African Grey Care and Feeding

The costly mistake with a grey is an all-seed diet. Seed is low in calcium and vitamin D3, and the African grey is the parrot most prone to clinical hypocalcaemia, or low blood calcium, which can cause weakness, falling off the perch and seizures. The fix is not simply pouring calcium in, because over-supplementing calcium or vitamin D causes its own harm. Feed a balanced pellet base with calcium-rich leafy greens, offer a cuttlebone, allow safe access to natural light or a bird UVB lamp so the body can use that calcium, and have your vet check blood calcium at the annual exam. The second mistake is too much fruit and too many fatty seeds like sunflower and peanuts, which crowd out the vegetables a grey needs.

Greys need a large, sturdy cage with room to climb, stretch and flap, plus several hours out of the cage each day. They are intelligent and bore easily, so provide plenty of foraging and destructible toys and rotate them often to prevent stress-plucking, a problem greys are known for. Give quiet, dark sleep each night, and where you can, allow safe access to natural sunlight or a bird UVB lamp, which helps a grey use dietary calcium.

African greys are sensitive and form strong bonds, but they are also cautious and can be shy with strangers or startled by sudden change. Introduce new people, foods and toys gradually, keep routines steady, and use calm, positive handling to build trust. A well-socialised grey is gentle and deeply attached; a neglected or bored one can pluck its feathers, so daily interaction and mental work matter as much as diet.