African Greys are
very observant little creatures and love a routine. Because of this,
any small amount of change around the house usually prompts at least a
startled stare.
When we purchased our birds we were living full
time in a motor home and traveling. Therefore, these guys learned from
a
very early age to adjust to different surroundings and sudden changes.
As
they learned to talk, they would let us know how they felt about
certain little things during our travels such as the time I hit a huge
pothole in the road heading to somewhere and they bounced around a bit
in their cages. Suddenly Carlie blurted out "WHOA! What
was THAT!?"
As
a rule though greys do NOT adjust well to change. One must be careful
to accept the fact that any small amount of change (such as the
introduction of a new toy or moving their cage to a new location) must
be done with patience and understanding.
Greys require a cage
big enough whereby they can flap their wings without hitting the bars
and one that has lots of climbing and playing room. Several high
quality bird toys inside the cage are also a must.
Locate your
greys cage away from direct sunlight, drafts, air conditioning and any
heat source. A corner of the living room is a good place for a grey so
long as he can see you during your daily routine.
Talk to your
grey and include him in some of your routine. Ours help us get ready in
the morning, help with preparing their food cups, play games, cook a
meal, etc.
Greys love to be outside of their cages and a play
perch or small tree branch shaped perch located nearby will provide
your bird with lots of exercise and a place to feel as if they are in
their natural environment.
Temperature and humidity are also a
consideration. The greys natural environment is a mild temperature with
fairly high humidity. Temperatures in the 70's are fine for a grey, but
if you live in a drier climate, you will want to consider a humidifier
to add moisture to the surrounding air. Next>>
The
African Grey And Their Environment
