells her, “That’s too loud, stop being a brat.” He tells me, “Gonna go night night,” when he wants to take a nap. He tells me, “I’m hungry,” when he wants something to eat, then tells me what he wants to eat. He makes up things I can’t understand and laughs hysterically.

My birds have not been officially trained. Everything they do and say is a direct result of living in the same household with my family. They are members of our family, and as with any other family member they need love and understanding. They need quality time inside the family circle, but also some quiet time to themselves. Do not stick them in a room away from the family hub. It will make them feel isolated and lonely. You will be setting the stage for an unhappy bird. Greys are very sensitive and you can easily upset their emotional well being. This can result in behavioral problems in the future.

Greys are full of life and love to play. If you have to be away from home during the day, make sure you supply them with plenty of toys. In the wild they forage for food about eighty percent of their time. Greys get bored easily, so try to keep a verity of toys around so that they can occupy their time alone. Interchange their toys regularly.

In closing, I highly recommend African Grey Parrots as pets. The only thing I would ask of you before going out and bringing one home, is to do some research on their needs. Make sure you have a full understanding of their housing and diet needs. You also need to make sure your house is bird safe. With all of this in mind, if you can provide for their most basic needs, the African Grey Parrot will reward you with a life time of devotion, affection, and love.

For Other Articles Written By Carla, Visit CarlaHinsey.com Save Up To 90% Off Retail On Pet Supplies and 1000s of Brand Name Household Products at http://trader-bobs.com

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Rub a Dub-Dub, a Parrot in the Tub
By Robin Bateman

Ask any bird owner and he will tell you, “Yep, birds are messy.”

So just how do you keep your new pet parrot clean? And what about his cage, toys, food…are there any special instruction here?

The Bird – To keep feather dust to a minimum, and promote vibrant colors, shower your parrot weekly. Most species love water and will sing, flap their wings and even “dance” when showered. You can purchase a shower perch for let your parrot walk around on the bottom of the shower floor or tub.

You don’t have to buy special soap for your bird. Use plain tap water. Be sure the temperature is warm. It’s a good idea to test the water’s temp by letting the water run on the underside of your forearm, much like you would for a baby’s formula.

Some bird owners mist their parrots with water from a spray bottle (similar to the ones used for misting house plants). A few varieties of birds dislike misting, so proceed with caution. If your pet shows signs of apprehension, it’s a good idea to avoid the misting process altogether.

The Food Dishes – Wash in hot soapy water, or run through the dishwasher everyday. Consider buying two sets of food and water dishes; while one set is placed in your birds’ cage (with fresh contents) the other set is in the dishwasher.

The Cage – A rule of thumb here is; the larger the bird, plus, the more time the bird spends in the gage equals the more frequently you should perform a thorough cleaning on the cage. i.e. more than a “wipe down”. Cage liners are wonderful! It’s easy to roll up your bird’s mess in one thin liner than it is to empty the pan, or pull up newspaper. Change liners daily, or every few days, depending on how messy your bird is. A quick wipe over with a warm wet cloth helps alleviate the difficulty of the thorough cleaning.

Before you thorough clean, remove the bird from his cage and place on a perch away from his cage area. Use a bird safe disinfectant. Sometimes a scrub brush and/or sandpaper can help remove tough dried particles.

The Toys – Soak toys in mild soapy warm – hot water. rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before returning to cage. Cleanse toys every few weeks to remove germs and feather dust.

The Yard aka area around the cage – This area is often plagued with feathers, feather particles and feather dust as well as seeds and other food items your bird drops. Vacuum daily. A cage with a seed catcher helps somewhat and is worth purchasing.

Also, consider purchasing an air purifier one with a HEPA filter.

Whenever possible, use cleaning time as play time, too. Talk and socialize with your pet while you change his bird liners, or shower him. the more contact you have with your parrot, the better caregiver you’ll be. You’ll also be able to recognize signs of stress and illness quicker.

Keeping your bird clean, healthy and happy requires daily maintenance, but is well worth it.

Robin Bateman is an author and Moderator on http://www.Writing.Com which is a site for Writers. She is also a contributing editor for Racquet Sports Industry Magazine, resource for those in the tennis industry employees.

Bateman began her parrot-owning journey in 1999 and now owns six parrots.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com which is a site for Pets.

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Parrots – Why Every Parrot Owner Needs Be a Member of an Online Message Board
By Kelli L

Are you a parrot enthusiast? Do you currently own parrots or plan on getting some in the near future? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to get involved online! There are a couple websites full of useful information for parrot owners. Bird Board is one of many that features that are beneficial and useful to both current parrot owners and individuals who are planning on purchasing or adopting a parrot in the future.

Membership to these message boards are completely free, so there is no risk for you to join. With just a short registration process, you will quickly be on your way to interacting with thousands of other parrot owners from around the world. As a matter of fact, Some are available to users in a variety of languages! At a Bird Board you will also have access to a fountain of information that can be helpful in the everyday care of your beloved parrot.

Bird board includes areas for general discussion on birds, do it yourself projects for birds and instructions for making your own homemade bird toys and bird treats. There is information in the forums on the health, nutrition and safety of your birds as well as training techniques that other parrot owners have been successful with. If you are looking to purchase or adopt a parrot, there is a classified section available, as well as information on various bird clubs and bird shows from around the world. Any bit of information you could possibly be looking for, can be found in the many forums on various message boards.

Most have a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions section, that lists the most frequently asked issues parrot owners come across. There are news articles available for the latest news on parrots and parrot issues, as well as general articles that cover everything from the care of your bird to how to build your own bird toys. With your free membership to a BirdBoard, you will have access to member maps so that you can find other members that are in your area as well as, photo and video albums that show other members with their pet parrots. You can also find species specific boards, with discussions and information on the specific breed parrot that you own.

Navigating the these website is easy, so you will have no problem finding the information you are looking for. In fact, there is so much useful and interesting information on a bird board, I’d wager that before you know it, hours will have passed with you browsing the site and you’ll wonder where the time has gone! If you love your parrot and want to learn all you can about your feathered friend, becoming a member of a bird board is absolutely essential. Even if you have owned parrots for years, it is still in your best interest to join. Not only may you learn something new, but you will be able to interact with other parrot lovers from all around the world. After all, no one can understand a parrot lover like another parrot lover can!

If you read this article and found it helpful, consider stopping by my website http://www.BirdToys.com

You can also find me and over 17,500+ other parrot owners at http://www.BirdBoard.com where you can ask questions and get immediate feedback.

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Parrot Owners – Materials Commonly Used in Bird Toys
By Kelli L

WOOD

Birds need to chew, wood is an excellent material to satisfy this natural urge. Birds play most often with wood toys. Wooden toys are meant to be destroyed. Some bird owners may be frustrated by the destructive nature of their parrots. However, chewing is a natural instinct and vital to birds mental and physical well-being. If you provide only acrylic toys they will often find other, more expensive ways to satisfy their chewing needs (i.e., molding, furniture). It is important to know what woods are safe for your bird. Both soft and hardwoods are commonly used in toys.

Safe Woods (not a complete list):

Pine, Balsa, Birch, Basswood, Poplar, Maple, Walnut, Ash, Apple, Elm, Cactus (Cholla) and Manzanita

Unsafe Woods (not a complete list):

Cedar, Red Cherry, Plywood. Oak

If you like to make your own toys NEVER use pressure treated wood, it is treated with arsenic and will poison your bird. If using natural branches make sure they have not been exposed to insecticides. Also, take care to collect branches in areas removed from highways where plant life may have absorbed toxic emissions from cars. Scrub all branches with a non-toxic disinfectant (dilute chlorine bleach), rinse and dry thoroughly.

If you need to clean wood toys, don’t soak them. It is best to wipe them clean with a damp cloth or sand the soiled area until clean. If your bird likes to dunk his toys beware that moisture can promote bacterial growth and the toys should either be discarded or thoroughly cleaned and dried in a low temperature oven before returning them to the bird.

Birds are able to distinguish colors therefore color makes wood toys more attractive and interesting to birds. Manufacturers usually color wood with food coloring or vegetable dyes. We don’t believe in flavoring wood as the bird should not be encouraged to ingest the wood and, unless properly controlled, the fruit sugars often used provide a perfect medium for bacterial growth. Do not buy toys that have been stained or varnished to add color. If you are interested in a toy with painted parts (ie, ABC blocks) make sure that only non-toxic, child safe paints were used.

ROPE

Several kinds of rope are used in bird toys. Only 100% natural fiber ropes such as cotton, hemp (jute), or sisal should be used in bird toys. Nylon blend ropes should never be used as they can result in serious injury and cuts due to the strength of the strands if the birds get caught in it. Ropes can be safe as long as they are maintained properly and the bird’s beak and nails are kept trim. There have been safety problems noted when excessive fraying occurs. Birds have choked and lost circulation to legs by getting tangled in ill maintained ropes. Rope toys have proven very beneficial in solving feather picking problems and therefore we don’t like to discount rope as a viable material. Bird owners have a responsibility to check their bird’s rope toys daily and to cut back or discard rope toys when they become frayed and present a hazard to their bird.

CHAIN

Chain should have welded not open links. Un-welded chain provides sharp surfaces and narrow openings which have been known to cut toes. Make sure the links are a safe size for your bird, if toes get caught in the links the result can be broken toes or legs. Chain length is also a consideration as a long length of chain could conceivably end up wrapped around a bird’s neck during a vigorous play session. As the wood components are chewed off, a chain hazard could develop. Owners must monitor the status of toys and ensure that as they physically change safety hazards do not develop.

FASTENERS

This is a crucial area of concern as good fasteners are expensive and therefore many manufacturers cut corners and use potentially unsafe items such as split key rings or dog leash type snap hooks. Birds have been cut and lost circulation to toes and tongues on toys utilizing split rings and spring type clamps. For conures or larger birds we recommend either Quick-links (also sometimes called C-clamps) or Pear links to attach toys to the bird’s play area. They come in a variety of sizes and can be tightened with a wrench easily to prevent the bird from unhooking his toys. This type of fastener provides the least potential for injury. They are available in a variety of sizes and can be purchased from your local hardware store if needed to replace unsafe fasteners from existing toys.

Do not use split key rings, spring loaded clips or metal shower rings to fasten your toys. Small hardware pieces can be ingested accidentally. Birds have cut toes and tongues on split rings and spring type clamps.

ZINC

A lot has been mentioned recently about zinc toxicity in birds. Many bird toys are made with zinc coated (galvanized) metal components. Zinc is also commonly found in cage powder coatings. Some avian health specialists have stated that in order for zinc related health problems to result that the parrot must actually swallow the metal components and that “beaking” the parts is insufficient for toxicity to develop unless the galvanized coating is extremely brittle and flaky. If a bird spends a lot of time chewing on toy hardware (i.e., washers, quick links, wire) then it is possible they will ingest enough zinc to build up toxic levels in their systems over time. Owners who are worried about the possible health effects can often find stainless steel replacement components at their local hardware store. This option is also often much more cost effective to the consumer than buying toys constructed with stainless steel parts.

PLASTICS

Acrylics are used in many toys today and if sized properly to the bird are virtually indestructible. If purchasing acrylic toys we recommend the acrylic have a minimum thickness of 3/16?. Recently, there has been a shift back towards wood toys because although the acrylics are durable and attractive they are also not as fun for the bird who likes to chew. We recommend that a few of your birds toys be acrylic or a blend of acrylic and wood, they will be long lasting and the bright colors used are stimulating to your bird.

When considering toys with plastic components a bird owner must consider the nature of the plastic component (i.e., soft vs. brittle) relative to the size of the bird. Brittle plastics should not be given to larger birds because when they break very sharp, cutting edges are formed and if swallowed accidentally could result in ruptured organs. Hard plastic toys specifically designed for parakeets and cockatiels should not be given to larger birds with the beak power to destroy them.

LEATHER

Leather is a great material for birds to safely play with and chew on. Most birds especially like to spend hours untying knots made in leather strips.

Only vegetable tanned leather should be used on bird toys. Do not buy toys with dyed leather or leather tanned with chemicals as most are toxic to birds (i.e., chromium, formaldehyde). For this reason you should also not retire old shoes, belts and pocketbooks to your birds toy chest.

Replace leather if soiled or wet. Bacteria will flourish under these conditions. Many toy companies will sell replacement leather strips.

When hanging toys strung on leather (or rope or chain), avoid leaving a long strand between the toy and the cage. Some birds when rambunctious with their toys can get the leather wrapped around their necks and strangle. It is best to tie the toy close to the bars of the cage.

RINGS

When choosing toys with rings or large plastic chain links make sure that the rings are of a size that the bird can’t get his head stuck in them and choke. Also beware of toys with multiple rings looped directly together as birds have met similar fates when they have been trapped between the rings.

BELLS

Birds love to make noise and bells provide a fun source for their merrymaking. If a bird is mechanically inclined and can remove the clapper the potential exists for swallowing/choking. Make sure the bell clapper can not be removed by the bird. If it is not securely fastened either remove it or weld it (we recommend silver solder). Make sure the clapper is not lead (toxic), if it is lead you will be able to dent the clapper with your fingernail. Do not buys toys that use jingle type bells, toes can become caught and cut in the wide to narrow openings, we recommend the cow or liberty bell design. Appropriately size the bell to the bird so it will be able to withstand the power of the beak.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

Just because the label says the product is safe doesn’t mean that it’s OK for your bird. Any toy has the potential to be unsafe if improperly sized to the bird. Ask your toy vendor or bird store owner for help or advice on choosing a toy appropriate for your bird.

As with kids, no toy is 100% safe for all birds. Use common sense and supervise your bird when you first give him a new toy. Observe how he interacts with the toy to determine how best to hang it and where and when to allow him to play with it (some toys are safer outside the cage).

Provide a wide variety of toys and rotate them in and out of the cage or play area. Variety will help alleviate boredom and keep your bird more alert and curious. Keep 2-3 toys minimum in the birds cage and don’t overstuff the cage so the bird doesn’t have room to move.

Don’t assume that if your bird doesn’t like a toy that it won’t play with any toy. Try something different and take the time to observe what your bird finds interesting in terms of design, texture or size.

Introduce toys to baby birds but make them small…don’t intimidate them. Hand toys are some of the safest toys available and they are especially great for young birds as they help to develop hand-eye coordination.

Play with your bird…most birds think it’s great fun to chase balls across the floor or couch, play “catch” or “pick it up” with mom or dad.

This guide is by no means comprehensive but we have tried to address as many issues as possible. When in doubt, ask for help. We sincerely wish you a long, happy and healthy relationship with your bird.

If you read this article and found it helpful, consider stopping by my website http://www.BirdToys.com

You can also find me and over 17,500+ other parrot owners at http://www.BirdBoard.com where you can ask questions and get immediate feedback.

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Bird Toys – The Varieties of Bird Toys and What They Offer Your Parrot
By Kelli L

If you have a pet bird or are considering getting one, bird toys are an absolute necessity. A bird requires toys for entertainment and stimulation. Even if you often interact with your bird, you will need bird toys in the cage for your bird.

There are many different types of bird toys available for you to buy. There are toys that are meant for mental stimulation for your bird, toys that are designed specifically for destruction and toys that allow your birds to preen the toy, rather than over preening themselves. You should have all types of bird toys available for your bird and should rotate them frequently in the cage.

Bird toys are made from many different materials for your bird to enjoy. Toys that are made from paper and natural materials like woods and natural fibers are good choices for your bird, because it gives them something to chew on. Birds enjoy chewing and breaking things apart. It is not only entertaining to them, but it also helps promote healthy beak structure. Other safe materials for them to chew on and destroy are rawhide and leather, or toys made from food substances.

There are many toys that are also made from non-natural materials. Plastic, fiberglass and metals are common choices of materials in bird toys. They are used often in toys that are for mental stimulation. These toys give the birds the mental stimulation they need to prevent boredom from occurring, which can cause severe issues like feather plucking. Birds must have adequate amounts of mental stimulation and these toys should be rotated frequently to prevent the birds from getting bored with them.

Preening toys offer the birds clean, hygienic feathers or materials for the birds to preen. When birds become to bored, they can start preening themselves too often which can lead to feather conditions. When you offer them toys that will allow them to spend time preening, you can help to prevent these conditions from occurring.

When you choose bird toys, you need to choose ones that are the proper size for your birds. Toys that are small, such as toys for parakeets, cockateils and other small parrots, should not be given to large birds like Macaws or African Greys. Giving a large bird toys that are too small can pose choking hazards. Make sure that when you buy your bird toys, you ensure they are the correct size for the bird that you own.

There are so many bird toys for you to choose from, you will certainly have a hard time deciding which ones to buy! You’ll be amazed how many types of birds toys there are for different species of birds. When you shop for bird toys, you should choose toys in a variety of materials for your bird to enjoy. You should also make sure you buy different toys for simulation, destruction and preening so that your bird will never become bored and will stay a happy bird.

If you read this article and found it helpful, consider stopping by my website
http://www.BirdToys.com

You can also find me and over 17,500+ other parrot owners at http://www.BirdBoard.com where you can ask questions and get immediate feedback.

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A Tutorial on Finding Dependable Pet Parrot Advice
By Leeanne Gallaway

Are you looking for sources of trustworthy advice about you pet parrot? Owning a parrot can be confusing and raise lots of questions, especially for beginners. There are many places to find well-intentioned advice, but when you need solid answers about your pet there are a few great resources that you can really depend on.

Avian Veterinarians: If you own a pet bird, you should have an Avian Veterinarian. These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating birds of all varieties. Your avian vet is the best place to ask any questions you might have about the care of your bird. They may even have literature in their offices.

Zookeepers/Aviary Workers: These people are also highly trained in everything bird related. After all, it’s their job to care for all kinds of birds at one time. Many lead guided tours where you can learn about bird behavior, habitats, feeding and more. This is a great way to get a close look at healthy birds and ask questions.

Non-profit Organizations for Animals: There are a few bird rescue groups who have a wealth of reliable information about the care of your bird. They can refer you to many avian veterinarians as well as literature on bird care. They are there to help!

Books and Magazines: Try to look for books and magazines that are written by people who are either veterinarians or have many years of experience caring for birds. This is an excellent resource when you have a specific question about feeding, safety, training, or if your bird just doesn’t seem to be acting normal to you. Remember to call your avian vet if you think your bird is ill.

The sources listed above are wonderful places to find out more about caring for your pet bird that you know you can trust. Owning a parrot or other bird can be a rewarding experience with the right tools for success.

I have been a bird owner for four years. Please consult an avian vet if you think your bird is ill. If you enjoyed this information, please visit my blog for more here.

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Why Your African Grey Parrot Needs Calcium Supplements
By Azmi Adnan

Feeding the right food is the most important aspect of owning an African Grey parrot. The right diet will determine the health and stress level of your parrot and its ability to be trained to talk. Unlike other birds, different African Greys eat different kinds of food. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they all have the same diet patterns. If you own more than one African Grey parrot, feeding them can prove a challenge. Just like humans, they have their own preferences. But if you acquire your bird from young, say twelve weeks old, getting them used to feeding a certain kind of food can be fairly advantageous.

Some African Greys will eat soft fruit and others will only eat hard fruits. Some will eat vegetables and others will not. Try giving your parrots a variety of fruits and vegetables and see what they like best, and stick to it. But do give them a good balance of calcium because a lot of African Greys who fell sick seem to lack calcium in their diet. You can get calcium from from hard boiled eggs, watercress, spinach, blackberries or natural yogurt.

If your parrot doesn’t seem to want to eat any of these calcium based food, try giving them calcium supplements three times a week, mixed into their food bowl. Do not mix the calcium supplements into the water bowl because some greys may not drink water in a twenty-four hour period because they already had their water intake from eating fruits. A good calcium diet will ensure that your parrots have fine feather and are stress free. For breeding African Greys, calcium is good for producing healthy eggs.

A healthy diet is important for an African Grey because it will minimise feather plucking and squeaking, both symptoms of stress in a bird. A healthy diet produces a healthy mind and your parrot will respond well to speech training.

Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html

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Do You Feel Guilty About Keeping an African Grey in a Cage?
By Azmi Adnan

If you have an African Grey parrot, or any other pet bird for that matter, it is going to spend most of its life in a cage. It is like putting the bird in a prison for its entire life. “But wait a minute”, you would say, “a parrot is only a bird.” Yes it’s only a bird, an animal that has been given wings to fly free. Wings that no other animals or humans are privileged to have. And yet, humans keep birds in a cage preventing them from flying.

If you feel guilty of keeping a pet parrot, don’t. Under captivity, a parrot is leading a better life and may live to its full lifetime of 80 years, outliving its own master. In the wild, a parrot may not survive that long. While we acknowledge that it is a beautiful thing to fly and live free, the jungle or forest where most wild parrots are found, are not exactly a haven. Parrots are exposed to all kinds of dangers in the wild. Firstly there is man, who hunts birds for food and don’t care if the bird they catch is a chicken or a parrot. If it was a parrot, he would probably sell it for more money than a chicken considering that a parrot in some countries can be considered exotic. Then there are also poachers, who hunt bird species for their medicinal value that they think the bird possesses or sell them to bird markets who in turn sell the birds to people who have no desire to keep birds as pets.

Besides man, the jungle community itself poses a lot of danger. There are the bigger birds that prey on smaller species. And then there are monkeys to share a tree with. With land clearing that is rampant as more and more countries industrialize and modernize, parrots are losing their natural habitat. The birds are competing with other creatures in the wild for food, not to mention with other birds. It is survival of the fittest, and only the strongest survive.

Then there are diseases. How does a parrot cure itself of a disease, or injury, in the wild? It doesn’t. Most birds die when inflicted with injury or illness. And what happens to their young chicks or eggs when a mother parrot dies? Unlike humans, there are no bird orphanages in the wild. They either fend for themselves or they die too, by hunger or by being eaten by other bigger creatures.

So if you feel guilty keeping your pet parrot and denying it the freedom to fly, think of the good side. What are the chances of your pet parrot living a full happy life in the wild? Your parrot is enjoying life in a cozy home with a great master, feeding on bird food full of nutrients not found in the wild. The love and attention that your bird gets from your friends and visitors, unequal any that they would get living in the jungles of the Amazon or Central Africa. The toys that they get to play with and the professional vets that take care of their health are privileges only found in captivity. If your parrot can speak to you, I am certain it would thank you for giving it a fun, safe and fulfilling life.

Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html

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African Grey Parrot, What You Need To Know First
By Azmi Adnan

There are two sub-species of the African Grey parrot – they are the known as the Congo African Grey – with light grey feathers, deep red tails and black beaks, and the Timneh African Grey, which are smaller in size with a darker charcoal grey color, a darker maroon tail, and a colored horn beak. There is also the lesser known species known as the Ghana African Grey which is similar to the Congo but smaller in size and darker in color and then there is the rare Cameroon African Grey.

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. When bored, African Greys have the tendency to pluck their own feathers to amuse themselves. In cold climates, this can really affect the bird in keeping themselves warm.

The African Grey parrot is considered the most talented in the parrot family with their ability to mimic human tonality. This is the reason why they are much sought after parrots by bird enthusiasts to keep as pets and also the reason why their prices are much higher than other species of parrots. They are very challenging pets to keep as they don’t like to be petted upon, are also temperamental and may bite hard if stroked. They are lifelong buddies to their owners because of their longevity and it is not uncommon to see these parrots changing hands when their owners give up on them.

African Greys are commonly being bred by breeders for sale due to their high demand. More and more pet owners are finding the joy of keeping these parrots after watching the famous Einstein the talking African Grey parrot and of course, the late Alex as well.

Unlike cats and dogs, it is not a good idea to have African Greys around families with children as these birds bite. Their beaks and claws are sharp and can injure a child, or even older adults. Whatever species of parrot you intend to buy, remember that they require commitment and dedication to upkeep and you need lots and lots of patience nurturing them.

Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html

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