African Grey Parrots

Lesson 2: Buying an African Grey Parrot

Choosing a Healthy Bird

The first place to look in your search for a healthy bird is its plumage. If the feathers on the tail of a red tailed grey are dark or dull there is a possibility that the bird either has been or is ill. Twisted or stunted feathers, especially on the breast should send up a red flag. Evidence that feathers are missing due to plucking should be noted. Disease, stress and even sexual frustration can bring on feather ripping. It will take patience and understanding to stop this destructive behavior, no matter the cause. Another indicator of disease, especially the deadly Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, is the beak. If it has a brownish hue instead of the solid black or if it seems in anyway malformed be cautious. (Remember, the Timneh grey has a horn colored beak. This is not to be confused with the brown color of disease). Ideally the bird’s plumage should be sleek but can appear dull if it hasn’t had the opportunity to bathe.

The eyes should be bright and clear with no swelling or discharge. You can actually tell a lot by a bird’s eyes, especially the greys. If the bird is healthy and curious about who you are and what you are about it will tilt its head and give you the once over. The eyes will snap with brightness and you can almost see the brain working on ways to either frustrate you or let you know it’s interested in becoming friends.

The nostrils should be clear and both the same size. Long term infections can cause one nostril to be larger than the other. If you are buying a parrot from a household where there was cigarette smoke be especially mindful of the nostrils.

The feet of the African Grey should be checked for swelling. For some reason they seem to be prone to infection in this area, or it could be caused by a lack of enough B vitamins in its food. If you encounter this problem and still want the bird, ask your avian vet for advice in treating the condition.

A good indicator of a healthy bird can be found by looking at its breast bone. It should be reasonably plump with no hollows on either side. It shouldn’t appear fat, neither should it be so prominent that you can feel it or see it protruding.

Keep in mind when you are assessing an African grey that they are noted tricksters. If someone in the house has been ill with a cough or cold, you might hear the bird coughing too. Actually they can’t cough but will sound so realistic that you will believe them to be sick. My grey loves to mimic sneezes, moans, yawns or any human sound that strikes his fancy.

Normally the greys are very healthy birds. If given a good diet, attention, regular baths, and conditions that are not too cold or too hot they shouldn’t present major illness. It is always wise, however, to take a newly purchased bird to your avian veterinarian as soon as possible. A few blood tests will let you know if you can expect any problems that didn’t show up in your own evaluation.

If you have other birds in your home be sure and isolate the new arrival until you have had the chance to have it examined.

  1  2  3