The Basics:

True avian Einsteins, African Greys need a lot of attention, stimulation and human interaction to keep their high-powered brains humming smoothly. Anyone who purchases one of these great birds owes it to themselves and their pet to invest time in training. African Grey’s are reputed to have the emotional maturity of a 2-year-old human, and the intelligence of a 5-year-old, and can become a rewarding companion for a dedicated caretaker. Although they enthusiastically enjoy human interactions, some African Greys are leery of very demonstrative physical contact. Creatures of habit, they will become upset when there are changes to their routine, and at these times can become prone to feather plucking.

Cage:

African Greys need plenty of space, so a cage measuring at least 36” long, by 30” wide, by 36” high is recommended. (When young, however, a smaller cage may be best to prevent injuries due to clumsiness.) An African Grey that is left home alone in his cage for hours a day should have a bigger cage than one that is given lots of time out of the cage. Like many other parrots, African Greys like to forage on the bottom of their cage. For this reason, it’s important to house them in a cage that offers horizontal as well as vertical space. The bottom of the African Grey’s cage should have wire grating, this will protect the pet from foraging in its own waste.

The bar spacing should be no wider than ¾” for the Timneh and 1” for the Congo. No bird should ever be able to place his or her head through the bars of a cage. At least some of the bars should be horizontal to allow climbing. The bars should also be thick so an African Grey cannot destroy them. Cages should have a secure locking mechanism, since this intelligent bird is an accomplished escape artist.

CAUTION
In most cases, more space is more desirable for birds. However, when increasing the size of an African Grey’s cage, the bird’s human companion must be careful to maintain a safe (narrow) space between the bars. The bars of a cage have to be narrow enough to prevent a bird from sticking his head in between. Bars that are spaced too far apart for the bird’s size can result in serious,s and even fatal, injuries.

Positioning The Cage:

These smart, inquisitive birds do best when their cage is positioned in an area that's busy with family activity. However, to provide the African Grey with a sense of security, it's best if this area offers a sense of security too. This can be accomplished by positioning the cage in an alcove or in area that has a wall on one or two sides of the cage. As a good rule of thumb, no family member should be able to walk all the way around an African Grey's cage.

If there is a lot of night-time activity in the room that houses the cage, such as a TV going after 9 pm, the African Grey should be provided with a small sleeping cage in another, quieter room. Another alternative is to have a cage on wheels, so it can be moved to a quiet area at night. It is critically important that the bird be provided with at least 10-12 hours of quiet undisturbed sleep time each night. The cage can be covered at night. This cover should be washed weekly, since it will accumulate feather dust. An African Grey's cage should never be placed in the kitchen, since fumes from cooking can prove fatal. The cage should also never be placed in direct sunlight or draft.

Playthings:

Toys are crucial to an African Grey’s psychological and physical well being. These big, powerful birds need toys that are built to stand up to them. Toys designed for small birds will be destroyed quickly by African Greys and pose a choking hazard. Mirrors should not be included in an African Grey's cage, since they will be easily broken. All African Grey toys should be checked for choking hazards, such as parts that can break off, and entrapment hazards, parts that can entangle the birds. New toys may intimidate African Greys. It is best to add only one new toy at a time and leave enough time for him to get used to it before adding another. A large bell is a favorite.

Perches:

The African Grey needs a variety of perches in its cage. Perches should be made of different materials and have different diameters, ranging from ¾” to 1”. Position perches at different heights in the African Grey's cage. Ideally one or two perches should be high in the cage, while other perches are placed in front of food and water bowls. Inspect perches daily for soiling and damage, and clean regularly. At least one of the perches in an African Grey's cage should be made of a hardwood like manzanita or guava. The perches in the cage of a young (under 16 weeks) African Grey's cage should be placed at a low level, and moved up over time as the bird becomes more confident. Only birds that regularly have their nails trimmed should be given a rope perch; otherwise there is a danger of getting a nail caught in the rope. A concrete perch can help keep an African Grey’s nails trim, but if this kind of perch is placed in a cage, the bird’s feet should be inspected regularly by her human companion to make sure that there is no irritation or scratches caused by the concrete.

Play Time Outside The Cage:

Highly intelligent birds, African Greys should be given ample time outside their cage to explore their home and bond with their human companions. A minimum of two hours a day outside the cage is recommended. Providing a large bird-sized play gym, T-stand and climbing tree in different areas of the home will enrich an African Grey's life.

Grooming:

Consult veterinarian or literature about trimming nails and possibly flight feathers.

Pellets should make up at least 65% of an African Grey’s diet. Follow guidelines on pellet package, common sense and veterinary advice to determine portion size, since this will vary depending on the bird's age, activity level, metabolism and other factors. Between 15-30% of the diet can consist of fresh and rinsed vegetables such as greens, legumes and corn on the cob. Fruit should make up less than 5% of the diet, but avocados, onions and fruit seeds must be avoided completely, since they can be toxic. For this reason, fruit should be cut and the seeds/pits removed before being offered to an African Grey. All fruits and vegetables should be rinsed, dried and cut into appropriately sized pieces before being offered to this bird. Uneaten food should be removed after 30 minutes. Always follow feeding instructions on pellet products. Seeds and nuts can be used as a rare treat, but should never be considered part of an African Grey's diet, since they have such a high fat content and lack many essential nutrients. Contrary to a popular myth, African Greys, like all parrots (but unlike canaries and finches), do not need grit to help them grind down their food in the gizzard. It's a good idea not to offer an African Grey any grit, since it can become impacted in the digestive tract. African Greys are more susceptible than most birds to calcium deficiencies, so care should be taken to ensure that they obtain enough calcium through their diet. An African Grey must have access to clean, fresh chlorine-free water at all times. Filtered water is preferable to tap water, since it does not have chlorine. The water in an African Grey's bowl should be replaced at least twice a day so it stays clean. (By some estimates, the bacteria content in a bowl doubles every 2-3 hours. Stainless steel bowls are recommend over plastic, because they are easier to clean and do not retain bacteria. African Greys that are let outside their cage should have access to chlorine-free water near their playpens, T-stands or other out-of-the-cage area. Food and water bowls should be washed and thoroughly rinsed every day.

Lighting:

A 3-7% UVB full spectrum bulb can be placed over the cage. (Distance from the upper perch should be 12” or less.) In some environments, African Greys are known to have problems with calcium metabolism and UVB light will enhance Vitamin D² conversion to Vitamin D³.