Why did Helen stop plucking her African grey parrot?
When she collected herself she explained to me that, about a year before, Margo started plucking and hasn’t stopped. Helen isn’t the type to care that her bird is plucked. Her ego wasn’t involved and this only served to strengthen her love for Margo.
How can I Stop my African grey parrot’s feather?
Don’t give up. Try anything and everything. Most importantly, don’t disregard certain ideas because it seems crazy that such a little thing might have such a big effect on your bird. When you have tried everything, go back again and do the things you passed by the first time.
Who is the woman with the African grey parrot?
I had a long conversation about 6 months ago with a woman that I had known for years from bird forums I was active on. I always looked forward to her posts because her perspective on life was so unique. She has an african grey parrot that we’ll call “Margo” that provided her with endless stories to share.
How to treat feather picking in African grey parrots?
Give your bird daily baths. Your bird needs regular baths with room temperature water to keep it clean and healthy. You should also take it into the bathroom while you shower so that it is exposed to warm, moist air that will help keep its skin from being too dry. Include a bird bath in your bird’s cage, or try spritzing it using a spray bottle.
When do the feathers come out of an African grey?
After the baby molt, all the feathers basically come out on the second molt which will occur at about 18 months of age. During the secondary molt, all the baby feathers are replaced by adult feathers. If you take a look at your African grey’s tail after the molt you’ll see that end of baby tail feathers kind of almost look smudged or black.
How long does it take for an African grey to molt?
The inner wing feathers will follow. Next the tail feathers onto the contour feathers and so on. An African grey gets it’s shape and coloring from the contour feathers which are the outermost ones on their bodies. That first molt can take up to three years.
Why do African Greys have a lot of down?
In a simplified way yes, the new feathers push out the old feathers. Usually, downy feathers in healthy parrots are used to stay warm in a cool environment. Duster birds like cockatoos, African greys and cockatiels have down that disintegrates. The resulting dust creates a lubricant and waterproof substance.
What kind of disease does an African grey have?
One condition common to African Greys is hypocalcaemia, a syndrome associated with low calcium levels. It is the commonest cause of seizures and central nervous disease in the breed so it is important to be aware of it.
Why does my African grey make a grinding noise?
Beak Grinding: A soft grinding noise where the African Grey slides its lower mandible (beak) and tongue against the upper mandible. Beak grinding is a sign of contentment and is usually heard as your African Grey falls asleep. Some experts believe that African Greys, and other birds grind their beaks to keep them in good condition.
Why does my African grey shake his head?
In the majority of the cases, when an African Grey shakes his head or body or chest or tail or feathers, it’s because they are feeling certain emotions. However, at any moment if you’re in doubt consult with an avian vet.
One condition common to African Greys is hypocalcaemia, a syndrome associated with low calcium levels. It is the commonest cause of seizures and central nervous disease in the breed so it is important to be aware of it.
Beak Grinding: A soft grinding noise where the African Grey slides its lower mandible (beak) and tongue against the upper mandible. Beak grinding is a sign of contentment and is usually heard as your African Grey falls asleep. Some experts believe that African Greys, and other birds grind their beaks to keep them in good condition.
In the majority of the cases, when an African Grey shakes his head or body or chest or tail or feathers, it’s because they are feeling certain emotions. However, at any moment if you’re in doubt consult with an avian vet.
Why do African Greys flap their wings so much?
Wing flapping: Flapping their wings, or flying in place, is a great form of exercise for your African Grey. It can also be used to get your attention or just to display happiness. African Greys and other birds often lift their wings as a means to stretch or to cool themselves off.
How did Helen get rid of her parrot Margo?
After a lot of red tape, she wound up in Helen’s care. There is no telling what Margo went through in either of her former homes, and no one will ever know, but throughout the ordeal that followed her rescue, Margo surprised everyone with her resillience and willingness to forgive. Helen was smitten and Margo had a great new permanent home.
Where was Margo the African grey parrot found?
About 10 years ago, the police found Margo in a cage in the back of a closet of a known drug house.The police believe a user had traded her for drugs. After a lot of red tape, she wound up in Helen’s care.
How big does a conure parrot get to be?
These small to medium parrots with long tail feathers range in size to just under 10 inches to just over 20 inches, depending on the conure species. Conures are native to South America. Conures are active birds and need a spacious cage to move about and to accommodate toys.
How old does a jenday conure bird get?
The colorful head appears only in the mature bird, so you should cut a photo of an adult Jenday out of a book or magazine and display it next to your juvenile Jendays, which will be primarily green with mottled yellow heads until they are about 2 years old.
Why are conures so popular as pet birds?
There’s a reason why conures are popular pet companions; these spunky and often comical parrots come in a range of eye-catching colors and have equally colorful personalities. Conures are one of the more varied groups of parrots.
Can a conure parrot talk to other parrots?
Conures are capable talking and, although their vocabularies are not as extensive as that of other parrot species, they can learn to speak a few words and phrases. Conures can be prone to feather picking. If a complete medical exam rules out medical causes of feather plucking, boredom and/or lack of appropriate mental stimulation can be a cause.
When she collected herself she explained to me that, about a year before, Margo started plucking and hasn’t stopped. Helen isn’t the type to care that her bird is plucked. Her ego wasn’t involved and this only served to strengthen her love for Margo.
Is there such a thing as an African grey parrot?
Alyson is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience working professionally with birds, and over 3 years as a veterinary technician. African grey parrots have been pets for thousands of years—there are records of these birds as household pets in biblical times.
What’s the difference between tinmeh and Congo grey parrots?
Congos are about a third larger than Timnehs. Congo African greys boast shiny black beaks and bright red tail feathers, while Tinmeh greys have horn-colored mandibles and deep maroon tailfeathers. You can tell males and females apart once the birds reach adolescence, at least 18 months of age.
About 10 years ago, the police found Margo in a cage in the back of a closet of a known drug house.The police believe a user had traded her for drugs. After a lot of red tape, she wound up in Helen’s care.
Why does my African grey parrot keep picking its feathers?
If your African grey parrot is plucking out its feathers, then you’re probably concerned about your bird’s health. Excessive feather picking is a common ailment in African grey parrots. The birds often do it in response to feeling stressed, depressed, and unstimulated.
If your African grey parrot is plucking out its feathers, then you’re probably concerned about your bird’s health. Excessive feather picking is a common ailment in African grey parrots. The birds often do it in response to feeling stressed, depressed, and unstimulated.
I had a long conversation about 6 months ago with a woman that I had known for years from bird forums I was active on. I always looked forward to her posts because her perspective on life was so unique. She has an african grey parrot that we’ll call “Margo” that provided her with endless stories to share.
What are the symptoms of an African grey parrot?
Symptoms that may indicate the illness include difficulty in breathing as the liver takes up more space inside the body than it should, the abdomen becomes distended and the droppings change colour or consistency. Feather changes have also been noted, such as the growth of red feathers in African Greys and dry, itchy skin patches can develop.
Why do African grey parrots pluck their feathers?
However, if your African Grey or Cockatoo (or any other parrot) is plucking out it’s feathers, the cause may be something that only your avian veterinarian can identify and treat. Work with your veterinarian to try to improve the issue.
Are there signs of illness in African grey parrots?
Signs of Possible Illness in an African Grey parrot, by their genetic background, tend to hide their weaknesses.so it’s very hard to determine Signs of Possible Illness in an African Grey parrot. But a perfectly normal behavior since predators are primarily interested in the weakest animals.
